How to create a language dropdown menu in WordPress
The wp_dropdown_languages function in WordPress is used to create a dropdown menu of available languages on a website. This can be useful for multilingual websites, allowing users to easily switch between different language options. It provides a user-friendly interface for language selection, making it easier for visitors to navigate the website in their preferred language.
By using the wp_dropdown_languages function, website administrators can enhance the user experience by providing a convenient way for visitors to access content in different languages without having to navigate through multiple pages or menus.
Parameters Accepted by wp_dropdown_languages Function
$args(string array, optional, default value: array()): Array or string of arguments for outputting the language selector
Value Returned by wp_dropdown_languages Function
The function returns a string HTML dropdown list of languages.
Examples
How to use wp_dropdown_languages to display a dropdown of available languages
Below is a code example of using the wp_dropdown_languages function to display a dropdown of available languages:
<?php
$args = array(
'id' => 'language-select',
'name' => 'language-select',
'languages' => array( 'en', 'fr', 'de' ),
'selected' => 'en',
'echo' => true,
);
wp_dropdown_languages( $args );
?>
This code snippet creates a dropdown select element with the available languages specified in the languages parameter. The default selected language is set to ‘en’ using the selected parameter.
How to use wp_dropdown_languages to display a dropdown of available languages without echoing
Below is a code example of using the wp_dropdown_languages function to generate a dropdown of available languages without echoing it directly:
<?php
$args = array(
'id' => 'language-select',
'name' => 'language-select',
'languages' => array( 'en', 'fr', 'de' ),
'selected' => 'en',
'echo' => false,
);
$dropdown = wp_dropdown_languages( $args );
echo $dropdown;
?>
This code snippet creates a dropdown select element with the available languages specified in the languages parameter. The generated HTML for the dropdown is stored in the $dropdown variable and then echoed to the page.
How to use wp_dropdown_languages to display a dropdown of available languages with a custom label
Below is a code example of using the wp_dropdown_languages function to display a dropdown of available languages with a custom label:
<?php
$args = array(
'id' => 'language-select',
'name' => 'language-select',
'languages' => array( 'en', 'fr', 'de' ),
'selected' => 'en',
'show_available_translations' => false,
);
wp_dropdown_languages( $args );
?>
This code snippet creates a dropdown select element with the available languages specified in the languages parameter. The show_available_translations parameter is set to false to hide the label “Available Translations”.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the wp_dropdown_languages function is a valuable tool for developers looking to create a user-friendly language selection dropdown menu for their WordPress sites. With its customizable options and easy implementation, it provides a seamless way for users to switch between languages on multilingual websites. By utilizing this function, developers can enhance the user experience and make their websites more accessible to a global audience.