Imagine a world where non-programmers can include advanced functionalities to their website without the need to learn how to code or learn complicated procedures. With WordPress, this world exists, thanks to shortcodes.
A shortcodeA small code snippet ([example]) that simplifies adding dyna... More is just what its name suggests: a short way to include code. It allows you to integrate advanced functionalities, such as a gallery, a complex layout, or some interactive elements, very quickly and effortlessly.
WordPress’ shortcodes are usually included by inserting them between brackets [] to define their use. Each of these codes has a specific use and can be adapted. For example, most modern form plugins in WordPress use shortcodes to let you include the forms anywhere on your site. The shortcodeA small code snippet ([example]) that simplifies adding dyna... More can then be used in your content, ideally in a block since the introduction of GutenbergGutenberg The block editor introduced in WordPress 5.0, usin... More, or in a templateTemplate A file in a theme that defines how different parts ... More using the do_shortcode function. The shortcodeA small code snippet ([example]) that simplifies adding dyna... More will often have one or more variables, for example the ID of the form in our form pluginSoftware that adds specific features or functionality to a W... More example.
By default, WordPress includes the following shortcodes:
[caption]allows you to wrap captions around content
[gallery]allows you to show image galleries
[audio]allows you to embed and play audio files
[video]allows you to embed and play video files
[playlist]allows you to display collection of audio or video files
[embed]allows you to wrap embedded items
As you can see, these are some pretty advanced features, although they are relatively unkown to most common users of WordPress.
For plugins developers, shortcodes are a popular way to allow the users to include functionalities on pageStatic content (e.g., "About Us," "Contact") not part of chr... More, some plugins even use it for their main functionalities, such as the ability to embed PDFs with a pluginSoftware that adds specific features or functionality to a W... More like Wonder PDF Embed.
Some other plugins will be designed specially to allow you to create many things, such as tabs, buttons, layouts, documentations, RTL support, etc… using shortcodes. For examples, the Shortcodes Ultimate plugins will generate more than 50 different shortcodes for your WordPress website.
For a bit more advanced users, you can work with Shortcoder, a pluginSoftware that adds specific features or functionality to a W... More that gives you the opportunity to turn any code into a shortcodeA small code snippet ([example]) that simplifies adding dyna... More. Obviously, this requires a minimum of HTMLHTML (HyperText Markup Language) The standard markup languag... More, CSSCSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a language used to style and... More and JS skills, but it stays much easier than coding everything in the templateTemplate A file in a theme that defines how different parts ... More or in a pluginSoftware that adds specific features or functionality to a W... More.
Using shortcodes in WordPress as a user is a simple process, but it doesn’t work the same depending on where you want to add it. Keep in mind that each shortcodeA small code snippet ([example]) that simplifies adding dyna... More can have some attributes, so make sure to read the documentation before adding a specific shortcodeA small code snippet ([example]) that simplifies adding dyna... More.
First, you must go in the pageStatic content (e.g., "About Us," "Contact") not part of chr... More or postDynamic, time-based content (e.g., blog entries) displayed i... More where you want to insert your shortcodeA small code snippet ([example]) that simplifies adding dyna... More. If you use GutenbergGutenberg The block editor introduced in WordPress 5.0, usin... More, as you should, you can add the shortcodeA small code snippet ([example]) that simplifies adding dyna... More in the dedicated block “Shortcodes”, in the “Widgets” section.
Starting from WordPress 4.8, you can also insert shortcodes in Widgets. To add them, go to Appearance > Widgets and add a Text widgetA small block that adds specific content/functionality to wi... More in the section that should display the widgetA small block that adds specific content/functionality to wi... More.
If your themeTheme A collection of files that determine a site's design, ... More is using custom fields, you may also use shortcodes in it.
If you are a WordPress developper and you code your own themes and plugins, you can create shortcodes that will extend the functionalities of your code and empower your users.
For that, you should read the documentation to get a good understanding of the ins and outs or working with shortcodes for developpers. Once you are familiar with it, try the dedicated add_shortcode() functions to make some tests.
However, the easiest way to create WordPress shortcodes if you are a WordPress developper is to use a dedicated generator that will make it very easy.