WordPress Widget Changer Plugin
This plugin is not compatible with WP2.7
I am officially retiring this Widget Changer plugin, which means I won’t be providing any more support or update. If anyone wish to take over the project, feel free to contact me.
What is this plugin about?
WordPress allows you to add plenty of widgets to your sidebar; however all these widgets are static for all pages and there is no means to schedule a particular widget to appear for a specific post.
What this plugin does is to add a dynamic widget to your sidebar. You can configure it to show a particular widget for a certain post/page. For example, if your blog is about traveling and one of your post is about traveling to Italy. You may want to show the air fare to Italy on the sidebar when this post is loaded. However, your other posts may be discussing trips to France, and the Italy air fare will no longer be valid in this case. In the case of Widget Changer, you can configure the dynamic widget to show the air ticket to Italy on the Italy post and air ticket to France when the post is discussing about France.
Download WP-Widget-Changer plugin here.
Installation
1. Upload the ‘widget-changer.php‘ to the ‘/wp-content/plugins/‘ directory.
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins‘ menu in WordPress
How to use it?
For Wordpress 2.5
1. Go to Settings -> Widget Changer. Set the user permission.
2. Select whether you want the widget to appear in a specific post/page or for specific category.
3. Go to Design -> Widgets. Drag the ‘Widget Changer‘ widget to the sidebar and place it at the order that you want it to appear. Note that the ‘Recent Posts’ widget must not be above the ‘Widget Changer’ widget.
4. If you have selected the widget to appear for specific posts/pages, you can see the Widget Changer input field below the text field at the Write menu. Fill in the Widget Title field and place your widget code in the text area. When you have finished editing your content, click ‘Publish‘ (or ‘Save‘ if you are editing an existing post/page). Your widget will now show for this particular post/page.
5. If you have selected the widget to appear on certain categories, you can manage and insert the category widget in the Settings -> Widget Changer page.
For WordPress 2.3.3 and below
1. Go to Options -> Widget Changer. Set the user permission.
2. Select whether you want the widget to appear in a specific post/page or for specific category. Note that the ‘Recent Posts’ widget must not be above the ‘Widget Changer’ widget.
3. In your Admin menu, go to Presentation -> Widgets. Drag the ‘Widget Changer‘ widget to the sidebar and place it at the order that you want it to appear.
4. If you select the widget to appear for specific posts/pages, you can see the Widget Changer input field below the ‘Publish‘ button at the Write menu. Fill in the Widget Title field and place your widget code in the text area. When you have finished editing your content, click ‘Publish‘ (or ‘Save‘ if you are editing an existing post/page). Your widget will now show for this particular post/page.
5. If you have selected the widget to appear on certain categories, you can manage and insert the category widget in the Options -> Widget Changer page.
Download WP-Widget-Changer plugin here.
Current version: 1.2.4
Changelog
Version 1.2.4
- Fixed a bug of “ads in category widget cannot be removed“
Version 1.2.3
- Updated the code to make it compatible with WP 2.5.1
Version 1.2.2
- Fixed a minor bug that prevent the widget content from showing in the Write section.
Version 1.2.1
- Simple code change to rectify widget input field not showing issue.
Version 1.2.0
- Compatible withWordPress 2.5
- Change of database structure
- Fix categories widget entry bug
- Fix widget not showing bug
- Change of category widget entry point
- Better category widget management
Version 1.1.3
- Allow users to select if they want the widget to appear on specific posts or specific categories.
- Added widget input field in the Manage->Categories menu
- New database structure
- Auto-clean up the database everytime a new widget is added.
Version 1.1.2
- The widget input field in the ‘Write Post’ menu can now be minimized.
Version 1.1.1
- Fixed a widget not showing bug.
Version 1.1.0
- Added an option page for administrator to define the plugin user permission. Administrator can now define which level of users have access to the plugin in the write post/page section.
- Fix the ‘no widget but have bullet list display’ bug. In previous version, post/page with no widget setup will have a bullet/asterisk on the sidebar. This is fixed in 1.1.0
- Change of database structure. Post/page with no widget setup will not be inserted to the database
- smaller text area
Version 1.2.5
- Fixed the ‘recent posts’ bug. It should now work with recent post widget
- WordPress 2.6 compatible
If you like this plugin, you can show your support by giving donation to aid in the development cost.
Update: I am retiring this WP plugin and will no longer provide anymore support. If you wish to take over the project, feel free to contact me.
5 pingbacks/trackbacks (Click to open)
- New WordPress Plugin: WP Widget Changer - Make Tech Easier
- WP Widget Changer_Wordpress plugin
- Skylog » Blog Archive » links for 2008-05-15
- WordPress widgets???? - WordPress Widget Changer | ??|??
