Header, footer, and sidebar templates in Wordpress - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of the header.php file in a WordPress theme?

The header.php file contains the code for the top section of every page, including the site title, navigation menu, and metadata. It is included on all pages to keep the header consistent.

beginner

How do you include the footer template in a WordPress theme file?

Use the PHP function get_footer(); inside your theme files to include the footer.php template. This adds the footer section to your pages.

beginner

What is the role of the sidebar.php file in WordPress themes?

The sidebar.php file holds the code for the sidebar area, which often contains widgets like recent posts, search bars, or categories. It can be included with get_sidebar();.

beginner

Which WordPress function is used to include the header template in theme files?

The function get_header(); is used to include the header.php template in WordPress theme files.

beginner

Why is it important to use template files like header, footer, and sidebar in WordPress themes?

Using these template files keeps the site design consistent and makes it easier to update common parts like navigation or footer content in one place instead of editing every page.

Which function do you use to add the sidebar template in a WordPress theme?

A load_sidebar();

B get_sidebar();

C include_sidebar();

D add_sidebar();

The correct function to include the sidebar template is get_sidebar();

What file does the function get_footer(); load in a WordPress theme?

A sidebar.php

B header.php

C footer.php

D index.php

get_footer(); loads the footer.php template file.

Where should the site navigation menu usually be placed in a WordPress theme?

A Inside functions.php

B Inside footer.php

C Inside sidebar.php

D Inside header.php

The navigation menu is typically placed inside header.php to appear at the top of pages.

Which template file is responsible for displaying widgets like recent posts or search in WordPress?

A sidebar.php

B header.php

C footer.php

D single.php

sidebar.php usually contains widget areas like recent posts or search.

Why should you use template files for header, footer, and sidebar in WordPress?

A To keep design consistent and simplify updates

B To make the site load slower

C To avoid using PHP

D To prevent users from seeing the content

Using template files keeps design consistent and makes updates easier.

Explain how header.php, footer.php, and sidebar.php work together in a WordPress theme.

Think about the parts of a website you see on every page and how WordPress loads them.

Describe the benefits of using template files for header, footer, and sidebar in WordPress theme development.

Consider how updating one file affects the whole site.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using get_header(), get_sidebar(), and get_footer() in a WordPress theme?

easy

A. To register new WordPress plugins

B. To create new posts automatically

C. To add custom CSS styles to the theme

D. To include reusable template parts like header, sidebar, and footer in theme files

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function roles

   get_header(), get_sidebar(), and get_footer() are WordPress functions used to include specific parts of a theme.

2. Step 2: Identify their purpose

   These functions help insert reusable parts like the header, sidebar, and footer into theme templates, making the site organized and easier to maintain.

3. Final Answer:

   To include reusable template parts like header, sidebar, and footer in theme files -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Reusable template parts = D [OK]

Hint: Remember these functions insert common page sections [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking these functions create posts
• Confusing them with CSS or plugin functions
• Assuming they add styles instead of templates

2. Which of the following is the correct way to include the sidebar template in a WordPress theme file?

easy

A. load_sidebar();

B. include_sidebar();

C. get_sidebar();

D. sidebar_include();

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall WordPress template functions

   The correct WordPress function to include the sidebar template is get_sidebar().

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   Functions like include_sidebar(), load_sidebar(), or sidebar_include() do not exist in WordPress.

3. Final Answer:

   get_sidebar(); -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Sidebar inclusion function = A [OK]

Hint: Use get_sidebar() exactly to include sidebar templates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent functions like include_sidebar()
• Forgetting parentheses after function name
• Confusing with PHP include statements

3. Given the following WordPress theme file snippet, what will be the output behavior?

<?php get_header(); ?>
<main>Content here</main>
<?php get_footer(); ?>

medium

A. Only the main content will display, header and footer missing

B. The page will display the header, main content, and footer sections

C. The page will show an error because get_footer() is missing arguments

D. Only header and footer will display, main content ignored

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand get_header() and get_footer() usage

   These functions include the header.php and footer.php template parts respectively.

2. Step 2: Analyze the snippet structure

   The snippet calls get_header(), then outputs main content inside <main>, then calls get_footer(). This means all three parts will appear on the page.

3. Final Answer:

   The page will display the header, main content, and footer sections -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Header + main + footer = B [OK]

Hint: get_header() and get_footer() wrap main content automatically [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming get_footer() needs arguments
• Thinking main content is ignored
• Believing header/footer won't show without extra code

4. You added get_sidebar(); in your theme file, but the sidebar does not appear on the site. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The sidebar.php template file is missing from the theme folder

B. You forgot to call get_header(); before get_sidebar();

C. The get_sidebar(); function requires parameters to work

D. WordPress does not support sidebars by default

Solution

1. Step 1: Check sidebar template existence

   get_sidebar(); includes sidebar.php by default. If this file is missing, nothing will show.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Calling get_header(); is not required before sidebar. get_sidebar(); works without parameters. WordPress supports sidebars by default.

3. Final Answer:

   The sidebar.php template file is missing from the theme folder -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Missing sidebar.php = A [OK]

Hint: Check if sidebar.php exists when sidebar is missing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming get_sidebar() needs parameters
• Thinking header must be called first
• Believing WordPress lacks sidebar support

5. You want to create a custom footer template named footer-special.php and include it only on the homepage. Which code snippet correctly includes this custom footer in your theme's index.php?

hard

A. if (is_front_page()) { get_footer('special'); } else { get_footer(); }

B. get_footer('special'); if (is_front_page()) { get_footer(); }

C. get_footer(); if (is_front_page()) { get_footer('special'); }

D. if (is_home()) { get_footer(); } else { get_footer('special'); }

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand get_footer() with parameters

   Calling get_footer('special') loads footer-special.php. Without parameters, it loads footer.php.

2. Step 2: Use conditional to check homepage

   is_front_page() returns true on the homepage. So, use it to load the special footer only there, else load default footer.

3. Step 3: Analyze options

   if (is_front_page()) { get_footer('special'); } else { get_footer(); } correctly uses the conditional to load footer-special.php on homepage and default footer elsewhere. Other options call footers incorrectly or in wrong order.

4. Final Answer:

   if (is_front_page()) { get_footer('special'); } else { get_footer(); } -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Conditional footer load = C [OK]

Hint: Use get_footer('name') with condition for custom footers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Calling both footers unconditionally
• Using is_home() instead of is_front_page() for homepage
• Reversing the conditional logic