HowTo: Limit Count when using tribe_mini_calendar shortcode?

[Preston Davis]

I’m using the mini calendar of front-page.php like so:

echo do_shortcode( '[tribe_mini_calendar]' );

1. This shows the mini-calendar
2. But it also shows a listing beneath the calendar of every entry for that month
3. If there are many events for any month, this can cause the page layout to blow-up

Question: Is there any way to limit the count, like so?

echo do_shortcode( '[tribe_mini_calendar count=2]' );

Alternative: I also have the option of adding another widgetized area on front-page.php, but was wondering if I can do the above instead.

[Preston Davis]

Typo: First line should read: I’m using the mini calendar on front-page.php like so:

[George]

Hey Preston,

Unfortunately, at this time the only way to alter the number of events shown from that widget is the “Number of events shown:” field in the widget itself – to edit this from the shortcode, you’d have to edit code directly in the plugin files, which is usually a bad idea.

Sorry to disappoint here Preston. What are your thoughts on this? Is editing core plugin code directly something you’re willing to take a chance with?

As for your issues with an unlimited number of events showing up beneath your instances of that shortcode, if you try just using the widget directly – like adding a widget area on front-page.php or something – does this issue persist? Or are you indeed able to set the number of events to show up using the “Number of events shown:” widget option?

— George

[Preston Davis]

Ok George,

So it sounds like there is no way to limit the count of events shown via a shortcode (w/o hacking at core). So I guess this leaves creating a new widgetized area. Not a deal breaker. But I must say, with such a fabulous plugin, I’m a bit “taken aback” by the *cough* primitive *cough* approach to shortcodes. Maybe there is a reason beyond my understanding as to why there are so few options.

Anyway, widgetized area it is.

Thanks for responding.

Preston

[George]

Hey Preston,

You’re not alone in being dissatisfied with our shortcode functionality – I’m sorry about that, and sorry you’re disappointed and/or frustrated here.

Our shortcodes definitely could use some improvement, and it’s something we are indeed aware of here – though every release cycle, it’s one of those things that gets unintentionally pushed aside as a bunch of other stuff crops up that takes all our attention and resources, and only incremental tweaks are made here and there to our shortcode functionality.

With that being said, however, adding a widget area and using widgets there is quite an acceptable solution in most cases, and I hope you find that this is true for your own project.

In the meantime, if shortcodes are your true love :), one thing worth recommending is a free add-on plugin made by one of our awesome developers, Barry – it’s called “Event Rocket”, and though not an official or supported plugin, it does come with some robust shortcodes and other functionality that a lot of customers have found really helpful. Check it out (totally free!) here → https://wordpress.org/plugins/event-rocket/

That might help.

Stay tuned to updates, as we do want to make our shortcodes more useful – and feel free to post on our UserVoice page about any specific features you’d like to see in the plugin, we pay attention to this page and it’s one of the best ways to have your voice as a customer heard → http://tribe.uservoice.com/forums/195723-feature-ideas

Let us know what you think about all this Preston, or if you have any other questions or concerns.

Cheers!
George

[Preston Davis]

Hey George,

Yep, I widgetized the area. It’s all good.

No, Im not so much “disappointed” as “surprised” by the lack of shortcodes.

Event Rocket: I looked at that before posting here. What stopped me was this statement by the plugin author…

1) I recommend you stop using it
As of the 3.9 release, Events Calendar PRO ships with its own shortcode that is, essentially, a port of [event_rocket_calendar]:

so….

At any rate, I’ll likely add my $0.02 on UserVoice.

Thanks Again,
Preston

[George]

Hey Preston,

Thanks for the update here, definitely do indeed stay tuned to Events Calendar PRO updates because better shortcode support is something we’re quite interested in.

Go make your voice heard on UserVoice! 🙂 We take the feedback there seriously and appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts there. If one user is vocal about an issue or a feature they’d find useful, then usually there are dozens more who want the same thing but don’t speak up.

Thanks Preston, best of luck with your project!

George

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