Qode Essential Addons
Qode Essential Addons - A Plugin for Enhancing Your WordPress Theme
Hi, and welcome to the Qode Essential Addons User Guide. The User Guide covers all the information needed to use the Qode Essential Addons plugin with your theme to build an amazing website. If you need any additional assistance while using our plugin, you can always submit a topic to the support forum at https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/qode-essential-addons/ and our support team will be glad to help you out. You can also send us an email at gethelp@qodeinteractive.com
You can navigate through different sections of the User Guide by clicking on the links in the menu to the left of your screen. You will also notice that we have highlighted certain parts of the text throughout the User Guide, such as important pieces of information and useful tips.
The Qode Essential Addons is a completely stand-alone plugin created by Qode Interactive. This plugin is used with all themes developed by Qode Interactive as their vital part.
The plugin enhances the themes by adding the Portfolio custom post type, the Portfolio List, Blog List, Product List shortcodes as well as numerous other custom options and widgets. In addition to this, the plugin adds the administration panel when used with themes created by Qode.
Currently, the Qode Essential Addons supports using both Elementor and WPBakery page builder plugins. There are plans to expand the list of compatible page builder plugins in the future.
Although the Qode Essential Addons can be used with any WordPress theme, users will get the most of it when using the plugin in tandem with one of Qode Interactive themes. In the event that the theme you are using was not developed by Qode, you will still enhance your theme with Portfolio List, Blog List and Product List shorcodes, widgets, and certain other features, however the administration panel that is added with Qode Essential Addons as well as all the custom page and global options will not be available.
Installing Qode Essential Addons
First off, here's a list of minimum requirements as well as recommended hosting parameters for running Qode Essential Addons plugin:
Minimum Requirements
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WordPress 5.0 or greater
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PHP version 5.6 or greater
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MySQL version 5.0 or greater
Recommended Hosting Parameters
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PHP version 7.0 or greater
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MySQL version 5.6 or greater
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WordPress Memory limit of 128 MB or greater
There are two ways you can go about installing the Qode Essential Addons plugin:
Installing From Your WordPress Dashboard
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Navigate to your WordPress Dashboard -> Plugins -> Add New
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Search for Qode Essential Addons
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Install and Activate Qode Essential Addons from your Plugins page.
Installing Directly From wordpress.org
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Locate and download Qode Essential Addons on wordpress.org
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Upload the qode-essential-addons directory to your ‘/wp-content/plugins/’ directory, using your preferred method (ftp, sftp, scp, etc…)
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Install and Activate Qode Essential Addons from your Plugins page.
In this section of the User Guide we will discuss all the custom options and features for creating and editing pages that become available once you've installed the Qode Essential Addons plugin.
Let’s go over the custom fields available for pages.
Please note that any settings you save here will override the global settings you've set in your theme's Core Options. It is generally considered good practice to set up the look of your pages on a global level, and then override settings on a local level, if necessary. This will save you a lot of time, unlike if you were to set up every page locally. Note that these custom theme page as well as theme's Core Options are available only when using the plugin with themes developed by Qode Interactive.
Page Settings
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Page Background Color - Set a color for the page background.
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Page Background Image - Set a background image for the page.
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Page Background Repeat - Set a background pattern for the page.
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Page Background Image Size - Choose whether you wish to resize the background image to cover the entire background (even if this means streaching or cutting the image), or if you wish to resize the background image to display it in its full size.
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Page Background Image Attachment - Choose whether the background image will be fixed or can be scrolled.
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Page Content Padding - Set the padding values for the content on this page. Please input the padding values in the format: top right bottom left (e.g. 10px 5px 10px 5px).
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Page Content Padding Mobile - Set the padding values for the content on this page on mobile screens (1024px and below). Please input the padding values in the format: top right bottom left (e.g. 10px 5px 10px 5px).
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Always Put Content Behind Header - Set this option to "Yes" if you would like the header to cover the top of the page content.
Header Settings
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Show Header Widget Areas - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to display the header widget areas on this page.
