Custom headers and footers in Wordpress - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of a custom header in WordPress?

A custom header lets you add a unique top section to your website, like a logo, menu, or banner, making your site look special and easy to recognize.

beginner

Which WordPress file is commonly used to create a custom header?

The header.php file is used to build the custom header section of a WordPress theme.

beginner

How do you include a custom footer in a WordPress theme?

You create or edit the footer.php file and then call it in your theme using get_footer(); to show the footer on your pages.

beginner

What WordPress function is used to load the header template in theme files?

The function get_header(); loads the header template part, usually header.php, into your theme files.

intermediate

Why is it important to use WordPress functions like wp_head() and wp_footer() in custom headers and footers?

These functions allow WordPress and plugins to add necessary scripts, styles, and metadata, ensuring your site works well and stays compatible.

Which file do you edit to customize the footer in a WordPress theme?

A index.php

B header.php

C functions.php

D footer.php

The footer.php file controls the footer section of a WordPress theme.

What function do you use to include the header template in WordPress theme files?

A header_load()

B get_header()

C load_header()

D include_header()

get_header() is the correct WordPress function to load the header template.

Why should you include wp_head() in your header.php file?

A To allow WordPress and plugins to add scripts and styles

B To display the site title

C To load the footer content

D To create a navigation menu

wp_head() lets WordPress and plugins insert important code in the header.

Which function is used to load the footer template in WordPress?

A include_footer()

B load_footer()

C get_footer()

D footer_load()

get_footer() loads the footer.php template in WordPress themes.

What is a common use for custom headers in WordPress?

A To add a unique logo and navigation menu

B To change the background color of the page

C To add widgets to the sidebar

D To create blog posts

Custom headers often include logos and menus to personalize the site.

Explain how to create and include a custom header in a WordPress theme.

Think about the files and functions WordPress uses for headers.

Describe why including wp_footer() in the footer.php file is important.

Consider what happens if scripts are missing in the footer.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using wp_head and wp_footer hooks in WordPress?

easy

A. To change the site's main menu items

B. To add custom content or scripts to the header and footer sections of a site

C. To create new pages in WordPress

D. To delete default WordPress themes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of hooks

   Hooks like wp_head and wp_footer allow adding extra code to header and footer areas.

2. Step 2: Identify their use

   They are used to insert custom HTML, CSS, or JavaScript in those sections without editing theme files directly.

3. Final Answer:

   To add custom content or scripts to the header and footer sections of a site -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   wp_head and wp_footer add content to header/footer [OK]

Hint: Remember hooks add code to header/footer areas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking hooks create pages
• Confusing hooks with menu settings
• Assuming hooks delete themes

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add a custom script to the footer using wp_footer hook in your theme's functions.php?

easy

A. add_action('wp_footer', function() { echo ''; });

B. add_action('wp_head', function() { echo ''; });

C. add_filter('wp_footer', function() { echo ''; });

D. add_action('footer', function() { echo ''; });

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct hook and function

   The wp_footer hook is used with add_action to add code to the footer.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   add_action('wp_footer', function() { echo ''; }); uses add_action('wp_footer', function() { ... }); which is correct syntax to add inline script.

3. Final Answer:

   add_action('wp_footer', function() { echo '<script>alert("Hi")</script>'; }); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use add_action with wp_footer for footer scripts [OK]

Hint: Use add_action with wp_footer to add footer code [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using add_filter instead of add_action
• Using wp_head instead of wp_footer for footer scripts
• Using non-existent 'footer' hook

3. Given this code in functions.php:

add_action('wp_head', function() { echo '<meta name="custom" content="123">'; });

What will this code do when the site loads?

medium

A. Add a meta tag inside the footer section

B. Add a visible text 'custom 123' at the top of the page

C. Cause a syntax error and break the site

D. Add a meta tag with name 'custom' and content '123' inside the <head> section

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand wp_head hook behavior

   The wp_head hook inserts code inside the <head> tag of the HTML document.

2. Step 2: Analyze the echo statement

   The code outputs a meta tag with name 'custom' and content '123' which will be placed inside <head>.

3. Final Answer:

   Add a meta tag with name 'custom' and content '123' inside the <head> section -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   wp_head adds code inside <head> [OK]

Hint: wp_head adds code inside head tag, not visible on page [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it adds content to footer
• Expecting visible text on page
• Assuming code causes error

4. You added this code to your theme's functions.php:

add_action('wp_footer', function() { echo '<div>Footer Text</div>'; });

But the footer text does not appear on your site. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The theme does not call wp_footer() function in its footer.php file

B. You used add_action instead of add_filter

C. The code should be added to wp_head hook instead

D. You need to clear browser cache to see changes

Solution

1. Step 1: Check theme support for wp_footer

   The wp_footer() function must be called in the theme's footer.php to output footer hook content.

2. Step 2: Understand why content is missing

   If wp_footer() is missing, the hook callback won't run and content won't show.

3. Final Answer:

   The theme does not call wp_footer() function in its footer.php file -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   wp_footer() call needed to show footer hook content [OK]

Hint: Ensure theme calls wp_footer() to display footer hook content [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing add_action with add_filter
• Adding footer code to wp_head hook
• Ignoring theme template structure

5. You want to add a custom header message only on the homepage and a footer copyright notice on all pages. Which is the best way to do this in your theme's functions.php?

hard

A. Use add_filter instead of add_action for both hooks

B. Add both messages inside wp_footer hook without conditions

C. Use add_action('wp_head', function() { if (is_front_page()) echo '<div>Welcome Home!</div>'; }); and add_action('wp_footer', function() { echo '<div>© 2024 MySite</div>'; });

D. Add both messages inside wp_head hook without conditions

Solution

1. Step 1: Use conditional check for homepage header

   Use is_front_page() inside wp_head hook to add header message only on homepage.

2. Step 2: Add footer message on all pages

   Use wp_footer hook without condition to add footer copyright on every page.

3. Final Answer:

   Use add_action('wp_head', function() { if (is_front_page()) echo '<div>Welcome Home!</div>'; }); and add_action('wp_footer', function() { echo '<div>© 2024 MySite</div>'; }); -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use conditional in wp_head, unconditional in wp_footer [OK]

Hint: Use is_front_page() condition inside wp_head hook [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding all messages unconditionally
• Using add_filter instead of add_action
• Putting footer message in wp_head hook