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How to Update and Manage Your Custom Shortcodes in Shortcodes Ultimate

21 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Wp shortcodes plugin — shortcodes ultimate

Content

Many users of the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate find themselves in a common situation: they've created a custom shortcode, only to realize later they need to change its settings. The frustration of not finding an obvious "edit" button is a frequent experience.

This guide will explain how the plugin handles custom shortcodes and provide the most effective methods for updating and managing them across your WordPress sites.

Understanding How Custom Shortcodes Work

Unlike the plugin's built-in shortcodes, the custom shortcodes you create using the Shortcode Creator are stored in your WordPress database as a custom post type. This means they function more like individual posts or pages. The process for modifying them is different from editing a plugin setting.

How to Update an Existing Custom Shortcode

You do not need to recreate a shortcode from scratch to update it. Follow these steps:

  1. In your WordPress admin menu, navigate to Shortcodes → Your Shortcodes (or Shortcodes → Manage shortcodes).
  2. You will see a list of all the custom shortcodes you have created. This interface is similar to the Posts or Pages screen.
  3. Hover over the shortcode you want to edit and click the Edit link that appears.
  4. This will open the shortcode builder with all your previously selected settings and custom code pre-filled.
  5. Make your desired changes and click Update to save them.

All instances of that shortcode used throughout your site will now use the updated configuration.

Managing Shortcodes Across Multiple Sites

A common challenge, especially for multisite networks, is managing the same custom shortcodes across different installations. The custom shortcodes are stored per site and are not available network-wide by default.

The recommended method for copying shortcodes is to use the Export & Import feature:

  1. On the site where the shortcodes are created, go to Shortcodes → Your Shortcodes.
  2. Use the export function (often a checkbox to select shortcodes and a bulk action to export) to download an XML file.
  3. On the new site, go to the same location and use the import function to upload the XML file.

This process is significantly faster than manually recreating each shortcode individually.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom shortcodes are editable. You can find them listed under Shortcodes → Your Shortcodes in your WordPress admin.
  • Think of them as content, not plugin settings. You manage them like you manage posts.
  • For multisite or multiple individual sites, use the export/import tool to efficiently duplicate your custom shortcode library.

By understanding where your custom shortcodes "live," you can quickly update and manage them without starting over.

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