How to Change Excerpt Length

To change the excerpt length in WordPress, you typically have two main options:

1. Use the WordPress Excerpt Length Filter

This involves adding a snippet of code to your theme’s functions.php file. Here’s a basic example of how to do it:

1. Access Your Theme’s Functions.php File:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard.
• Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor.
• On the right-hand side, find and click on the functions.php file.

1. Add the Excerpt Length Code:

• Add the following code snippet to the file: function custom_excerpt_length( $length ) { return 20; // Change 20 to the number of words you want } add_filter( 'excerpt_length', 'custom_excerpt_length', 999 );
• In this code, replace 20 with the number of words you want your excerpts to be.

1. Save Changes:

• Click the “Update File” button to save your changes.

2. Use a Plugin

If you’re not comfortable editing code, you can use a plugin:

1. Install an Excerpt Length Plugin:

• Go to Plugins > Add New.
• Search for “excerpt length” and choose a plugin that suits your needs (e.g., “Advanced Excerpt” or “Excerpt Length”).
• Install and activate the plugin.

1. Configure the Plugin Settings:

• After activation, navigate to the settings page of the plugin (usually under Settings or directly in the dashboard menu).
• Adjust the excerpt length as per the plugin’s options.

Important Notes:

• Always back up your site before making changes to theme files.
• If you update your theme, you may need to re-add the code snippet unless you’re using a child theme.
• Some themes have their own excerpt length settings, so check your theme’s documentation or settings first.

Remember, the exact steps can vary depending on your WordPress theme and the version of WordPress you are using.