Hidden Field
Purpose
The Hidden field type renders a hidden input that submits with the form. Choose a Hidden Value source so the field fills from page context, the logged-in user, a URL parameter, ACF, custom text, or (when WooCommerce is active) the current product.
When to use
- Pass page, post, or site context into entries, emails, or webhooks without showing an input.
- Capture campaign or referral data from the URL query string.
- Prefill product details on a WooCommerce product singular page.
- Attach logged-in user identity to a submission.
Key settings
- Field — Field Type: hidden, Field Title, Admin Title, Field ID.
- Hidden — Hidden Value (source), plus source-specific fields:
- Custom Hidden Value when source is Custom Text
- ACF Field when source is ACF Field
- Date/Time Format when source is Current Date/Time (optional PHP date format; leave empty to use WordPress date and time settings)
Hidden value sources
General sources
| Source | What it submits |
|---|---|
| Post/Page ID | ID of the current post or page |
| Post/Page Title | Title of the current post or page |
| Full URL (includes query string) | Full current request URL |
| Post Type | Current post type slug |
| Site Name | Site title from WordPress settings |
| Current Date/Time | Current site date/time (optional custom format) |
| Referrer URL | Referring URL when available |
| Page Name | Current page/post name |
| Page URL | Current page URL |
| Logged In Username | Username of the logged-in user |
| Logged In Display Name | Display name of the logged-in user |
| Logged In User Email | Email of the logged-in user |
| URL Parameter (matches Field ID) | Value from the query string key that matches this field’s Field ID |
| ACF Field | Value from the selected ACF field in the current context |
| Custom Text | Fixed text you enter in Custom Hidden Value |
WooCommerce product sources
When WooCommerce is active, these options appear in Hidden Value. They resolve only on a product singular page:
| Source | What it submits |
|---|---|
| Product: SKU | Product SKU |
| Product: ID | Product ID |
| Product: Name | Product name |
| Product: Price | Current price |
| Product: Regular Price | Regular price |
| Product: Sale Price | Sale price |
| Product: Stock Status | Stock status |
note
On non-product pages, WooCommerce hidden sources submit an empty value. Place product-context forms on the product template or singular product view.
Populate from a URL parameter
- Set Hidden Value to URL Parameter (matches Field ID).
- Set the field’s Field ID to the query key you expect (for example
campaign). - Open a URL such as
https://yoursite.com/landing/?campaign=summer.
The submitted value is summer. Other hidden sources are not overridden by the query string.
Current date/time format
When Hidden Value is Current Date/Time:
- Leave Date/Time Format empty to use the site’s WordPress date and time formats.
- Or enter a PHP date format string (for example
Y-m-d H:i) for a custom output.
Validation behavior
- Hidden fields always submit with the form; visitors do not edit them.
- Empty values usually mean the source has no context (guest user, missing ACF value, non-product page for WooCommerce sources, or missing URL parameter).
- Test the exact page type and user state where the form will run.
Common mistakes
- Choosing an ACF source that is not available on the current post or page.
- Expecting WooCommerce product sources to work on archive, cart, or non-product pages.
- Using URL Parameter without matching the query key to the Field ID.
- Assuming hidden values appear in the form UI for visitor confirmation.
Verify it works
- Submit a test entry on the same page type visitors will use.
- Open Form Entries (or your notification email / webhook payload) and confirm the hidden value.
- For WooCommerce sources, test on a product singular page with known SKU/price data.
- For URL parameters, load the form with the query string present and confirm the captured value.
What's Next
- Field mapping — Map hidden values into posts, users, or custom meta
- Email notification — Include hidden values in admin emails
- Webhooks — Send hidden context to external systems
- FAQ — Troubleshooting when values are missing