How to Convert Custom Fields from Text to Array?

Question

I want to convert my old post data containing custom fields that are stored in a text format like : name , url $ name, url $ name, url etc.

I want convert that data and store the new data as an array in a new custom field.
Does anyone know how this can be done?

I want to store that data so that I can use the data with this Gist: Repeatable Custom Fields in a Metabox (Author: Helen Hou-Sandi)

Answer 1

Essentially, you need to build an update method for your posts.

The Basics

Your update method needs to get the data of the custom fields, create a new array, and then store that data.

if ( get_post_meta( $post_ID, 'updated', true ) != 1 ) :
$old_data = get_post_custom( $post_ID );
$new_data = array(
     'name' => $old_data[ 'name' ],
     'url'  => $old_data[ 'url' ]
);

Then, store that data in post meta - it will be serialized.

update_post_meta( 'custom_data', serialize( $new_data ) );

Then, remove the old fields and set a flag to show you've updated:

delete_post_meta( $post_ID, 'name' );
delete_post_meta( $post_ID, 'url' );
update_post_meta( $post_ID, 'updated', 1 );
endif;

As for integrating this with the plugin you linked to ... there's a bit more you need to do to get that set up. I leave that as a project for you.

Update: Splitting an existing string

According to your comments, the existing data isn't stored in separate custom fields, but in a single custom field like name, url $ name, url $ name, url. You can split this string into a few arrays and iterate through it to create your new data.

$oldData = "name1, url1 $ name2, url2 $ name3, url3";
$newData = array();
$dataArrays = explode( " $ ", $oldData );

// $dataArrays = ["name1, url1", "name2, url2", "name3, url3"];

foreach( $dataArrays as $dataArray ) {
    $separated = explode( ", ", $dataArray );
    // $separated = ["name1", "url1"];

    array_push( $newData, array(
        'name' => $separated[0],
        'url'  => $separated[1]
    ) );
}

/* $newData = array(
       array(
           'name' => 'name1',
           'url' => 'url1'
       ),
       array(
           'name' => 'name2',
           'url' => 'url2'
       ),
       array(
           'name' => 'name3',
           'url' => 'url3'
       )
   );
*/