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Choose Custom Header Widget Area - Select a custom header widget area you wish to display.
Standard Header
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Content in Grid - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to set the standard header content in grid.
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Header Height - Input a value for the header height.
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Header Side Padding - Set the side padding for the standard header on this page.
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Header Background Color - Set a background color for the standard header.
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Menu Position - Choose where you wish to position the menu within the standard header.
Logo Settings
Header Logo Options
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Logo Height - Set the logo height for this page.
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Logo - Main - Upload a default logo image to display in the header on this page.
Sidebar Settings
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Sidebar Layout - Choose the desired layout for your sidebar. You can also disable the sidebar here by choosing "No Sidebar".
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Custom Sidebar - Choose a custom sidebar you wish to display.
Title Settings
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Enable Page Title - Use this option to control whether you would like to display the title area on this page or not.
Title Area
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Title Layout - Chose a type of title area to use.
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Page Title in Grid - Set this option to "Yes" if you would like to set the title area content in grid.
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Height - Set a height for the title area.
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Height on Smaller Screens - Set a height for the title area on smaller screens when the mobile header is displayed.
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Background Color - Set a background color for the title area
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Background Image - Chose a background image for the title area.
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Background Image Behavior - Choose how you would like the background image to behave.
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Title Color - Choose a color for the title.
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Text Alignment - Set an alignment for the title area text.
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Vertical Text Alignment - Define the vertical alignment setting for the title area content on this page. You can choose to vertically align the title area content from the bottom of the header, or from the top of your browser window.
In this section of the User Guide we will discuss all the available options for each post, setting up pages to display blog listings, as well as how to change the date format for your posts.
Let’s go over the available custom fields for blog posts.
Note that most of them are the same custom fields you'll find when creating standard pages.
Page Settings
- Page Background Color - Set a color for the page background.
- Page Background Image - Set a background image for the page.
- Page Background Repeat - Set a background pattern for the page.
- Page Background Image Size - Choose whether you wish to resize the background image to cover the entire background (even if this means streaching or cutting the image), or if you wish to resize the background image to display it in its full size.
- Page Background Image Attachment - Choose whether the background image will be fixed or can be scrolled.
- Page Content Padding - Set the padding values for the content on this page. Please input the padding values in the format: top right bottom left (e.g. 10px 5px 10px 5px).
- Page Content Padding Mobile - Set the padding values for the content on this page on mobile screens (1024px and below). Please input the padding values in the format: top right bottom left (e.g. 10px 5px 10px 5px).
- Always Put Content Behind Header - Set this option to "Yes" if you would like the header to cover the top of the page content.
Header Settings
- Show Header Widget Areas - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to display the header widget areas on this page.
- Choose Custom Header Widget Area - Select a custom header widget area you wish to display.
Standard Header
- Content in Grid - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to set the standard header content in grid.
- Header Height - Input a value for the header height.
- Header Side Padding - Set the side padding for the standard header on this page.
- Header Background Color - Set a background color for the standard header.
- Menu Position - Choose where you wish to position the menu within the standard header.
Logo Settings
Header Logo Options
- Logo Height - Set the logo height for this page.
- Logo - Main - Upload a default logo image to display in the header on this page.
Sidebar Settings
- Sidebar Layout - Choose the desired layout for your sidebar. You can also disable the sidebar here by choosing "No Sidebar".
- Custom Sidebar - Choose a custom sidebar you wish to display.
Title Settings
- Enable Page Title - Use this option to control whether you would like to display the title area on this page or not.
Title Area
- Title Layout - Chose a type of title area to use.
- Page Title in Grid - Set this option to "Yes" if you would like to set the title area content in grid.
- Height - Set a height for the title area.
- Height on Smaller Screens - Set a height for the title area on smaller screens when the mobile header is displayed.
- Background Color - Set a background color for the title area
- Background Image - Chose a background image for the title area.
- Background Image Behavior - Choose how you would like the background image to behave.
- Title Color - Choose a color for the title.
- Text Alignment - Set an alignment for the title area text.
