Rename an ACF field. Keep the data.
Field Migrations for ACF is a planned WordPress plugin for the part of ACF development that still means hand-written SQL: changing the structure of fields that already hold content — across local, staging and production.
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The problem
ACF's Local JSON keeps field definitions in sync through Git. But the moment you change the structure of a field that already has content, the data is left behind:
- Rename
subtitletotagline, and 1,240 existing values stay under the old meta key — templates now show nothing. - Move a field into a Group or Repeater, and its values no longer match the new storage format.
- Change a type — text to select, a single field to a repeater — and old values need converting.
- Delete a field, and its values become orphaned meta nobody knows is there.
Today that means a one-off SQL or WP-CLI script, written under pressure, run once on production, with a backup and crossed fingers.
What we are building
Migrations for ACF data, the way frameworks do database migrations: written once, previewed, repeatable on every environment.
See what changes
Compare field groups between Local JSON and the database, or between two sites — and see how much existing data each change affects.
Migrate the data
Renames, moves into groups and repeaters, type conversions — for posts, terms, users, options pages and ACF blocks.
Dry run first
Preview every value that will move before anything is written, with counts per post type.
Undo and backups
Affected values are backed up per migration and can be restored, without rolling back the whole database.
Find orphaned data
List values left behind by deleted or renamed fields, and clean them up safely.
WP-CLI for CI
Run the same migration on staging and production from your deploy pipeline, with a log of every run.
Help shape it
We are talking to developers and agencies before writing code. If ACF field changes have ever cost you an evening, we would love to hear how you handle them today — write to support@contentpolisher.com. Early testers get the Pro version free during the beta.
Field Migrations for ACF is an independent project and is not affiliated with Advanced Custom Fields or WP Engine. It is planned to support both Advanced Custom Fields and Secure Custom Fields.