the_tags() : display the tags by the order they are typed in in the backend, not alphabetically

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I’m using WordPress’ the_tags() to display the tags of each post on a single side. What I intend to do is to display the tags by the order they are typed in in the backend, and not by alphabetical order. The WordPress codex doesn’t seem to have an argument to sort the_tags() and the output is always in alphabetical order.

Does anyone of you have a tip?

1 Answer
1

Follow the White Rabbit:

  1. the_tags()
  2. get_the_tag_list()
  3. get_the_term_list()
  4. get_the_terms()
  5. wp_get_object_terms()

If you look through that last function, you should see this:

$defaults = array('orderby' => 'name', 'order' => 'ASC', 'fields' => 'all');

You should have alphabetical order by default. And no, there are no filters I see that would allow you to directly alter the query, but there are several filters along that rabbit hole. The wp_get_object_terms filter looks like a good one to me.

// you will probably need to run this once to reset the cache
// wp_cache_flush();

function id_ordered_tags_wpse_144703($terms, $object_ids, $taxonomies, $args) {

  $taxonomies = explode(',',$taxonomies); // quoted and comma seperated string

  if (1 < count($taxonomies) && !in_array("'post_tag'",$taxonomies)) return $terms;

  $sorted = array();
  foreach ($terms as $term) {
    $sorted[$term->term_id] = $term;
  }

  ksort($sorted);

  return $sorted;
}
add_filter('wp_get_object_terms','id_ordered_tags_wpse_144703',10,4);

// test it
the_tags();

Where you add that code depends on context. In function.php would work but would work but would be restricted only to the theme you add the code to, which I am guessing is correct in this case. Don’t include the the_tags() line. That is just for testing.

A plugin file or mu-plugin file would allow the filter to work for any theme. I doubt that is the intent, and it strikes me a bit unfriendly anyway as it. Again, don’t include the the_tags() line.

You can actually add the code exactly as written in the spot you want to use the_tags(), though that is a messy way to do it.

The code hooks into WordPress Core functions. It will run whenever the wp_get_object_terms filter runs. You don’t have to do anything special besides add the filter callback to the queue, which you do with add_filter.

You can get more control over when the filter runs by adding it when you need it and removing it afterwards:

add_filter('wp_get_object_terms','id_ordered_tags_wpse_144703',10,4);
// test it
the_tags();
remove_filter('wp_get_object_terms','id_ordered_tags_wpse_144703',10);

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