- Vertical Text Alignment - Define the vertical alignment setting for the title area content on this page. You can choose to vertically align the title area content from the bottom of the header, or from the top of your browser window.
Blog Lists
After you have created enough posts, you also need to create a blog list where all of these posts will be displayed. To create a blog list, you first need to create a new page on which your blog list will be displayed, and in the page's backend find the Blog List shortcode. For a more detailed look into the Blog List element, refer to the Custom Shortcodes section of this guide.
Date Format
If you wish to change the date format on blog posts, navigate to Settings > General > Date Format from your WordPress admin, and select your format of choice.
In this section of the User Guide we will discuss the creation of portfolio items, as well as how to add portfolio lists to your website pages.
When used with Qode Interactive themes, Qode Essential addon expands the theme by adding the Portfolio custom post type for creating and displaying portfolio items on your pages.
Portfolio Items
To create a new portfolio item:
- Navigate to ThemeName Portfolio > Add new from your WordPress admin panel.
- Enter a title for your portfolio item in the text field near the top of the page.
- On the right side of the screen you will see a section named Portfolio Categories. Here you can select the categories that you would like to add this portfolio item to. If you would like to create a new category, click on the + Add New Category link. A text field will appear in which you can enter a category name, and then click Add New Category.
- Once you have checked the categories you would like to add your post to, click the Publish button.
Beneath the Portfolio Categories section are the Portfolio Tags, Attributes, and Featured Image sections. In the Portfolio Tags section, you can enter tags for this portfolio item. In the Attributes section, you can set the order in which you would like this portfolio item to appear in portfolio lists. In the Featured Image section, you can set an image to be displayed for this item on portfolio lists.
Now that you have set up your first portfolio item, let’s go over the available custom fields for portfolio items.
Note that most of them are the same custom fields you'll find when creating standard pages.
Portfolio Settings
General Settings
- Single Layout - Choose a layout for your portfolio single project. You can choose from the following portfolio types:
Gallery - Big
Gallery - Small
Images - Big
Images - Small
Slider - Big
Slider - Small
You can also choose the Portfolio Custom type, if you would like to build your portfolio from scratch via shortcodes, like you would any other page.
- Number of Columns - When using the "Gallery" type of portfolio, you can choose a number of columns to display your images in.
- Space Between Items - When using the "Gallery" type of portfolio, you can set a predefined spacing between images.
Media Settings
- Media Items - Here you can choose a Media Type you wish to use for each specific media item you wish to display, as well as to add the media itself. Available media types are Gallery, Image, Video and Audio.
Info Settings
- Info Items - Here you can add a label, some accompanying text, an item link, and choose whether said link would open in the same or a new browser window for each specific info item.
- Back To Link - Choose a 'back to' page link to link from this portfolio single page.
Page Settings
- Page Background Color - Set a color for the page background.
- Page Background Image - Set a background image for the page.
- Page Background Repeat - Set a background pattern for the page.
- Page Background Image Size - Choose whether you wish to resize the background image to cover the entire background (even if this means streaching or cutting the image), or if you wish to resize the background image to display it in its full size.
- Page Background Image Attachment - Choose whether the background image will be fixed or can be scrolled.
- Page Content Padding - Set the padding values for the content on this page. Please input the padding values in the format: top right bottom left (e.g. 10px 5px 10px 5px).
- Page Content Padding Mobile - Set the padding values for the content on this page on mobile screens (1024px and below). Please input the padding values in the format: top right bottom left (e.g. 10px 5px 10px 5px).
- Always Put Content Behind Header - Set this option to "Yes" if you would like the header to cover the top of the page content.
Header Settings
- Show Header Widget Areas - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to display the header widget areas on this page.
- Choose Custom Header Widget Area - Select a custom header widget area you wish to display.
Standard Header
- Content in Grid - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to set the standard header content in grid.
- Header Height - Input a value for the header height.
- Header Side Padding - Set the side padding for the standard header on this page.
- Header Background Color - Set a background color for the standard header.
- Menu Position - Choose where you wish to position the menu within the standard header.
