Choose the right facet type
Choose the simplest control that expresses the selection accurately. The source determines the data; the facet type determines the interaction.
Choice facets
| Type | Best use |
|---|---|
| Checkboxes | Several values may be selected and the choice list is short |
| Dropdown | One value from a compact list |
| Radio | One immediately visible value |
| Searchable select | A longer choice list that needs in-control search |
| Autocomplete | Visitors should type before suggestions appear |
| Color | A WooCommerce attribute represented by swatches |
The searchable select uses the same native control as searchable POM form fields and frontend WooCommerce selects, so its keyboard, multiple-selection, and search behavior stays consistent across the site.
Structured navigation
- Hierarchy exposes parent and child terms as drill-down choices.
- Hierarchy select presents hierarchical terms in a select control.
- A-Z reduces text-backed values by their initial character.
Use hierarchical types only with data that has a genuine parent-child structure. A-Z is intended for text sources, not numbers or coordinates.
Range and threshold facets
- Number range slider gives a visual minimum/maximum track.
- Number range uses explicit numeric inputs.
- Date range accepts date boundaries.
- Rating presents selectable rating levels.
Configure coherent minimum, maximum, step, decimal, prefix, and suffix values. Prefixes and suffixes are presentation; the indexed source must remain numeric.
Specialized facets
- Search filters by keyword and is limited to one per context.
- Not empty filters objects whose source contains a value.
- Proximity filters by an entered place and radius.
- Map displays locations and can optionally filter by the visible map bounds.
Selection behavior
For multi-value choice facets, OR means “match any selected value”; AND means “match every selected value.” Selection mode controls whether choices are included or excluded.
Use Zero-count choices to show them disabled, hide them, or leave them enabled. Showing impossible choices as enabled can be useful for exclusion workflows but needs careful testing.
After choosing a type, review its source and advanced options in Facets and data sources.