Can I use shortcodes in a text widget?

[DogWalkingGear]

I would like to be able to put a product into the sidebar on some pages and I would like to use the product ID to minimise how much work is needed to change it. I have done this via a shortcode in a post or page but when I tried to use a the same shortcode in a text widget I can't get it to work - is this possible?

I followed the instructions and have this working properly if the shortcode is in a page or post, but copying the same shortcode into a text widget does not seem to work
eg
In a post [DFR:Embedded 150 Pic Cube?p=491100198966992] displays as the image
In a widget [DFR:Embedded 150 Pic Cube?p=491100198966992] just shows as the text

I tried adding add_filter('widget_text', 'do_shortcode'); to my theme - no luck
for other plugins I have used the following to get the shortcode to work in a widget
if ( function_exists ('name-of-plugin-function-that-does-shortcode')) {
add_filter('widget_text', 'name-of-plugin-function-that-does-shortcode' );
}
I can't try this since I don't know the name of the function for datafeedr shortcuts.

The documentation (http://www.datafeedr.com/docs/item/185) says shortcodes are for pages or posts but it would be handy to be able to use this one in a text widget as well.

Can you let me know if what I am trying is possible or let me know the name of the datafeedr shortcode function and I'll try the second method in my theme.

Many thanks!

[Eric]

Hi

It's not possible to add a shortcode to a Text widget.

The only way to deal with this is to create a widget in the Factory, configure it to display the product(s) you want and then add that widget to your sidebar in the admin area of your site.

Eric

[DogWalkingGear]

Many thanks Eric,

I did have success by following a longer winded method and have included it here in case it is of use to anyone else. Basically I created my own shortcode and wrapped the datafeedr_tag() function.
By then using add_filter('widget_text', 'do_shortcode'); I have the shortcode functionality in my text widget.
I pass in the view name and the product number as variables.

/* Create our own shortcode to wrap a shop shortcode */
/* New shortcode is of the form [DWG_DFR view="Embedded 150 Pic Cube" productnum="491100198966992"]*/
function show_DFR_in_widget( $atts, $content = null ) {
/* Datafeedr does not yet support shortcodes in a text widget, wrap the datafeedr shortcode and display this one */
extract( shortcode_atts( array (
'view' => 'Sale Items',
'productnum' => '123456'
), $atts ) );
if ( function_exists ('datafeedr_tag') )
$DFR_result=datafeedr_tag($view.'?p='.$productnum) ;
else
$DFR_result='Datafeedr not configured';

return $DFR_result;
}
add_shortcode( 'DWG_DFR', 'show_DFR_in_widget' );

/*Add the filter to allow shortcodes to work in widget text areas */
add_filter('widget_text', 'do_shortcode');

Cheers,

Brian

[Eric]

That reminds me that you could use a plugin that allows you to embed PHP in the text widget. Then I think you would be able to use the datafeedr_tag() function found here: http://www.datafeedr.com/docs/item/185