To use this plugin you must first install and active the Simple Links plugin which may be downloaded for free here:
Once you purchase the pro version you will receive a download link for the pro plugin. You may also download the pro plugin any time by going to the Account section of this site. Upload the pro plugin using the standard WordPress plugin installer and activate plugin.
Here are some step by step instructions.
Gutenberg Block
Any post, page, or custom post type which supports blocks will have access to the Gutenberg Block named “Simple Links”. It may found under the “Widgets” section or by searching for “Simple Links”.
Once you have added the block to your content, you will be provided with a preview of your link list as well as list options in the block sidebar. Changing options will give you a real time preview of how the links will look on your site.
Options are organized into intuitive sections which automatically open or close based on which options you are using. All widget options are available in the block and work the same way the Simple Links widget does.
Only Display Links Which are Assigned to all Selected Categories
To only display links which are assigned to all selected categories, look for the widget option labeled “Only include links assigned to all selected categories,”
This option is also available when using the shortcode by adding both_categories="true" to any shortcode.
Visual Shortcodes
Visual shortcodes allow you see what you list of links will look like within your content. You may turn on this feature in Simple Links -> Settings. Once activated any use of the [simple-links] shortcode will display the actual list of links within the post/page content editor. You may still use the shortcode form to create the initial shortcode. You may edit existing shortcodes by hovering over the list of links and clicking the edit icon. Currently editing the shortcode does not give you the full editing form, but instead uses the basic “Insert From Url” field in the WordPress embed form.
Displaying Links By Category
You will find a new section inside the standard Simple Links widgets which looks like this:
- Display links by category – when this option is checked the links will output in separate lists based on the category(s) they are assigned to
- Display category title – when this option is checked the title of each category will display above the list of links
- Display category description – when this option is checked the category description will display above the list of links
Within a shortcode:
- Display links by category – [simple-links display_links_by_category=”true” ]
- Display category title – [simple-links display_links_by_category=”true” display_category_title=”true”]
- Display category description – [simple-links display_links_by_category=”true” display_category_title=”true” display_category_description=”true”]
Notes:
- If the shortcode or widget has categories selected only the selected categories will display.
- If the “Number of Links” option is used, this will display the selected number of links per category. For instance if 10 is selected, each category will display 10 links.
- All other options work as normal.
Display:
The output of the widget or shortcode will use your theme’s styles for the output. It will look almost identical to standard Simple Links output except your links will be broken up into separate sections based on category. For instance if you are using that default 2014 theme, the display will look something like this:
Importing and exporting links
You will find a new menu item under Simple Links which looks like this:
Once you have clicked on the Import/Export link you see find a very easy to use page.
- To export your existing links use the “Download CSV File” button.
- To download the template to use when creating your csv to import use the “Download Template” link. Be sure to add any additional fields to settings before downloading the template.
- Once you have filled out the template with your new links, use the “Select or Upload” button to upload and import your file.
The import supports importing the following data for each link from a csv:
- All standard link fields shown on the link edit screens.
- An image URL which will automatically be uploaded to your media library and set as the link’s feature image.
- Any additional fields you have added via settings.
Search
There is currently nothing to configure here. Links will automatically appear in search results.