I am trying to execute code in a block such that I can display the title and description of a forum topic.

I noticed that the Custom HTML block doesn't seem to allow me to execute PHP.

What is the standard way to do what I am trying to do? Maybe I have to create a custom shortcode?

thanks, Brian

I am trying to execute code in a block such that I can display the title and description of a forum topic.

I noticed that the Custom HTML block doesn't seem to allow me to execute PHP.

What is the standard way to do what I am trying to do? Maybe I have to create a custom shortcode?

thanks, Brian

• shortcode
• block-editor

• Yes a shortcode would work, but the ‘standard’ way would be to create a block for it. – Jacob Peattie Commented Oct 13, 2019 at 11:54

1 Answer 1

The easy way would be to create a Shortcode in the functions.php file of your theme and then use it in Gutenberg.

Gutenberg has a built-in block to add shortcodes.

Basically, you will add the following code to your functions.php file,

function get_forum_post_information( $atts ) {
    // The PHP Code that you want to execute to get the Title and Description.
    return your_stuff;
}
add_shortcode( "get_forum_post_information", "get_forum_post_information" );

Once you are done creating your shortcode, you can simply go to Gutenberg, click the + button to add a new Block, search for Shortcode, then select it.

Gutenberg will put in a block that can be used to run that shortcode. Then simply enter the shortcode in that block as below,

[get_forum_post_information]

Note: You can also pass function parameters through the shortcode if you would like and then access them through the $atts array in the function. A shortcode always returns something to be echoed.

Read more about Shortcodes on the WordPress Codex

Read about the Gutenberg Shortcode Block