Hello Andrew.

When that custom menu is disabled - does wpDataTables work fine? If it is, the issue doesn't lay with wpDataTables, but the custom menu. We do not provide support for custom work that may affect the plugin.

We currently do not offer a built-in integration with ACF. To retrieve data of this nature, you'll need to resort to custom SQL Queries within our SQL-based tables. The complexity is heightened because this data is stored in the database in a serialized JSON format, requiring a certain level of proficiency in SQL for crafting a custom Query.

Please note that crafting or troubleshooting custom SQL Queries falls outside the scope of our support.

On a different note, an effective method to pull data via custom SQL Queries from the database involves utilizing our WPDB SQL Query Constructor tool, as you've done. Another option to explore is "Generate a query to MySQL database," offering a broader selection of additional SQL Tables. This is a more versatile and generic SQL Query Constructor Tool.

For more detailed information on the second Constructor Helper Tool, please refer to the explanations provided here.

Please note:

• This tool functions as a query suggestion generator and not as an ultimate query generator. It constructs queries based on suggestions, and while we are continuously enhancing its capabilities, full automation for constructing queries in SQL, given its complexity, is nearly impossible.

• The more intricate the query, the higher the likelihood that it may not precisely return the desired results. Thus, some experimentation with the resulting query may be necessary.

For additional assistance with writing custom Queries, you can refer to the official WP codex page here.

Another approach is to attempt creating a Custom SQL Query by selecting the necessary columns and data directly in your Database Management Tool, such as PHPMyAdmin. Once you successfully retrieve the required data, you can establish a MySQL view (e.g., "ViewName") and construct a wpDataTables based on a simple query like "SELECT * FROM ViewName." You can find an example of using an SQL View in our plugin in this video.

If you desire to see a native integration between wpDataTables and ACF, please check our suggestions page to see if it has been suggested. If not, feel free to add your suggestion. As more people vote, the feature will gain higher priority.