In WordPress, the Excerpt field is primarily designed for Posts, as its primary purpose is to provide a short summary or excerpt of a blog post that is then displayed in archives or feeds. Pages, on the other hand, are typically static content, such as “About,” “Contact,” or “Services” pages, which do not require an excerpt in the same way. This is why WordPress does not natively include Excerpt fields for Pages.
However, if you need to add Excerpt fields to Pages, there are a few ways to achieve this:
Using a Plugin: There are several plugins available that can enable the Excerpt field for Pages. Search for plugins like “Advanced Custom Fields” or “Custom Post Type UI” which allow you to add additional fields to your WordPress Pages.
Custom Code in Functions.php: If you are comfortable with coding, you can add an Excerpt field to Pages by inserting a code snippet into your theme’s functions.php file. Here’s an example code snippet:
php
function add_excerpt_to_pages() {
add_post_type_support(‘page’, ‘excerpt’);
}
add_action(‘init’, ‘add_excerpt_to_pages’);
This code tells WordPress to add support for Excerpts in Pages.
Using Custom Fields: If you want a more straightforward solution, you can use the built-in Custom Fields feature in WordPress. When editing your Page, enable Custom Fields from the screen options and add a new custom field with a name like “Excerpt.” You can then add your desired text there and leverage it in your template files.
Page Builders: If you’re using a page builder plugin (like Elementor or WPBakery), check if they allow you to add excerpt-like functionality directly in their settings. Many modern page builders come with custom fields, text areas, or widgets that can function similarly.
By using any of these methods, you can successfully add Excerpt fields to your Pages in WordPress.
One response to “Why are Excerpt fields missing for Pages and only available for Posts, and how can this issue be fixed?”
This is a great post, shedding light on a common issue that many WordPress users encounter! It’s interesting to note the primary purpose that WordPress assigns to Posts versus Pages, and your explanation clarifies why Excerpt fields are not included by default in Pages.
For those considering the plugin route, I recommend checking user reviews and ensuring compatibility with your current theme and other plugins, as sometimes additional plugins can introduce conflicts or bloat. Also, keep in mind that while plugins like Advanced Custom Fields are powerful, they can also add complexity, especially for beginners.
The code snippet you provided is concise and effective, but it’s always a good practice to back up your site before editing the functions.php file to avoid any potential issues.
On another note, for users who prefer a lightweight approach, leveraging the block editor and customizing the output with reusable blocks can also provide a user-friendly way to handle excerpts without needing additional fields.
Ultimately, the choice between using a plugin, custom code, or a page builder will depend on individual user needs and the overall structure of their site. Thanks for sharing these practical solutions! Looking forward to more insights on enhancing WordPress functionalities.