Thread

I have a template where I need to check whether an entry has related entries data. Normally, I would just use the {if no_related_entries} tag, but in this case, it won’t work.

If my main entry has a related entry, I need to output the {entry_id} of the related entry. If my main entry has no related entry, I need to output the {entry_id} of the main entry.

I tried this first, and it didn’t work:

{related_entries id="problem"}{entry_id}{if no_related_entries}{entry_id}{/if}{/related_entries}

and I tried this:

{if problem == ""}{entry_id}{/if}
{if problem != ""}{related_entries id="problem"}{entry_id}{/related_entries}{/if}

That didn’t work either. Is there a way to accomplish what I’m trying to do?

Hi aircrash,

I think I need to get some fuller context for what you’re working on here. Could you provide the full Channel Entries tag you’re working with?

Hi Kevin,

I got it working using the code below, with the full relationship field inside my if statements, but it doesn’t seem like the most efficient method of doing so, since I end up calling the related entries field three times. Is there a better way?

{exp:channel:entries channel="pages" fixed_order="{embed:entries}" dynamic="no" }
  {if "{related_entries id="problem"}{entry_id}{/related_entries}" == ""}
    <li><a href="http://{path=" title="">{title}</a></li>
  {if:else}
    <li><a href="http://{path=" title="">{title}</a></li>
  {/if}
{/exp:channel:entries}

Well, the relationship field, once called, isn’t going to add much overhead by being called again in the same tag. I’d be more worried about that embed within the fixed_order parameter value, honestly.

If the contents of your conditionals are more complex than the simple list item and link shown in your example, you might also want to use simple conditionals instead of an advanced conditional there within the tag, like so:

{exp:channel:entries channel="pages" fixed_order="{embed:entries}" dynamic="no" }
  {if "{related_entries id="problem"}{entry_id}{/related_entries}" == ""}
    <li><a href="http://{path=" title="">{title}</a></li>
  {/if}
  {if "{related_entries id="problem"}{entry_id}{/related_entries}" != ""}
    <li><a href="http://{path=" title="">{title}</a></li>
  {/if}
{/exp:channel:entries}

Overall, I think you’ll be fine here. Are you noticing a load time that’s greater than you’d expect?

Thanks, Kevin. Load time hasn’t really been an issue, so I think this will be fine. I think I may even be able to eliminate the embed by using Low Variables’ new preparse tag.

Oh, very nice! Anything else I can help with?

No, I’m good now. Thanks!

Awesome, have a good one aircrash!