Table of contents

What is the do_shortcode?How the do_shortcode worksTroubleshooting do_shortcodeNext stepsAdditional resources

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do_shortcode – What it means in WordPress & how to use it

Want to unlock extra features in WordPress without installing a dozen plugins? There’s a simple function that lets you insert advanced functionality wherever you need it—even inside template files. If you’re ready to tap into more of what WordPress shortcodes can do, you’ll want to get familiar with this hidden gem.

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What is the do_shortcode?

do_shortcode is a WordPress PHP function that lets you run a shortcode directly in your theme files, plugins, or anywhere PHP is allowed. Normally, shortcodes are used inside post or page content. But with do_shortcode, you can call those same shortcodes outside of the content editor—like in sidebars, custom page templates, or even headers and footers.

This is especially helpful when you’re building a custom theme or plugin and want to use a shortcode without manually inserting it into a post or widget. Instead of relying on the block editor or Classic Editor, you can run the shortcode programmatically.

How the do_shortcode works

Using do_shortcode is straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

Understand the function. The syntax is:

echo do_shortcode(‘[shortcode]’);

It takes a string (the actual shortcode, wrapped in square brackets) and returns the rendered output.
Insert it into your PHP file. Place the function where you want the shortcode output to appear. For example, if you’re editing your page.php template and want to include a contact form, you’d use:

echo do_shortcode(‘[contact-form-7 id=”123″]’);
Test the output. Load the page where you placed the function and make sure the content appears as expected. If the shortcode is from a plugin like Contact Form 7, the plugin must be active.
Escape output if needed. In rare cases where output might include user-generated content, consider sanitizing it using wp_kses_post() or similar.

Troubleshooting do_shortcode

If do_shortcode isn’t working as expected, check the following:

Check the shortcode syntax. Make sure the shortcode is wrapped in single or double quotes and includes the correct parameters.
Confirm the shortcode is registered. If the shortcode comes from a plugin or custom function, make sure it’s loaded before you call do_shortcode. Use hooks like init to register shortcodes.
Look out for quote conflicts. Using single quotes inside single-quoted strings can break your code. Escape them properly or switch to double quotes on the outside.
Debug plugin conflicts. Disable other plugins temporarily to check if one is interfering with the shortcode. Some shortcodes depend on specific scripts or styles being enqueued.
Check PHP errors. Enable WP_DEBUG in your wp-config.php file to see if there are any function errors or typos.

Upgrade your WordPress experience

With do_shortcode, you’re no longer limited to adding shortcodes in the post editor. You can drop dynamic features anywhere in your theme and make your site more flexible.

Ready to use it? Try adding a shortcode to your header.php or footer.php to see the power in action.

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