Logo Settings
Header Logo Options
- Logo Height - Set the logo height for this page.
- Logo - Main - Upload a default logo image to display in the header on this page.
Sidebar Settings
- Sidebar Layout - Choose the desired layout for your sidebar. You can also disable the sidebar here by choosing "No Sidebar".
- Custom Sidebar - Choose a custom sidebar you wish to display.
Title Settings
- Enable Page Title - Use this option to control whether you would like to display the title area on this page or not.
Title Area
- Title Layout - Chose a type of title area to use.
- Page Title in Grid - Set this option to "Yes" if you would like to set the title area content in grid.
- Height - Set a height for the title area.
- Height on Smaller Screens - Set a height for the title area on smaller screens when the mobile header is displayed.
- Background Color - Set a background color for the title area
- Background Image - Chose a background image for the title area.
- Background Image Behavior - Choose how you would like the background image to behave.
- Title Color - Choose a color for the title.
- Text Alignment - Set an alignment for the title area text.
- Vertical Text Alignment - Define the vertical alignment setting for the title area content on this page. You can choose to vertically align the title area content from the bottom of the header, or from the top of your browser window.
Portfolio Lists
A portfolio list displays a listing of your portfolio items, each of which can be clicked on for a detailed overview of the single portfolio item.
A portfolio list is added to pages via the Portfolio List shortcode. To add a portfolio list to a page, navigate to the backend of that page and add the Portfolio List element to the page via Elementor Page Builder (by entering the Elementor Page Builder view, and then dragging the Portfolio List element from the element selection screen).. For a comprehensive overview of all the options provided in the Portfolio List element, please see the Custom Shortcodes section of this User Guide.
This section of the User Guide provides a comprehenisve overview of all the settings available in the theme's Qode Essential Addons section of your WordPress admin panel once you have installed and activated the Qode Essential Addons plugin. The settings found here are applied globally and will affect all pages on your website. However, note that many of these options can be overridden locally by applying settings on individual pages or on shortcode elements.
It's important to note that these options will be available only when using the plugin with themes developed by Qode Interactive.
You can look up any of the available global options by typing in the keyword or a part of the option name in the search field located at the top of the screen in the Core Theme options section.
General
- Page Background Color - Set a background color for your pages.
- Page Background Image - Upload the image for the background.
- Page Background Repeat - Enabling this option will set the background image as a repeating pattern throughout the page, otherwise the image will appear as the cover background image.
- Page Background Image Size - Set a size for the background image.
- Page Background Attachment - Choose whether the background image will be fixed or can be scrolled.
- Page Content Padding - Set the padding values for the content for your pages. Please input the padding values in the format: top right bottom left (e.g. 10px 5px 10px 5px).
- Enable Back to Top - Set this option to "Yes" to display a 'Back to Top' button on your website.
Logo
Header Logo Options
- Logo Height - Set the logo height for your pages.
- Logo - Upload a default logo image to display in the header on your pages.
Mobile Header Logo Options
- Mobile Logo Height - Set the mobile logo height for your pages.
- Mobile Logo - Upload a default mobile logo image to display in the header on your pages.
Fonts
- Enable Google Fonts - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to use Google Fonts on your website.
- Google Font - Here you can choose which Google Font you wish to use on your site.
- Google Fonts Weight - Set default Google Fonts weights for your site. The more options you select, the greater potential impact on page load time gets.
- Google Fonts Style - Choose default Google Fonts styles for your site. The more options you select, the greater potential impact on page load time gets.
Typography
- General Typography - Here you can set the typography styles for different headings, links and paragraphs. In addition to this, you can set typography styles for individual responsive stages for each heading below.
General
- Header Layout - Choose a header type to use on your pages. Depending on the header type you choose, different options will be available.
Standard Header
- Content in Grid - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to set the standard header content in grid.
- Header Height - Input a value for the header height.
- Header Side Padding - Set the side padding for the standard header on this page.
- Header Background Color - Set a background color for the standard header.
- Menu Position - Choose where you wish to position the menu within the standard header.
