Onyx Poll

FAQ

Do I need ACF PRO installed?

No. Version 2.0 uses its own editor, settings and database tables. Existing ACF poll data migrates automatically.

Will my 1.2.0 polls and votes migrate automatically?

Yes. Updating the active plugin starts migration on the next WordPress request; a fresh activation also starts it. Polls are copied in batches of 50 per request and migration resumes on subsequent requests. A poll needed by a shortcode, block, widget or modal is imported on demand, so a large poll collection does not need to finish migrating before those polls can be displayed. No ACF installation or manual import is required.

Poll IDs, answers, images, individual counters and settings are preserved. Migration does not delete the original custom fields and repeated runs do not overwrite new votes. The only intentional result change is that total votes becomes the sum of the answers.

Can I update without changing existing posts or losing site content?

The built-in blocks, shortcodes and widgets remain compatible, and the update does not rewrite posts or pages or remove media. However, no major update can guarantee compatibility with every hosting environment, theme or custom integration. Back up the database and files, test on staging, verify PHP 7.4 and WordPress 6.3 or newer, and confirm that the database user can create tables. Review the breaking changes if custom code accesses the old ACF fields directly.

Can I remove ACF or downgrade after updating?

Onyx Poll 2.0 and its migration work without ACF. Remove ACF only if your theme and other plugins do not need it. Old ACF fields remain as a pre-migration copy; they are not synchronized with new votes or edits. Downgrading to 1.2.0 therefore does not preserve changes made in 2.0. Keep a current database backup and test any rollback separately.

How do I add a poll to a post?

Insert the Onyx Poll block and select the poll and style, or use a shortcode:

[onyx-poll]
[onyx-poll id=85]
[onyx-poll id=85 class="twitter full"]

Replace 85 with your poll ID. Omit the ID to show the latest published poll. Alignment classes: left, right, full. Styles: twitter, standard. The poll list provides a shortcode to copy.

How do I add a poll to a sidebar?

If your theme provides widget areas, add the Poll widget under Appearance > Widgets and select its poll and style.

Can I use my own CSS?

Yes. Keep the default stylesheet enabled to override its CSS variables, or enable Use own CSS in Poll Settings to replace all plugin styles. Settings > Help contains the full variable example.

.onyx-poll {
    --pollWidgetWidth: 400px;
    --borderColor: #dbe9f5;
    --boxShadow: 0 4px 12px 6px rgba(31,70,88,.04);
    --modalBorderRadius: 4px;
    --questionColor: #333;
    --choiceColor: #333;
    --buttonColor: #333;
    --choiceHoverBG: #f5f5f5;
    --choiceBarColor: #e0e0e0;
    --choiceBorderRadius: 100px;
    --closeBorderRadius: 100px;
    --loaderBorderColor: rgb(209,226,240);
    --loaderBG: #a3caec;
}

How can I check the expiration cron?

Poll Settings shows the last successful check, its source, the next scheduled check, timezone and status. A new installation waits for its first recorded execution; no older execution history is invented. Checks with no expired polls also count as successful runs. The plugin adds its status to Tools > Site Health.

WP-Cron normally depends on site visits. For predictable execution, configure your host to request wp-cron.php every five minutes; the Onyx event itself remains hourly:

*/5 * * * * curl --fail --silent --show-error 'https://example.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron' > /dev/null 2>&1

Only after the external scheduler is configured and tested, disable the automatic page trigger in wp-config.php:

define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);

The existing direct expiration endpoint is also supported:

0 * * * * curl --fail --silent --show-error 'https://example.com/wp-json/onyx/polls/cron' > /dev/null 2>&1

This endpoint runs only the Onyx check. It does not run other WordPress scheduled tasks. Endpoint runs are identified separately; an overdue WordPress event still needs investigation. Voting checks deadlines immediately, even when cron is delayed.

See the WordPress server scheduler documentation.

Where is the data stored?

Poll rules use {prefix}onyx_polls; answers, image references and votes use {prefix}onyx_poll_answers. WordPress stores titles and publication status in the onyxpolls post type. Settings and cron diagnostics use the plugin’s own options. The actual WordPress table prefix is used.

No visitor IP addresses or usernames are stored. Cookies remember votes, modal dismissal and voting intervals: onyx_poll_limit_XX, onyx_poll_modal and onyx_poll_choice_XX.

What happens on uninstall?

Data is kept by default. In Poll Settings, administrators can choose permanent deletion and must acknowledge that recovery will not be possible without a backup.

Permanent cleanup removes only the two plugin tables, the exact list of plugin-owned options, and wp_posts rows with post_type onyxpolls. Other posts and pages are preserved, including those containing poll blocks or shortcodes. Media files, attachment relationships, comments, revisions and legacy custom fields are preserved. Deactivation never deletes poll data.

Which browsers are supported?

Current Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported. The public polling interface does not require jQuery.