Using a shortcode for image reference in an element

Hi there,

why not use the Featured Image for the post/page for the Header Elements Background Image?

I'm making a "one page"-setup for "dummies", where I use forms and shortcodes for content. Trying to avoid having to explaing how to change elements or edit the page (if I allow them to edit the page, then there is the possibility of them messing up the setup of the one-page design). Preferably I would have used "Landing" from library, but there the top image is part of the content. I don't want to explain blocks, featured image etc, just lead them trough a form setup, with no frills, pick the image, fill out the text, and then use shortcodes in the block to make up the "one page"-website, using anchors to navigate like "landing" does. Pretty straightforward to set up, except for the image.

Whats the Form setup ? Are you using ACF or something similar to generate the content / shortcodess ?

I'm using formidable forms Pro, creating av view for the result that has the form of a shortcode.

Aah ok - well unfortunately what you're trying to do is not possible. Shortcodes return their content within the post content, you can't simply extract one of their attributes/properties that could be used to filter the Header Element background image.

What if I got the image path from a form-submission, would there be a way to use it for a header-element?
It's supposed to be a very "low threshold" way for new businesses to manage a "one page"-setup, without editing pages or elements.

It depends where the URL gets posted. Here for example is a Filter for changing the Hero background image using a custom field:

add_filter( 'generate_page_hero_background_image_url', function( $url ) {
    $background_image = get_field( 'category_featured_image' );

    if ( $background_image ) {
        $url = $background_image;
    }

    return $url;
} );

If you can get whatever variable the form submits you can parse it through that filter.

Or looking at Formidable Forms website its says under: User Submitted Posts & Pages - you can add a Featured Image....