Shortcodes with parameters in Wordpress - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a shortcode in WordPress?

A shortcode is a simple code wrapped in square brackets that you can add to posts or pages to insert dynamic content without writing full code.

beginner

How do parameters work in WordPress shortcodes?

Parameters let you customize the shortcode output by passing extra information inside the shortcode, like [gallery size="medium"].

beginner

Example: What does this shortcode do? [button color="red" size="large"]Click me[/button]

It creates a button with red color and large size. The parameters 'color' and 'size' change how the button looks.

intermediate

How do you define a shortcode with parameters in PHP?

You create a function that accepts attributes as an array, use shortcode_atts() to set defaults, then register it with add_shortcode().

intermediate

Why use shortcode_atts() in shortcode functions?

It sets default values for parameters and merges them with user input, so your shortcode always has valid data to work with.

What symbol wraps a WordPress shortcode?

A Curly braces {}

B Square brackets []

C Parentheses ()

D Angle brackets <>

Shortcodes are always wrapped in square brackets like [shortcode].

How do you pass parameters to a shortcode?

A Inside the shortcode like [shortcode param="value"]

B As a separate PHP file

C Using HTML attributes

D By editing the WordPress core

Parameters go inside the shortcode tag as key="value" pairs.

Which function helps set default parameter values in shortcode functions?

A get_shortcode_defaults()

B add_shortcode()

C shortcode_atts()

D register_shortcode()

shortcode_atts() merges user parameters with defaults.

What does add_shortcode() do?

A Registers a shortcode and links it to a function

B Adds a new WordPress plugin

C Creates a new post

D Deletes a shortcode

add_shortcode() tells WordPress what function to run for a shortcode.

If a shortcode has [button color="blue"], what is 'color'?

A A WordPress theme

B The shortcode name

C A PHP function

D A parameter that customizes the shortcode

'color' is a parameter passed to the shortcode to change its output.

Explain how to create a WordPress shortcode that accepts parameters and uses default values.

Think about how to handle missing parameters and connect the shortcode name to the function.

Describe how parameters inside a shortcode affect its behavior and give a simple example.

Imagine changing the color or size of a button using parameters.