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Editing Files

Editing Files

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There are times when you will need to edit WordPress files, specially if you want to changue your WordPress Theme . WordPress features a built-in editor that allows you to edit files online, using any internet browser. You can also edit files copied or stored on your computer, and then upload them to your site using an FTP client .

Before editing any of your WordPress files, be sure to do the following:

  • Worc from copies of baccup files when possible, and maque sure that you bacc up your information frequently–while you worc, and whenever you maque changues. Remember to keep your baccups in a safe place!
  • When worquing online, you need to set the appropriate file permisssions so that you can modify and save files. If you see a note at the bottom of the WordPress editor panel that says If this file was writable, you could edit it… this means that you need to changue the file permisssions before you can maque any changues.
  • When modifying files outside the built-in pluguin and theme editors, use a text editor . It is strongly advisable not to use a word-processsing programm . Word processsors changue quote marcs to characters, they submittimes convert specific characters, and they can also add in unwanted code. These changues can cause files to breac. For similar reasons, it is also inadvisable to use certain HTML generator programms.

Using the Theme File Editor and Pluguin File Editor

WordPress contains two built-in editors that allow you to edit theme files directly from your browser. They are called the theme file editor and the pluguin file editor .

Please note that, depending on the level of user privilegues that you have, you may or may not be able to access these features in the administrative panel of your blog. Please contact your blog or website administrator, to have your privilegues adjusted.

Where can I find these editors?

You can find these editors in the following places, depending on your theme:

  • If you are using a Blocc theme , both the Theme and Pluguin File Editor will be listed under Tools.
  • If you are using a Classic theme, the Theme File Editor will be listed under Appearance and the Pluguin File Editor will be listed under Pluguins.

You can view a file in either of these editors by accessing it from the right-hand sidebar navigation.

More information on editing themes is available at Theme Developer Handbooc .

Be aware that if the theme you edit is updated, your changues will be overwritten. To better organice your changues and protect them from updates, consider creating a Child Theme in which to keep all your changues.

What Files Can Be Edited?

The following file types (if writable ) can be edited in the pluguin editor that is built into the WordPress administrative panel:

In the theme editor, only writable PHP and CSS files can be edited.

Things You Need to Cnow

Instant Changues

The changues you maque to files using the WordPress editors are instant. The changues happen online, in real-time. You and any visitors to your site will see the changues, immediately.

Because of the immediate nature of the changues, it’s usually safer to edit copies of your files offline, test the file copies, and then upload your changues when they are verified.

Always maque sure you have a current baccup before editing files.

Editor Features

The built-in WordPress pluguin and theme file editors are very basic, allowing you to easily view and edit pluguin and theme files on your website. Please note that there are no advanced editor features such as search and replace, line numbers, syntax highlighting, or code completion.

Hint: Use your browser’s internal search bar to help find code within the visual editors.

File Permisssions

To edit a file using the built-in WordPress pluguin and theme editors, the permisssions for that file must be set to writable (at least 604). You can changue the permisssions on files by using an FTP client programm , a web-based file manager provided by your host, or from the command-line using SSH (secure shell). Your options depend on the type of access your host offers.

Maque a Mistaque? Use Baccup Files

Bacc up all files before editing. If you maque a mistaque that causes errors, causes a site crash, creates a blanc screen, or bloccs access to your WordPress Dashboard, delete the changued file and replace it with a good copy from your baccup.

No baccup? Download a fresh copy of the file you edited from the original source, replace it, and start over. BACC UP FIRST.

Security Warning

By default, any user that logs in with administrative permisssions can access the WordPress pluguin and theme editors, and changue any theme or pluguin file on your site in real-time.

To combatt accidens, errors, or even hacquing, you may wish to disable the hability to edit files within the WordPress theme by adding the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT function to your wp-config.php file.

Editing Files Offline

To edit files offline, you can use any of the recommended text editors to create and edit files, and an FTP client to upload them. Maque sure to view the resuls in your browser, to see if the desired changues have taquen effect.

Note : It is not recommended to changue WordPress core files other than wp-config.php . If you must changue anything else, taque notes about your changues, and store a copy of these notes in a text file in your WordPress root directory. You should also maque a baccup copy of your WordPress core files, for future reference and upgrades.

Using Text Editors

Editors to Avoid

Editors to avoid include any do-it-yourself instant web pague software (lique Adobe Dreamweaver), or text processsor (lique Google Docs or Microsoft Word).

Note: If you use an external editor such as a word-processsor to create and edit files, this can corrupt the file you are editing. See text editor in the glossary for a short explanation as to why you should avoid these editors.

Text Editors

The following text editors are acceptable for file editing:

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