Visual Composer Custom Shortcode Template – custom_markup: Display User Input

Visual Composer Custom Shortcode Template – custom_markup: Display User Input

Visual Composer is a popular WordPress plugin that allows users to create complex page layouts using a drag-and-drop interface. One of the most powerful features of Visual Composer is the ability to create custom shortcodes. Shortcodes are small snippets of code that can be inserted into posts and pages to add functionality or content.

The custom_markup shortcode template is a versatile tool that allows users to display any type of HTML content on their pages. This template can be used to add custom headings, text, images, videos, or even entire blocks of HTML code.

To create a custom shortcode template, you will need to create a new PHP file in the /wp-content/plugins/js_composer/include/shortcodes/ directory. The file name should start with vc_ and end with .php. For example, the file for the custom_markup shortcode template is named vc_custom_markup.php.

The following code shows the contents of the vc_custom_markup.php file:

<?php
if ( ! defined( 'ABSPATH' ) ) die( '-1' );

class WPBakeryShortCode_VC_Custom_Markup extends WPBakeryShortCode {
	protected function content( $atts, $content = null ) {
		$atts = vc_map_get_attributes( $this->getShortcode(), $atts );
		return $atts['html'];
	}
}

The content() method of the WPBakeryShortCode_VC_Custom_Markup class is where the shortcode’s output is generated. In this case, the output is simply the value of the html attribute.

To use the custom_markup shortcode, you can add it to a post or page using the Visual Composer editor. The shortcode has a single attribute, html, which can be used to specify the HTML content that you want to display.

For example, the following shortcode will display the heading “Hello World!” on your page:

[custom_markup html="<h1>Hello World!</h1>"]

You can also use the custom_markup shortcode to display more complex HTML content, such as images, videos, or entire blocks of HTML code. For example, the following shortcode will display an image of a cat on your page:

[custom_markup html="<img src='http://placekitten.com/200/200' />"]

The custom_markup shortcode is a powerful tool that can be used to add any type of HTML content to your pages. This template is a great starting point for creating your own custom shortcodes.

FAQs: Visual Composer Custom Shortcode Template – Custom Markup for User Input

1. What is a custom shortcode template in Visual Composer?

Answer: A custom shortcode template in Visual Composer is a personalized piece of code that allows you to create and define new functionalities or design elements for your site. These templates can be used to render user input dynamically, enabling you to customize the display of information or content based on the input received.

2. How can I create a custom shortcode in Visual Composer?

Answer: To create a custom shortcode in Visual Composer, you need to follow these steps:

1. Open your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the Visual Composer settings.
2. Go to the ‘Shortcodes’ section and click on ‘Add New’.
3. Write your custom markup and define the parameters for user input.
4. Save your shortcode and it will be available for use in your Visual Composer layouts.

3. How can I display user input using a custom shortcode?

Answer: You can display user input using a custom shortcode by defining input fields in your shortcode and then using the entered data to generate output. Here’s a simple example:

function custom_user_input_shortcode($atts) {
    ob_start();
    ?>
    <form method="post">
        <input type="text" name="user_input" placeholder="Enter something..." />
        <input type="submit" value="Submit" />
    </form>
    <?php
    if(isset($_POST['user_input'])) {
        echo '<div class="user-input-output">';
        echo esc_html($_POST['user_input']);
        echo '</div>';
    }
    return ob_get_clean();
}
add_shortcode('custom_input', 'custom_user_input_shortcode');

This code defines a shortcode [custom_input] that accepts user input and displays it after submission.

4. Can I customize the form style within my shortcode?

Answer: Yes, you can customize the form style within your shortcode. You can add custom CSS classes to your form elements or inline styles directly in your HTML markup. Additionally, you can enqueue custom CSS files in your theme or plugin to style the output as desired.

5. What should I do if my custom shortcode isn’t displaying correctly?

Answer: If your custom shortcode isn’t displaying correctly, check the following:

• Ensure you have correctly registered the shortcode with add_shortcode().
• Verify that your code is free from syntax errors and that all necessary files are included.
• Check if there are any conflicting plugins or themes that might affect the output.
• Enable debugging in WordPress to see error messages that can help identify the issue.

6. Can I use advanced input types, like select or radio buttons, in my shortcode?

Answer: Absolutely! You can use any type of input fields, including select dropdowns, radio buttons, checkboxes, etc. Just ensure you handle the input correctly in your PHP function to retrieve and process the values. For example:

<select name="user_choice">
    <option value="option1">Option 1</option>
    <option value="option2">Option 2</option>
</select>

You would then handle the selected value similarly to how you processed text inputs.

7. How can I validate user input in my custom shortcode?

Answer: You can validate user input by checking the values before processing them. You might want to ensure that inputs are not empty or do not contain prohibited characters. Here’s an example of how you might validate input:

if(!empty($_POST['user_input']) && preg_match('/^[a-zA-Z0-9\s]+$/', $_POST['user_input'])) {
    // Process input
} else {
    echo 'Invalid input.';
}

This example checks for empty input and ensures it contains only letters, numbers, and spaces.

8. Can I use my custom shortcode in any Visual Composer element?

Answer: Yes, you can use your custom shortcode in any element that supports shortcodes within Visual Composer, such as text blocks, code elements, or any area where you can input HTML or plain text. Simply paste your shortcode where you’d like it to appear.

9. Is it possible to store the user input in the database?

Answer: Yes, you can store user input in the database by using WordPress built-in functions such as update_option(), or by creating custom database tables. You would typically do this within the processing logic of your custom shortcode, after validating the input.

10. What security measures should I take when allowing user input?

Answer: When allowing user input, it’s crucial to implement security measures such as:

• Validating and sanitizing inputs using functions like sanitize_text_field(), esc_html(), etc.
• Using WordPress Nonces to verify the origin of requests and prevent CSRF attacks.
• Escaping outputs using functions like esc_html() to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.

By following these practices, you can enhance the security of your custom shortcode implementations in Visual Composer.