Showing Specific Details of a Download Item Using a Shortcode

Normally you use a fancy box which allows you to show the description, thumbnail image, title, download count and download button. However, in some cases you may wish to show only specific aspects of a download item. In this tutorial I will explain how to do that.

Many users either wish to show all the download information or none. Alternatively there are users who wish to show only specific aspects of their downloads. The Download Monitor plugin gives you the ability to use individual shortcodes to show exactly what download information should be shown. You can choose which of the following aspects of your download you wish to show:

• The title of your download
• The description of your download
• The URL of your download 
• The thumbnail image of your download
• The file size of the downloadable item
• The file version of the download 
• The download count 

This can be useful if you want to show the downoad item using your own design. You use the shortcode to output the info and then apply CSS to customize how it looks.

When are these Specific Shortcodes Used?

In some cases, a website owner would like to list the qualities or information for a specific downloadable item that they are offering to their users. For instance, if I would like to list the title, thumbnail and file size of an item I have available for download I could simply paste three simple shortcodes on my WordPress page beneath a blog I have written about the download.

• When a website owners needs extensive customization. The details can be wrapped in CSS classes and styled as you please.
• When a list of details about a download is needed.
• When a download may change in the future. If you have used these shortcodes, the information will be pulled directly from that download and will show it on the page/post. This means that you will not have to go back and edit each individual page you have listed information about your download on.

Example of Specific Shortcode Usage

Using a Shortcode to Show Specific Download Information

1. Create a post/page where you would like to display your downloadable item’s information.
2. Give your post/page a title and choose which information you would like to display.
3. Copy and paste the desired shortcode from the choices below into the WordPress editor.
4. Edit the ‘id’ parameter from ‘123’ to the actual ID of your chosen downloadable item.
5. Publish your page.

Example Shortcode

Below is an example shortcode:

[sdm_show_download_info id=”123″ download_info=”title”]

The “id” parameter refers to the downloadable item’s id and the “download_info” parameter is for the information you wish to show for that item.

Locating Downloadable Item’s ID Shown Below

Showing Just the Title of Your Download

[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="title"]

Showing Just the Description of Your Download

[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="description"]

Showing Just the URL of Your Download

[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="download_url"]

Showing Just the Thumbnail Image of Your Download

[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="thumbnail"]

Getting the Raw Thumbnail URL of Your Download

[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="thumbnail_url"]

Showing Just the File Size of Your Download

[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="file_size"]

Showing Just the File Version of Your Download

[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="file_version"]

Showing Just the Download Count of Your Download

[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="download_count"]

CSS Customization Tips

If you are good with CSS then you can customize the CSS and make the display look just how you want it to look. For example, copy and paste the following in “Text View” of the WordPress post or page editor:

<div class="my-custom-download-display">
<div class="my-custom-download-display-name">[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="title"]</div>
<div class="my-custom-download-display-description">[sdm_show_download_info id="123" download_info="description"]</div>
</div>

Now, you can add definition for the “my-custom-download-display”, “my-custom-download-display-name” etc. classes in the CSS file to customize how they look.