General Settings
- Mobile Header Layout - Choose mobile header layout you wish to use.
- Header Height - Set a height for the mobile header.
- Header Side Padding - Set the side padding for the mobile header.
- Header Background Color - Set a background color for the mobile header.
Title
- Enable Page Title - Use this option to control whether you would like to display the title area or not on your website.
- Title Layout - Choose a type of title area to use.
- Page Title in Grid - Set this option to "Yes" if you would like to set the title area content in grid.
- Height - Set a height for the title area.
- Height on Smaller Screens - Set a height for the title area on smaller screens when the mobile header is displayed.
- Background Color - Set a background color for the title area
- Background Image - Chose a background image for the title area.
- Background Image Behavior - Choose how you would like the background image to behave.
- Title Color - Set a color for the title.
- Title Tag - Set a heading tag for titles.
- Text Alignment - Set an alignment for titles.
- Vertical Text Alignment - Define the vertical alignment setting for the title area content on your pages. You can choose to vertically align the title area content from the bottom of the header, or from the top of your browser window.
- Sidebar Layout - Choose a layout for the sidebar on pages.
- Custom Sidebar - Choose a custom sidebar you wish to display on your pages.
Top Footer Area Styles
- Background Color - Set a color for the footer top background.
- Background Image - Set an image you wish to display in the footer top background.
Bottom Footer Area Styles
- Background Color - Set a background color for the footer bottom.
Blog
Blog List
- Sidebar Layout - Choose a sidebar layout for blog archive pages.
- Custom Sidebar - Choose a custom sidebar you wish to display on your blog archive pages.
- Number of Characters in Excerpt - Set a number of characters to be displayed in the excerpt.
Blog Single
- Sidebar Layout - Choose a sidebar layout for blog single posts.
- Custom Sidebar - Choose a custom sidebar you wish to display on your blog single pages.
- Enable Related Posts - Set this option to "Yes" to display related posts on blog single pages.
Portfolio
Portfolio List
- Item Layout - Choose a style (layout and hover type) for single projects on portfolio archive pages.
Portfolio Single
- Single Layout - Choose a default type for portfolio single pages.
- Navigation - Set this option to "Yes" if you wish to enable project navigation on portfolio singles.
- Navigation Through Same Category - Set this option to "Yes" to make portfolio navigation sort through current category only.
WooCommerce
Product List
- Item Layout - Choose a default layout for product lists.
- Number of Columns - Choose a number of columns for the product list.
- Sidebar Layout - Choose a default sidebar layout for product lists.
- Custom Sidebar - Choose a custom sidebar to display on your shop pages.
In this section of the User Guide we will take a comprehesive look at all the custom shortcodes included with the plugin and their repsective options.
Section
The section element is a container element in which you can add other elements (shortcodes) and sort them on your page. Besides the standard Elementor Page Builder options for sections (you can access these options by hovering on a section and clicking the Edit Section button), you also have the custom options which we included with the theme. You can access these options by clicking the Edit Section button on the section of your choice, and then navigating to the Advanced tab located in the Elementor toolbar on the left side of the page.
Qode Essential Addons Grid
- Make this row "In Grid" - Set this option to "Yes" to set this set this section in a grid layout.
Portfolio List
The portfolio list shortcode enables you to present a listing of your portfolios on a page.
General
- Custom Class - If you wish to style a particular content element differently, you can use this field to add an extra class name to that element and then refer to that class name in your css file.
- List Appearance - Choose a template for your portfolio list. The template you choose will define how your portfolio list will display.
- Image Proportions - Choose the proportions of the images in your portfolio list.
- Number of Columns - Set the number of columns in which you would like to display your portfolio list.
- Columns Responsive - Choose between 'predefined' columns responsive settings, or set the column responsiveness manually for each responsive stage.
- Space Between Items - Choose a spacing between portfolio items in the list.
- Enable Pagination - Set this option to "Yes" to enable pagination bullets.
Query
- Posts Per Page - Choose how many portfolios you would like to display per page. Enter "-1" do display all portfolios on a single page.
