Plugin / Code Embed

David Artiss

Description

Description

Note for users of WordPress 5.0 and above: please see the FAQ for details on using this plugin with Gutenberg

Code Embed allows you to embed code (JavaScript and HTML – it can’t be used for server-side code, such as PHP) in a post, without the content being changed by the editor. This is incredibly useful for embedding third-party scripts, etc. The plugin is used by many large sites, including Mozilla.

Key features include…

  • Add HTML or JavaScript to posts or pages – particularly useful for embedding videos!
  • Embed in widgets using the Widget Logic plugin
  • Global embedding allows you set up some code in one post or page and then access it from another
  • Modify the keywords or identifiers used for embedding the code to your own choice
  • Search for embedding code via a simple search option
  • Add a simple suffix to the embed code to convert videos to responsive output
  • Embed an external script directly using just the URL
  • And much, much more!

Technical specification…

  • Licensed under GPLv2 (or later)
  • Designed for both single and multi-site installations
  • PHP7 compatible
  • Passes WordPress.com VIP coding standards and fully compatible with their platform
  • Fully internationalized, ready for translations If you would like to add a translation to this plugin then please head to our Translating WordPress page
  • GDPR compliant
  • See FAQ for Gutenberg compatibility

Please visit the Github page for the latest code development, planned enhancements and known issues.

Getting Started

Here’s how easy it is to use…

  1. Once you have the plugin installed start a new post or page.
  2. In the Custom Fields meta box enter a name of CODE1 and your embed code as the value. Save this.
  3. In your post add {{CODE1}} where you wish the embed code to appear.

And that’s it – when the post or page is viewed {{CODE1}} will be replaced with the code that you asked to be embedded.

If you cannot find the location of the Custom Fields meta box on your post editor screen, please see the FAQ section for more information

This should get you started – for more information and advanced options please see below.. Alternatively, there’s a fantastic guide at Elftronix which I would recommend.

Although this plugin works for both posts and pages for simplicity I will simply refer to posts – bear in mind that pages work in the same way.

Options Screen

In the administration menu there is a settings option named “Code Embed”.

Code embedding is performed via a special keyword that you must use to uniquely identify where you wish the code to appear. This consist of an opening identifier (some that that goes at the beginning), a keyword and then a closing identifier. You may also add a suffix to the end of the keyword if you wish to embed multiple pieces of code within the same post.

From this options screen you can specify the above identifier that you wish to use. By default the opening and closing identifiers are percentage signs and the keyword is CODE. During these instructions these will be used in all examples.

The options screen is only available to those that with a capability of able to manage options or greater. All the other Code Embed menu options are available to users with a capability to edit posts or greater.

Embedding

To embed in a post you need to find the meta box under the post named “Custom Fields”. If this is missing you may need to add it by clicking on the “Screen Options” tab at the top of the new post screen.

Now create a new custom field with the name of your keyword – e.g. CODE. The value of this field will be the code that you wish to embed. Save this custom field.

Now, wherever you wish the code to appear in your post, simply put the full identifier (opening, keyword and closing characters). For example, {{CODE}}.

If you wish to embed multiple pieces of code within a post you can add a suffix to the keyword. So we may set up 2 custom fields named CODE1 and CODE2. Then in our post we would specify either {{CODE1}} or {{CODE2}} depending on which you wish to display.

Don’t forget – via the options screen you can change any part of this identifier to your own taste.

URL Embedding

If you specify a URL within your post, surrounded by your choice of identifiers, then the contents of the URL will be embedded within your post.

Obviously, be careful when embedding a URL that you have no control over, as this may be used to hijack your post by injecting, for example, dangerous JavaScript.

For example, using the default options you could embed the contents of a URL using the following method…

{{http://www.example.com/code.php}}

or

{{https://www.example.com/code.html}}<h3>Global Embedding</h3>

You can also create global embeds – that is creating one piece of embed code and using it in multiple posts or pages.

To do this simply make reference to an already defined (but unique) piece of embed code from another post or page.

So, let’s say in one post you define a custom field named CODE1. You can, if you wish, place {{CODE1}} not just in that post but also in another and it will work.

However, bear in mind that the embed code name must be unique – you can’t have defined it in multiple posts otherwise the plugin won’t know which one you’re referring to (although it will report this and list the posts that it has been used in).

In the administration menu there is a sidebar menu named “Tools”. Under this is a sub-menu named “Code Search”. Use this to search for specific embed names and it will list all the posts/pages that they’re used on, along with the code for each.

Embedding in Widgets

Natively you cannot use the embed facilities within sidebar widgets. However, if you install the plugin Widget Logic then Code Embed has been set up to make use of this and add the ability.

  • Install Widget Logic and activate.
  • In Administration, select the Widgets page from the Appearance menu. At the bottom there will be a set of Widget Logic options.
  • Ensure Use ‘widget_content’ filter is ticked and press Save.

