Attaching Specific Attributes to Script Tags in WordPress
While working with WordPress, you might often come across the need to add specific attributes to your script tags. This can be tricky for novice users, yet it’s surprisingly simple once you understand the procedure. In this discussion, we will be focusing on how to add attributes to a script using a filter called ‘scriptloadertag’ and provide a practical example of how to apply it.
Introduction to WordPress Filters and the Script Loader Tag
Before diving into the specifics, let’s briefly define what WordPress filters are. Filters in WordPress are functions that allow you to ‘filter’, modify or extend certain data or content before it is processed further or sent to the browser. In essence, these elements are the key building blocks that allow you to tailor WordPress to your needs.
The ‘scriptloadertag’ is one such filter. Its purpose is to allow you to change the HTML string of a script tag just before it is displayed in the browser. This can be incredibly useful if you want to add extra attributes to your script tags.
Applying the Script Loader Tag Filter
To start working with this filter, you need to use a WordPress command called add_filter, which allows you to connect your own function to a specific filter hook.
For instance, the code sample:
add_filter(‘script_loader_tag’, ‘add_type_attribute’ , 10, 3);
This command connects the add_type_attribute function to the ‘scriptloadertag’ filter hook. The numbers 10 and 3 define the priority and accepted arguments for the function, respectively.
Customizing Script Tags
We also need to define our function that alters the script tag. The function we’re attaching to the filter, add_type_attribute, takes three parameters: $tag, $handle, and $src. Here’s how you can define the function:
function add_type_attribute($tag, $handle, $src) {
// if not your script, do nothing and return original $tag
if ( ‘your-script-handle’ !== $handle ) {
return $tag;
}
// change the script tag by adding type=””module”” and return it.
$tag = ”;
return $tag;
}
In this function:
- $tag contains the HTML of the script tag that will be outputted,
- $handle is the handle of the script as you registered it with WordPress,
- $src is the source location of the script.
The function works like this: If the handle does not match ‘your-script-handle’, it will leave the script tag unchanged. If it does match, it will set the script tag to a new version with the attribute type=””module”” added.
Now, all you have to do is replace ‘your-script-handle’ with the handle of the script you want to change, and you’re all set!
All in all, even though WordPress might seem daunting to beginners, with a little guidance and practice, you’ll realize it’s a very flexible tool. The freedom it offers, like adding specific attributes to scripts with the use of filters like ‘scriptloadertag’, is one of its many strong points. Good luck with your coding!