- Order by - Choose how you would like to order your portfolio items.
- Order - Choose between ascending and descending order.
- Additional Params - Here you can choose which additional parameters you wish to define for projects featured in this portfolio list.
- Post IDs - If you would only like to display certain projects in your portfolio list, enter the IDs of those projects in this field.
- Taxonomy - Here you can choose to feature portfolios from specific categories or with specific tags only.
- Taxonomy Slug - Input a taxonomy slug for the category/tag you wish to limit this portfolio list to.
- Taxonomy IDs - Input taxonomy IDs for categories/tags you wish to limit this portfolio list to.
- Author Slug - Input the slug corresponding to the author whose work you wish to display in this list.
Layout
- Item Layout - Choose a style (layout and hover type) for the items in your portfolio list.
- Title Tag - Choose a heading tag for the titles in your portfolio list.
Blog List
This shortcode allows you to display your blog posts on a page.
General
- Custom Class - If you wish to style a particular content element differently, you can use this field to add an extra class name to that element and then refer to that class name in your css file.
- List Appearance - Choose a template for your blog list. The template you choose will define how your blog list will display.
- Image Proportions - Choose the proportions of the images in your blog list.
- Number of Columns - Set the number of columns in which you would like to display your blog list.
- Columns Responsive - Choose between 'predefined' columns responsive settings, or set the column responsiveness manually for each responsive stage.
- Space Between Items - Choose a spacing between posts in the list.
- Enable Pagination - Set this option to "Yes" to enable pagination bullets.
Query
- Posts Per Page - Choose how many posts you would like to display per page. Enter "-1" do display all portfolios on a single page.
- Order by - Choose how you would like to order your posts.
- Order - Choose between ascending and descending order.
- Additional Params - Here you can choose which additional parameters you wish to define for posts featured in this blog list.
- Post IDs - If you would only like to display certain posts in your list, enter the IDs of those posts in this field.
- Taxonomy - Here you can choose to feature posts from specific categories or with specific tags only.
- Taxonomy Slug - Input a taxonomy slug for the category/tag you wish to limit this blog list to.
- Taxonomy IDs - Input taxonomy IDs for categories/tags you wish to limit this blog list to.
- Author Slug - Input the slug corresponding to the author whose work you wish to display in this list.
Layout
- Excerpt Length - Set a maximum number of characters to display in the post excerpt.
- Title Tag - Choose a heading tag for the titles in your blog list.
Product List
You can use this shortcode to display a list of your shop products.
General
- Custom Class - If you wish to style a particular content element differently, you can use this field to add an extra class name to that element and then refer to that class name in your css file.
- List Appearance - Choose a template for your product list. The template you choose will define how your product list will display.
- Image Proportions - Choose the proportions of the images in your product list.
- Number of Columns - Set the number of columns in which you would like to display your product list.
- Columns Responsive - Choose between 'predefined' columns responsive settings, or set the column responsiveness manually for each responsive stage.
- Space Between Items - Choose a spacing between product items in the list.
- Enable Pagination - Set this option to "Yes" to enable pagination bullets.
Query
- Posts Per Page - Choose how many products you would like to display per page. Enter "-1" do display all products on a single page.
- Order by - Choose how you would like to order your products.
- Order - Choose between ascending and descending order.
- Additional Params - Here you can choose which additional parameters you wish to define for products featured in this product list.
- Post IDs - If you would only like to display certain products in your product list, enter the IDs of those products in this field.
- Taxonomy - Here you can choose to feature products from specific categories or with specific tags only.
- Taxonomy Slug - Input a taxonomy slug for the category/tag you wish to limit this product list to.
- Taxonomy IDs - Input taxonomy IDs for categories/tags you wish to limit this product list to.
- Author Slug - Input the slug corresponding to the author whose work you wish to display in this list.
- Filter By - Choose how you'd like to filter the products featured in this product list.
Layout
- Item Layout - Choose a style (layout and hover type) for the items in your portfolio list.
- Title Tag - Choose a heading tag for the titles in your portfolio list.