Creating/converting shortcodes

Hi there,

This article provides the code for creating shortcodes:

https://docs.generatepress.com/article/creating-a-shortcode/

Here's an example:

add_shortcode( 'about_us', function() {
    ob_start();
    // Start your PHP below
  
    echo '<p>About us content</p>';
  
    // End your PHP above
    return ob_get_clean();
} );

Thanks! I used the Code Snippets plugin to add your PHP code. Is that the best practice?

The content code I enter with the PHP has some Google Analytics tracking code, ie, onclick="ga('send', 'event', ...);". This sets off all kinds of error messages. How can I use the tracking code properly?

Code Snippets is fine. Unless you're using a Child Theme, then you can those codes your child functions.php

Do you have an example of the full code you're trying to add - might see something.

This is the piece of code causing problems:
onclick="ga('send', 'event', {eventCategory: 'Promotional', eventAction: 'Block ad in post', eventLabel: 'Mind Lab Pro'});"

All the errors I see pertain to this code (I'm testing on a staging site right now). This code causes no problems in the shortcode on the live site.

Any chance you can show us the full function you're adding?

What error messages are seeing, specifically?

Let us know :)

Here's the full code:

<!-- Post1, Mind Lab Pro -->
<div class="insidepostad">
<img src="https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/woman-watering-flower.jpg" alt="woman watering flower springing from her head" width="200" height="133" />
<p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">WHAT CAN A BRAIN SUPPLEMENT DO?<br><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Are you struggling with ...</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; color: #994200;">&#x27A4;</span> Fuzzy thinking and foggy focus?</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; color: #994200;">&#x27A4;</span> Growing forgetfulness?</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; color: #994200;">&#x27A4;</span> Shrinking ability to learn and problem-solve?</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; color: #994200;">&#x27A4;</span> Lack of mental energy and drive?</p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;">Mind Lab Pro can help your brain perform better.</p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://example.com/mind-lab-pro-review/">REVIEW: Why I recommend Mind Lab Pro for better mental performance.</a></p>
<p><em><strong>Dr. Pat</strong></em></p>
</div>

As for error messages, I can't copy them. There are 10 messages shown with a pink background when I hover over the red X on line 12.
Here are 2 examples:
Parse Error : syntax error, unexpected 'Mind' (T_STRING), expecting ';' on line 12
Parse Error : syntax error, unexpected '','' (T_CONSTANT_ENCAPSED_STRING), expecting ';' on line 12

All the T_STRING errors are very similar; the only difference is the value that follows "unexpected." All the T_CONSTANT_ENCAPSED_STRING errors are identical.

All this is occurring within the Code Snippets plugin.

Adding to the previous reply:
That's interesting. The code that I entered is not the code you see. In particular, the G Analytics tracking code is stripped. Also anything that does not begin with a paragraph tag. I assume you do this for security.

It sounds like the PHP syntax is breaking. Make sure your shortcode function looks like this:

add_shortcode( 'your_shortcode_name', function() {
    ob_start();
    ?>
  
    Add your HTML here.
  
    <?php
    return ob_get_clean();
} );

That worked. Thanks, Tom.

You're welcome :)