Reference Field Types

Reference fields store a bare integer ID in the xProfile data table and show the target’s current name, so renames carry through automatically.

Types

• Group Reference (lh_xft-group): stores a BuddyPress group ID. A hidden group’s name is shown only to its members and to users with bp_moderate.
• Member Reference (lh_xft-member): stores a user ID.

Text fallback

Each field has an allow_text setting, off by default. When it is on, the field also accepts plain text, for values with no record to point at. A value made up only of digits is always treated as an ID.

Editing

Users with bp_moderate get a search box that looks up groups, or members of the current site. Anyone else sees the current name and cannot change it.

Deleted groups and members

Nothing runs when a group or member is deleted. The integer stays in the row and the lookup finds nothing, so the field shows blank. The search box shows empty for a dead reference, so the next save from it clears the value.

Account merges

The plugin registers a handler on LH User Identity’s lh_user_identity_merge_handlers filter. Before the secondary account is deleted, member references to it on every site are repointed to the primary account. A reference on the primary’s own profile that points at the secondary is removed. The handler does not move the secondary account’s own profile values.

Activation

The plugin must be network-activated. Calls that use site_id do not load site-activated plugins, so a field type registered by one is refused on those calls.