> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/nk-crew/visual-portfolio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manual Selection

> Manually curate content by selecting specific posts, portfolio items, or pages

Manual Selection allows you to handpick specific posts, portfolio items, pages, or any post type to display in your Visual Portfolio. This gives you complete control over which items appear and their display order.

## Overview

Manual selection is configured using the `ids` posts source:

```php theme={null}
array(
    'content_source' => 'post-based',
    'posts_source' => 'ids',
    'posts_ids' => array(123, 456, 789, 234)
)
```

The order of IDs in the array determines the display order (when using `post__in` ordering).

## Configuration

### Post Type

When using manual selection, the post type is automatically set to `any`:

From `/classes/class-get-portfolio.php:1598-1604`:

```php theme={null}
if ('ids' === $options['posts_source']) {
    $query_opts['post_type'] = 'any';  // Allow any post type
    $query_opts['post__not_in'] = array();  // Clear exclusions
    
    if (!empty($options['posts_ids'])) {
        $query_opts['post__in'] = $options['posts_ids'];
    }
    
    // Ignore sticky posts for manual selection
    $query_opts['ignore_sticky_posts'] = true;
}
```

<Note>
  Manual selection supports mixing different post types in a single gallery (posts, pages, portfolio items, etc.).
</Note>

### Selecting Posts

In the block editor, the Specific Posts control provides a searchable dropdown:

From `/classes/class-admin.php:1390-1407`:

```php theme={null}
Visual_Portfolio_Controls::register(array(
    'category'       => 'content-source-post-based',
    'type'           => 'select',
    'label'          => 'Specific Posts',
    'name'           => 'posts_ids',
    'default'        => array(),
    'searchable'     => true,   // Search by title
    'multiple'       => true,   // Select multiple posts
    'value_callback' => 'find_posts_select_control',  // Dynamic post loading
    'condition'      => array(
        array(
            'control' => 'posts_source',
            'value'   => 'ids',
        ),
    ),
));
```

The control:

* **Searches** posts by title across all post types
* **Displays** post title, post type, and status
* **Supports** drag-and-drop reordering
* **Loads** posts dynamically as you type

## Order Control

### Manual Order (post\_\_in)

To preserve your selection order, use `post__in` ordering:

```php theme={null}
array(
    'posts_source' => 'ids',
    'posts_ids' => array(789, 123, 456),  // Display in this exact order
    'posts_order_by' => 'post__in'
)
```

From `/classes/class-get-portfolio.php:1566-1567`:

```php theme={null}
case 'post__in':
    $query_opts['orderby'] = 'post__in';
    break;
```

### Other Sort Options

You can override manual order with other sorting:

```php theme={null}
array(
    'posts_source' => 'ids',
    'posts_ids' => array(123, 456, 789),
    'posts_order_by' => 'title',           // Sort alphabetically
    'posts_order_direction' => 'asc'
)
```

**Available order options:**

* `post__in` - Manual selection order (recommended)
* `post_date` - Publication date
* `title` - Alphabetical by title
* `modified` - Last modified date
* `id` - Post ID
* `comment_count` - Number of comments
* `rand` - Random order

<Note>
  Most users should use `post__in` ordering to respect their manual curation.
</Note>

## Excluded Features

When using manual selection, these features are **not available**:

### Excluded Posts

The excluded posts option is disabled:

From `/classes/class-admin.php:1418-1434`:

```php theme={null}
'condition' => array(
    array(
        'control'  => 'posts_source',
        'operator' => '!=',
        'value'    => 'ids',  // Hidden for manual selection
    ),
)
```

Reason: Simply don't include posts you want to exclude in your manual selection.

### Taxonomies

Taxonomy filtering is disabled for manual selection:

From `/classes/class-admin.php:1448-1464`:

```php theme={null}
'condition' => array(
    array(
        'control'  => 'posts_source',
        'operator' => '!=',
        'value'    => 'ids',
    ),
)
```

Reason: You're selecting specific posts, so filtering by category is redundant.

### Offset

The offset option is hidden:

From `/classes/class-admin.php:1604-1621`:

```php theme={null}
'condition' => array(
    array(
        'control'  => 'posts_source',
        'operator' => '!=',
        'value'    => 'ids',
    ),
)
```

Reason: Pagination handles offsetting automatically based on selected posts.

## Use Cases

### Featured Projects Portfolio

Handpick your best work:

```php theme={null}
array(
    'content_source' => 'post-based',
    'posts_source' => 'ids',
    'posts_ids' => array(789, 456, 123, 234, 567),
    'posts_order_by' => 'post__in',  // Preserve order
    'items_count' => 6
)
```

### Mixed Content Showcase

Combine different post types:

```php theme={null}
array(
    'content_source' => 'post-based',
    'posts_source' => 'ids',
    'posts_ids' => array(
        123,  // Portfolio item
        456,  // Regular post
        789,  // Page
        234,  // Another portfolio item
    ),
    'posts_order_by' => 'post__in'
)
```

### Curated Category Override

Manually select specific items from a category:

```php theme={null}
// Instead of showing all "Web Design" projects,
// manually select the best ones
array(
    'content_source' => 'post-based',
    'posts_source' => 'ids',
    'posts_ids' => array(101, 203, 305, 407),
    'posts_order_by' => 'post__in'
)
```