Although you cannot set up embed code within a widget you can make reference to it, for example by writing {{CODE1}} in the widget.

Responsive Output Conversion

Responsive output is where an element on a web page dynamically resizes depending upon the current available size. Most video embeds, for instance, will be a fixed size. This is fine if your website is also of a fixed size, however if you have a responsive site then this is not suitable.

Code Embed provides a simple suffix that can be added to an embed code and will convert the output to being responsive. This works best with videos.

To use, when adding the embed code onto the page, simply add _RES to the end, before the final identifier. For example, {{CODE1_RES}}. The _RES should not be added to the custom fields definition.

This will now output the embedded code full width, but a width that is dynamic and will resize when required.

If you don’t wish the output to be full width you can specify a maximum width by adding an additional _x on the end, where x is the required width in pixels. For example, {{CODE1_RES_500}} this will output CODE1 as responsive but with a maximum width of 500 pixels.

It should be noted that this is an experimental addition and will not work in all circumstances.

Embedding in excerpts

By default embed code will not appear in excerpts. However, you can switch this ability on via the Code Embed options screen. If you do this then the standard rules of excerpts will still apply, but now once the code embed has applied – for example, excerpts are just text, a specific length, etc.

Reviews & Mentions

“Works like a dream. Fantastic!” – Anita.

“Thank you for this plugin. I tried numerous other iframe plugins and none of them would work for me! This plugin worked like a charm the FIRST time.” – KerryAnn May.

Embedding content – WSD Blogging Server.

Animating images with PhotoPeach – Cómo hago.

Can I use this plugin with the new editor (aka Gutenberg) / WordPress 5.0 and above?

The new editor (Gutenberg) removes the custom fields meta box and, as a result, you are unable to add or edit existing code embeds. However, the plugin will continue to work, in all other ways.

However, a rather smart plugin named Custom Fields for Gutenberg will add this functionality back in – with that active, you can happily continue to use this plugin, even with WordPress 5.0 or later.

My code doesn’t work

If your code contains the characters ]]> then you’ll find that it doesn’t – WordPress modifies this itself.

Otherwise, it’s likely to be your code and not this plugin. The best way to confirm this is to look at the source of the page and compare the code output with what you embedded. Does it match? If it does, then your code is at fault.

I can’t find the Custom Fields meta box

This ‘meta box’ is not added by this plugin but is built into WordPress. If you cannot find it on the post or page editor screen then click the ‘Screen Options’ tab in the top right-hand corner. Ensure ‘Custom Fields’ is ticked. Please see the screenshots section for an image on how this appears on a ‘box fresh’ installation of WordPress.

If you still can’t find it then you may have a theme or plugin that removes this or may have a problem with your WordPress installation – you will need to try normal diagnostics to try and resolve this, including requesting help on the WordPress support forum. It would be greatly appreciated if you don’t give me poor reviews in this situation as, I say, this component is not part of this plugin but, by using it, keeps this plugin simple to use and bloat-free 🙂

What’s the maximum size of the embed code that I can save in a custom field?

WordPress stores the custom field contents in a MySQL table using the longtext format. This can hold over 4 billion characters.

Is this GDPR compliant?

It is, in that it doesn’t save any data that could be odds with GDPR compliance (i.e. it’s compliant by design). However, if you use this to embed third-party scripts, then those scripts may not be and you will need to speak to the providers for further details.

Ratings

4.7
28 reviews

Rating breakdown

Details Information

Version

2.3.2

First Released

05 Apr, 2009

Total Downloads

210,812

Wordpress Version

4.6 or higher

Tested up to:

4.9.12

Require PHP Version:

5.3 or higher

Tags

Contributors

Languages

DIRECTORY DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this THEME/PLUGIN DIRECTORY is made available for information purposes only, and intended to serve as a resource to enable visitors to select a relevant theme or plugin. wpSocket gives no warranty of any kind, express or implied with regard to the information, including without limitation any warranty that the particular theme or plugin that you select is qualified on your situation.

The information in the individual theme or plugin displayed in the Directory is provided by the owners and contributors themselves. wpSocket gives no warranty as to the accuracy of the information and will not be liable to you for any loss or damage suffered by you as a consequence of your reliance on the information.

Links to respective sites are offered to assist in accessing additional information. The links may be outdated or broken. Connect to outside sites at your own risk. The Theme/Plugin Directory does not endorse the content or accuracy of any listing or external website.

While information is made available, no guarantee is given that the details provided are correct, complete or up-to-date.

wpSocket is not related to the theme or plugin, and also not responsible and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind, arising out of the use, reference to, or reliance on, any information or business listed throughout our site.

Keep Leading Your Followers!
Share it for them.