- Webmercial.dk » links for 2008-10-24
[Click to close]95 Responses
I have just released the latest version of the Widget changer plugin. This version is WP2.5 compatible and fixed some of the common bugs. Please upgrade to the v1.2.0.
Note: In the widget section, please do not place the ‘Recent post’ widget above the ‘widget changer’ widget.
Hi,
I have tried everything but widget changer v.1.2.0 does not work with wordpress 2.5. Widget changer does not appear in the write menue. What can I do ?
Hans
@H.Braune: did you deactivate and reactivate the plugin? You have to go to Settings -> Widget Changer to set your preferences.
Hi,
yes, I did it all ! I have worked with widget changer in wordpress 2.3.3 without any problem. Could any other plug-in
deactivate widget changer ?
H.Braune
I have the same issue as H.Braune. I have WP2.5 and trying to install widget changer for the first time. I have tried to install/reinstall, checked the settings but I can’t get this to work. The widget changer show on the widgets page and I can add it to my side bar but it doesn’t show on my pages or posts area.
Just to be sure you didn’t miss it: You have to fill out the Widget Changer content field at the bottom of each post, page or category (in your admin interface – depending on your Options->WC settings) to make anything appear on your site. :-)
Kj
I installed the plugin version 1.2.0 in WP 2.5.
I made all you writed, but when I want to manage one page, I can´t see any Widget Changer input field below the ?Publish? button (or Save button). It´s posible the theme can´t support the plugin?
Here is a similar plugin that allows for multiple instances of widgets to be added through a ‘drag and drop’ interface without the need for editing code.
http://www.lancelhoff.com/2007/08/29/wordpress-duplicate-sidebar-widgets/
Some of you have mentioned that the widget input field is nowhere to be found in the post/page section. It seems that the WordPress theme is causing some problems here. I have released the latest version, with some simple code change. Hopefully, this will work. Please get back to me if there still any errors.
Nice plugin. Working fine (I’m on 2.3.3). Is there a way to have multiple Widget changer boxes (like how I can choose to have multiple text widgets)? It would be helpful. Thanks.
Sorry Damien,
I have tried 1.2.1 version but I cant see input field nowhere.
I deleted cache but nothing.
Thank you for all.
Hi, Damien,
now, widget changer works without any problem. Widget changer is a very important plug-in in my wordpress-website. Thank you for your work!
H.Braune
Hello Damien,
I am pleased to announce that I have upgraded to WordPress 2.5 and the Widget Changer works beautifully (I originally posted with errors, #40). Thanks for all of the work you have put into it. And keep up with the good work you are doing. Most importantly, thanks for considering user feedback.
I’ve tried to use your Paypal button twice and got an error message.
@Brena: Thanks for your feedback and help to make this plugin a better one. The paypal button is fixed.
Hi!
After upgrading to WP 2.5 (and WC 1.2.1) I’ve discovered that the contents I add to a post’s WidgetChanger field tends to disappear. he first time I save the post, it stays. If I re-save it, its gone.
Could there be a plugin conflict, for instance with Widget Logic? (I believe I read that WC won’t work with every other widget plugin.)
Otherwise a truly useful plugin!
Thanks,
Kjetil
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/widget-logic/#post-4695
@Kjetil: Thanks for your feedback. I will look into it, and get back to you soon.
Would be great! Its a bit impractical as it is now, but it would be very useful to get it working.
E-mail me if you could need eg. a plugin list for eventual conflicts, OK?
Thanks again,
Kjetil
Believe you made it!
Thanks a lot!
Give you further feedback when I have, but it looks FINE.
Kjetil
WordPress has informed me (via my plugins menu) that there is a new version of WC,1.2.2. I am still currently using 1.2.1. Did you change anything significant? In other words, what would I gain by downloading the update version?
@ Brena: See post 68
With version 122 you won’t have to re-enter your WC content every time you edit (and then save) a post. A great improvement, I would say.
@ Damien: Thanks again for fixing it so quickly.
If I should put anything on a wish list, it would be the possibility to edit the contents in wysiwyg or with TinyMC – though making the correct code in eg Dreamweaver actually works quite well.
:o)
@Brena: Yes, the 1.2.2 update fixes a minor bug that prevent the widget content from showing on the Write section. It has now been fixed.
@kjetil: Thanks a lot for your feedback. You have been a great help to the development of this plugin. As for the TinyMCE or wysiwyg input box, I foresee there will be some conflicts with the text/html conversion that will interfere with the actual layout of the widget. Nevertheless, I will take a look and see if I can integrate it in.