### Campaign Landing Page

Create a specific collection for a marketing campaign:

```php theme={null}
array(
    'content_source' => 'post-based',
    'posts_source' => 'ids',
    'posts_ids' => array(55, 72, 89, 91, 103, 115),
    'posts_order_by' => 'post__in',
    'items_count' => 6,
    'layout' => 'grid',
    'grid_columns' => 3
)
```

## Query Implementation

The manual selection query is built in `/classes/class-get-portfolio.php:1598-1607`:

```php theme={null}
if ('ids' === $options['posts_source']) {
    // Allow any post type
    $query_opts['post_type'] = 'any';
    
    // Clear excluded posts
    $query_opts['post__not_in'] = array();
    
    // Set specific post IDs
    if (!empty($options['posts_ids'])) {
        $query_opts['post__in'] = $options['posts_ids'];
    }
    
    // Ignore sticky posts (they would appear at top)
    $query_opts['ignore_sticky_posts'] = true;
}
```

### Final WP\_Query

The resulting query looks like:

```php theme={null}
$query = new WP_Query(array(
    'post_type'              => 'any',
    'post__in'               => array(123, 456, 789),
    'orderby'                => 'post__in',
    'posts_per_page'         => 6,
    'paged'                  => 1,
    'ignore_sticky_posts'    => true,
));
```

## Post Selection Control

The `find_posts_select_control` callback provides dynamic post searching:

```php theme={null}
public function find_posts_select_control($value, $control_name, $control_data) {
    $result = array();
    
    // Get posts matching search query
    $posts = get_posts(array(
        'post_type'      => 'any',
        'posts_per_page' => 20,
        's'              => $search_query,
        'post_status'    => array('publish', 'private', 'draft'),
    ));
    
    foreach ($posts as $post) {
        $result[] = array(
            'value' => $post->ID,
            'label' => $post->post_title . ' (' . $post->post_type . ')',
        );
    }
    
    return $result;
}
```

## Pagination

Manual selection supports pagination normally:

```php theme={null}
array(
    'posts_source' => 'ids',
    'posts_ids' => array(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12),
    'items_count' => 6,         // 6 per page
    'pagination' => 'paged'     // 2 pages total
)
```

Page 1 shows posts 1-6, Page 2 shows posts 7-12.

## Sticky Posts

Sticky posts are ignored in manual selection:

```php theme={null}
'ignore_sticky_posts' => true
```

This ensures your manual order isn't disrupted by WordPress's sticky post feature (which normally forces sticky posts to appear first).

## Empty Selection

If no posts are selected:

```php theme={null}
'posts_ids' => array()  // or empty
```

The portfolio displays the "No items found" message (configured in Content Source settings).

## Comparison with Other Sources

### Manual Selection vs. Post Query

| Feature            | Manual Selection     | Post Query              |
| ------------------ | -------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Post Selection** | Manual, specific IDs | Automatic, by criteria  |
| **Order**          | Manual or custom     | Automatic sorting       |
| **Post Types**     | Any, mixed           | Specific or set         |
| **Filtering**      | Not available        | Taxonomies, dates, etc. |
| **Updates**        | Static               | Dynamic                 |
| **Use Case**       | Curated collections  | Automated displays      |

### Manual Selection vs. Images

| Feature      | Manual Selection | Images               |
| ------------ | ---------------- | -------------------- |
| **Content**  | WordPress posts  | Media library images |
| **Metadata** | Post fields      | Custom fields        |
| **Updates**  | Static selection | Static gallery       |
| **URLs**     | Post permalinks  | Custom or image URLs |
| **Use Case** | Curated posts    | Image portfolios     |

## Best Practices

### 1. Use post\_\_in Ordering

Always use `post__in` ordering for manual selections:

```php theme={null}
'posts_order_by' => 'post__in'
```

### 2. Limit Selection Size

For performance, keep manual selections reasonable:

* **Recommended**: 10-50 posts
* **Maximum**: 100-200 posts

### 3. Mix Post Types Strategically

When mixing post types, ensure they have compatible metadata:

```php theme={null}
// Good: All have featured images
'posts_ids' => array(portfolio_id, post_id, page_id)

// Bad: Pages without featured images mixed with portfolio items
```

### 4. Use for Special Collections

Manual selection is ideal for:

* Featured work showcases
* Landing page portfolios
* "Best of" collections
* Client-specific galleries
* Event or campaign content

### 5. Document Your Selections

Add comments in your code or page documentation:

```php theme={null}
// Q1 2024 Featured Projects
'posts_ids' => array(123, 456, 789)
```

## Troubleshooting

### Posts Not Appearing

**Issue**: Selected posts don't display

**Solutions**:

1. Check post status (must be published)
2. Verify post IDs exist
3. Ensure user has permission to view posts
4. Check if posts have featured images (if required by item style)

### Wrong Order

**Issue**: Posts display in wrong order

**Solution**: Set order to `post__in`:

```php theme={null}
'posts_order_by' => 'post__in'
```

### Mixed Post Types Not Working

**Issue**: Only one post type appears

**Solution**: Ensure `post_type` is set to `any` (automatic with `ids` source).

## Related Resources

* [Posts Query](/sources/posts-query) - Dynamic post querying
* [Portfolio Items](/sources/portfolio-items) - Portfolio post type
* [Image Galleries](/sources/image-galleries) - Image-based content