How to Sort Categories with the WooCommerce Shortcode: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction:
WooCommerce provides powerful shortcodes to display products, but the default category shortcode often lacks the flexibility needed for optimal presentation. One common requirement is the ability to sort the categories displayed by the shortcode, allowing you to prioritize specific categories or showcase them in a logical order. This article will guide you through several methods to achieve this, ensuring your online store looks exactly how you envision. We’ll cover various approaches, from simple customization to more advanced code implementations, empowering you to tailor the WooCommerce category shortcode to your specific needs. Let’s dive in!
Main Part:
The standard WooCommerce category shortcode, `[product_categories]`, offers limited sorting options by default. You can adjust the number of categories displayed and other basic attributes, but control over the display order is missing. Here are several ways to sort your product categories using custom code and plugins:
1. Understanding the Default `product_categories` Shortcode
Before jumping into sorting, let’s understand the basics. The basic shortcode looks like this:
[product_categories]
Common attributes you can include are:
- `limit`: The number of categories to display.
- `columns`: The number of columns to display the categories in.
- `hide_empty`: Whether to hide empty categories (true/false).
- `parent`: Display only child categories of a specific parent category ID.
These attributes do NOT control sorting. We need to add some custom code to achieve that.
2. Sorting Categories Alphabetically Using Custom Code
The easiest way to sort categories is alphabetically (ascending or descending). This involves filtering the WooCommerce function that fetches product categories. Here’s how:
/**
function my_custom_sort_product_categories( $args ) {
$args[‘orderby’] = ‘name’; // Sort by category name
$args[‘order’] = ‘ASC’; // Sort in ascending order (A-Z). Use ‘DESC’ for descending (Z-A)
return $args;
}
Explanation:
- This code uses the `woocommerce_product_categories_args` filter. This filter allows you to modify the arguments passed to the function that retrieves product categories for the `[product_categories]` shortcode.
- `$args[‘orderby’] = ‘name’;` sets the sorting criteria to the category name.
- `$args[‘order’] = ‘ASC’;` specifies ascending order (A to Z). To sort in reverse alphabetical order, change it to `$args[‘order’] = ‘DESC’;`.
How to Implement:
1. Access your theme’s `functions.php` file. This file is located in your WordPress theme’s directory. Important: Always back up your `functions.php` file before making changes.
2. Add the code snippet to the `functions.php` file. Paste the code at the end of the file, making sure not to break any existing code.
3. Save the file.
4. Clear your website’s cache (if you’re using a caching plugin) to see the changes.
3. Sorting Categories by Menu Order (Custom Order)
If you need more granular control, you can leverage the “Menu Order” feature within WooCommerce categories. To do this:
1. Go to Products -> Categories in your WordPress admin.
2. Edit each category you want to reorder.
3. In the “Order” field (usually found in the sidebar or under advanced settings, depending on your theme), enter a number. Lower numbers will appear first. Leave it at the default value of `0` if you don’t want to change the order of that particular Check out this post: How To Automate Orders With Woocommerce Plugin category.
4. Update the category.
Then, use the following code in your `functions.php` file:
/**
function my_custom_sort_product_categories_menu_order( $args ) {
$args[‘orderby’] = ‘menu_order’;
$args[‘order’] = ‘ASC’; // Ascending order is generally used for menu order.
return $args;
}
Explanation:
- `$args[‘orderby’] = ‘menu_order’;` tells WooCommerce to sort the categories according to the values you set in the “Order” field.
4. Using Plugins for Category Sorting
Several plugins offer user-friendly interfaces for sorting WooCommerce categories. These plugins often provide drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy to arrange your categories in the desired order without code. Examples include:
- Category Order and Taxonomy Terms Order: This popular plugin lets you reorder categories and other taxonomies using drag and drop.
- WooCommerce Category Sort and Display: Offers advanced options for displaying and sorting categories.
While plugins simplify the process, consider the potential for plugin conflicts and performance impact. Choose a well-maintained and reputable plugin.
5. Sorting by Category ID (Less Common)
While less common, you can sort by category ID if you have specific organizational needs. This requires knowing the IDs of your categories.
/**
function my_custom_sort_product_categories_id( $args ) {
$args[‘orderby’] = ‘term_id’;
$args[‘order’] = ‘ASC’; // Or ‘DESC’ for descending order
return $args;
}
Important Considerations:
- Cache Issues: After making changes to your `functions.php` file, be sure to clear your website’s cache (if you’re using a caching plugin). Caching can prevent the changes from appearing immediately.
- Theme Updates: When your theme receives an update, your changes to `functions.php` might be overwritten. It is strongly recommended to use a child theme to preserve your custom code during theme updates. A child theme inherits the look and functionality of your parent theme, but allows you to make modifications without directly altering the parent theme’s files.
- Plugin Conflicts: Always test your code or plugin after making any significant changes to your WooCommerce setup. Plugin conflicts can lead to unexpected behavior.
- Performance: While the provided code snippets are generally efficient, excessive Discover insights on How To Make A Variation Products In Woocommerce filtering or complex code can impact performance. Monitor your website’s speed after implementing changes.
Conclusion:
Sorting WooCommerce product categories within the `[product_categories]` shortcode is crucial for organizing your online store and improving the user experience. Whether you opt for alphabetical sorting, custom menu order, or a plugin-based solution, the methods outlined in this article provide you with the tools to achieve your desired category presentation. Remember to choose the approach that best suits your technical skill level and the complexity of your requirements, and always prioritize testing and security best practices. By implementing these strategies, you can create a well-organized and visually appealing online store, enhancing the browsing experience for your customers.