Your welcome, it’s the least one can do when someone puts time and effort in helping others with useful tools, right?
One funny thing, though:
After upgrading to WP251 the WC field in the Write post panels won’t collapse anymore. No big deal – it even works as a reminder (because I use it on almost every post) – I just thought you should know. (Also, the little rectangle with the expand triangle to the very left of the WC’s title is missing) Tested in Firefox, Safari and Opera.
Apart from that: Perfect!
Thanks
Hi,
I have upgraded WP 2.5 to 2.5.1. Now, WC’s input-field doesnot appear in the write section. Is there any idea how to solve this problem ?
H.Braune
@H.Braune: I have checked the code and it is fully compatible with 2.5.1. Can you check your upgrade procedure again?
Hi,
I have checked my upgrade from wp 2.5 to 2.5.1, and – for a test -I have made a new wp-installation with wp 2.5.1. Sorry, but wc didn’t work as it should work: the wc input-field appears only in the write- and manage-section for posts ( the field doesnot collapse, but this not so important), the wc input-field doesnot appear in the write- and manage-section for pages.
I’m having the same problem as H.Braune. It only appears in “write post” and not in “write page”
Sorry, I forgot to subscribe to this string via emails, so I’m posting again to subscribe.
@ H.Braune and Boruch Siper: this thing has really got me down. I have tested the plugins on several platforms and they all worked fine (ie it shows up on the ‘write page’ section). Would you like to help me debug by providing me with more information, such as the plugins you used, the settings, screenshots etc)?
Is there anyone else having this problem of the input field not showing up on the ‘write page’ section?
Damien, I created a picasa album with two screenshots, one is “write page and “write post” so you can see for your self.
Sorry here is a link to the album: http://picasaweb.google.com/boruchsiper/TestPlugin
Thanks to Boruch Siper, I have fixed the plugin. It should be working fine now. Get the latest version (1.2.3) here or upgrade automatically through your wordpress plugin page.
Hello, I too join the chorus of GREAT plugin. However, I am having a very annoying little issue. Before this latest update, I had a ad in a category that I did not want there. I erased it, but it’s still on the page. Went back to options, it was still in the category. Erased it again, saved, still there. No matter how many times I erase it, it does not go away, it simply reemerges. Any word on how to stop this?
Hey Damien, awesome widget…thank you. I was having the same problem with a widget not changing. I just found out that it has to be a new post for the new widget to show. Hope that helps.
Next is that I can only customize a widget category and not the post. I don’t see any options you mention like the input field.
I’m running both current WP and WC
@Mpaper: Thanks for the feedback. The problem is due to an oversight on my side. The bug is fixed now. You should be able to remove the ad from the category section.
@Tom: If you have opt to display the widget for specific category, there won’t be any input field in the post section. You can’t add widget to both the post and category at the same time as it will cause confusion.
Hi, Damien. First I want to say congrats and thank you for such a great plugin. Hopefully an example of the future of WordPress.
Now, I unfortunately have to say that I cannot get it to work on all sites. The custom doesn’t show on the Page or post editor (yes, it’s set for Pages and posts).
I tried a lot of variations when I couldn’t get it to work because I really want to use and recommend it. I’m using release 1.2.4 on wp 2.5.1. The only time I can get it to work is on a top level domain on its own server or in a reseller account. I canNOT get it to work if wp is installed on an addon domain or subdomain or in a subdirectory.
Did your testing include any of these? Is there any other info I can provide that would help?
Chris
Great plugin and very useful for content focused side data. Is there a tag I can use to put it in a NON-widget sidebar.
TIA
I apologize for not replying to the comment. I have been busy with my projects for the past few weeks and have not able to squeeze out time for the development of this plugin.
@chris: this plugin was not tested on a sub-domain, but it should work in a subdirectory. I would appreciate you contact me directly via the contact form and attach some screenshots for debugging.
@Rachelle: the tag feature is not possible yet.
Wonderful plugin and so very handy.
Was wondering if there’s a solution for those that have themes with idtabs in sidebar.php. Via the widget menu all widget are placed below the idtabs. Recent posts are included in these idtabs, so your plugin just wont work unless I call it in the sidebar.php file.
Not sure how to do that – although I’ve tried several – trial and error codes – all wrong. But would be grateful to hear from you on this point.
Thanks so much
Now it’s my turn to apologize for slow response. Thanks for your reply, Damien. I’ll be away for weekend, so next week will send screenshots or let you log into my test site when you are available.
Thanks for your efforts!