Plugin
Updated
Meta Box Include Exclude
Meta Box Include Exclude by MetaBox is an extension for the Meta Box plugin that controls where your meta boxes show up in the WordPress admin. You set conditions such as post IDs, page templates, categories or user roles, and each meta box appears only where it belongs.
- Version
- 1.1.2
- Released
- Jul 15, 2025
- Developer
- Meta Box
- Type
- WordPress plugin
- Requires
- Meta Box
- Licence
- GPL
- Included in
- Every plan, or $4.79 a year on its own
What’s new in Meta Box Include Exclude 1.1.2
Version 1.1.2 · Jul 15, 2025
Latest
- FixedFix term meta not saving
- NewAdd German translations
What it does
Custom fields tend to pile up on edit screens. A meta box built for a contact page template or for news posts has no reason to appear on every other post, yet by default it often does. This extension adds include and exclude rules to your Meta Box field groups, so editors and administrators see only the fields that apply to the content in front of them. The result is a tidier admin area with less guesswork for the people entering content.
Rules are built from pre-built conditions covering post IDs, page templates, categories, tags, custom taxonomies, user roles and parent posts or parent categories. You can combine several conditions with AND or OR logic to form more detailed rule sets. When the built-in options are not enough, you can write a custom PHP function that decides when a meta box displays. It works alongside the Meta Box plugin, which it requires, and pairs with the MB User Meta extension for rules based on user roles, IDs or capabilities.
Best for
- WordPress developers building custom fields with Meta Box
- Agencies setting up client sites with tailored admin screens
- Content-heavy sites with many templates and post categories
Features
Include or exclude meta boxes
Decide exactly where each meta box shows up, so fields appear only on the posts, pages or custom post types where they are relevant.
AND and OR logic
Combine multiple conditions with logical AND or OR operators to build detailed visibility rules for a single meta box.
Pre-built conditions
Target meta boxes by post IDs, page templates, categories, tags, custom taxonomies and user roles without writing any rule logic yourself.
Parent-based rules
Link visibility to hierarchy using parent post IDs or parent categories, so child content can inherit the fields you want shown.
User-based conditions
Works with the MB User Meta extension to show or hide meta boxes based on user roles, user IDs or capabilities for role-based editing.
Custom PHP functions
Write your own conditional PHP function when your project needs display logic that goes beyond the built-in rules.
Term meta support
Rules apply to taxonomy term meta boxes as well, helping keep category and tag edit screens limited to the fields they need.
Meta Box Include Exclude older versions
- 1.1.1Apr 14, 20241 fix
- 1.1.0Apr 12, 20241 new
- 1.0.13Mar 21, 20241 improvement
- 1.0.12Dec 10, 2023
- 1.0.11Apr 18, 2023
Members and buyers of this product can download older versions.
Questions about Meta Box Include Exclude
Does this work on its own or do I need Meta Box?
It is an extension for the Meta Box plugin, so Meta Box needs to be active on your site. Meta Box Include Exclude adds visibility rules to the meta boxes you create with it.
Can I show a meta box only on one page template?
Yes. Page templates are one of the built-in conditions, so you can set a meta box to appear only on, for example, a contact page template. You can also target specific post IDs, categories, tags or custom taxonomies.
Can I combine several conditions in one rule?
Yes. Conditions can be joined with AND or OR operators, letting you require all of them to match or just one. This makes it possible to build fairly detailed rules, such as posts in a certain category edited by a certain role.
What if the built-in conditions do not cover my case?
You can write a custom PHP function that returns whether a meta box should display. This gives developers full control over the logic when the pre-built options for posts, templates, taxonomies and users are not enough.
Is Meta Box Include Exclude free?
The code of Meta Box Include Exclude is licensed under the GPL, so anyone may use, change and share it. GPL Feast is a paid service: a plan or a single purchase gives you the download and automatic updates. The developer's own support, licence key and online services are not included.
Which version of Meta Box Include Exclude is this?
Version 1.1.2, released Jul 15, 2025. New versions appear here when the developer publishes them, and members get them as automatic updates.
How do I update Meta Box Include Exclude?
Install the free GPL Feast Updater on your site and connect it with your API key. It installs new versions of Meta Box Include Exclude automatically and keeps a backup, so you can roll back.
What does Meta Box Include Exclude need?
Meta Box Include Exclude needs Meta Box installed and active.
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