How to use excerpt_more filter in WordPress

excerpt_more filter

Filters the string in the “more” link displayed after a trimmed excerpt.

To use excerpt_more filter, first, you have to register it using add_filter. You can write this code into functions.php of your activated theme or in a custom WordPress Plugin.

At WePlugins, we always prefer to create a custom WordPress Plugin while using hooks so nothing breaks when you update your WordPress Theme in the future.

In the below live example, we have defined a function modify_excerpt_more_defaults which takes 1 parameter and we registered it using add_filter. The first parameter excerpt_more is the name of the hook, the second parameter modify_excerpt_more_defaults is the name of the function which needs to be called, the third parameter is the priority of calling the hook if the same hook is used multiple times, and the last parameter is the number of arguments (if any) to be passed in the registered function.

Sometimes, you have to remove a registered hook so you can use remove_filter to remove excerpt_more filter.

Parameters

Below the 1 parameter is required to use this hook.

• $more_string : (string) The string shown within the more link.

Live Example

Change the excerpt more string

In this example, we are changing the default more string to an ellipsis.

    /**
     * Change the excerpt more string
     */
    function weplugins_excerpt_more( $more ) {
        return '…';
    }
    add_filter( 'excerpt_more', 'weplugins_excerpt_more' );
    

Modify the more string according to requirements

Here is an example of how you can use this hook to modify the more string based on your website’s requirements.

    function weplugins_modify_excerpt_more_defaults($more_string) { 
        // Update the $more_string variable according to your website requirements and return this variable. You can modify the $more_string variable conditionally too if you want.
        return $more_string; 
    }
    // add the filter
    add_filter( "excerpt_more", "weplugins_modify_excerpt_more_defaults", 10, 1 );
    

Remove a hook callback

To remove a previously registered hook callback, use the example below.

    remove_filter( "excerpt_more", "weplugins_modify_excerpt_more_defaults", 10, 1 );
    

Please make sure to provide the same callback function name, priority, and number of arguments while removing the hook callback.

Contact Us

If you’re having any trouble using this hook or need customization, please Contact Us and we’d be happy to assist you.