> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating custom shortcodes in WordPress

> This article describes how to create and use custom shortcodes in WordPress.

This article describes how to create and use custom shortcodes in [WordPress](https://hosting.com/hosting/platforms/wordpress-hosting).

Shortcodes are useful when you have to add dynamic or repeatable content to multiple areas of a WordPress site. By editing a shortcode, you can quickly change content in multiple areas of your site simultaneously, instead of editing multiple pages individually.

<Tip>
  WordPress includes several built-in shortcodes. To view a list of these shortcodes, please visit [https://wordpress.com/support/shortcodes](https://wordpress.com/support/shortcodes).
</Tip>

## Creating and using a shortcode

To create and use a shortcode in WordPress, follow these steps:

1. Log in to WordPress as the administrator.

2. On the Dashboard in the left sidebar, click **Appearance**, and then click **Theme Editor**:\
   ![WordPress - Dashboard - Appearance - Theme Editor](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-wordpress-dashboard-appearance-theme-editor.png)

3. In the right sidebar, under **Theme Files**, click **Theme Functions (functions.php)**.

4. Copy the following code snippet and then paste it at the bottom of the *functions.php* file:

```javascript theme={null}
function custom_shortcode() {
    // Change $message to the text you want to display:
    $message = 'Here is the shortcode text.';

    return $message;
} 

add_shortcode('my_custom_shortcode', 'custom_shortcode');
```

5. Click **Update File**. WordPress saves the changes to the *functions.php* file.

6. The shortcode is now enabled. To use it, open a post or page on the site, and then type `[my_custom_shortcode]` where you want to display the shortcode message text. For example:\
   ![WordPress - Custom shortcode example](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-wordpress-shortcode-example.png)

Save your changes, and then view the post:\
![WordPress - Custom shortcode example](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-wordpress-shortcode-example-2.png)

<Tip>
  You can create as many shortcodes as you want, as long as they have unique names in the *functions.php* file.
</Tip>

## More information

For more information about shortcodes in WordPress, please visit [https://wordpress.com/support/shortcodes](https://wordpress.com/support/shortcodes).

## Related articles

* [Adding a custom logo to WordPress](/docs/adding-a-custom-logo-to-wordpress)

* [Displaying the user count in WordPress](/docs/displaying-the-user-count-in-wordpress)

* [Using widgets in WordPress](/docs/using-widgets-in-wordpress)

* [Installing WordPress themes](/docs/installing-wordpress-themes)

* [Scheduling post publishing in WordPress](/docs/scheduling-post-publishing-in-wordpress)