Unraveling the Mysteries of Viewing HTML Code in WordPress

WordPress is an incredibly popular platform for website development, but accessing the HTML code behind your posts and pages can be complicated. Fear not, intrepid reader! In this article, we’ll examine several methods for viewing HTML code in WordPress.

Method 1: Previewing in HTML Mode

If you’re composing a post or page in WordPress using the visual editor, the HTML code might not be immediately visible. To view the code, click on the “Text” tab above the editor. This will initiate a display showcasing the HTML code for the page you’re amending.

It’s worth noting, however, that WordPress’s visual editor automatically converts the page content to HTML while editing. If you want to see the original code, switch to the “Text” mode.

Method 2: Inspecting Elements in Your Browser

Another way to access the HTML code for a web page is by using your browser’s “Inspect Element” functionality. Simply right-click on the element you want to examine, select “Inspect Element,” and your browser will display the corresponding HTML code within its developer tools panel.

From this point, you can navigate through the HTML code and make changes as necessary. Remember, though, that any changes you make will only impact the currently viewed page and not the website’s actual code.

Method 3: Use a Code Editor Plugin

WordPress plugins are available that allow you to view and modify HTML code without accessing the “Text” mode or even your browser’s console. One popular plugin is the “WP Code Editor.”

After installing and activating the plugin, you can access your website’s HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code directly from your WP dashboard. But, be aware that editing code with this plugin requires a certain amount of HTML knowledge. Caution is advised when making changes.

Method 4: Use FTP to Access HTML Code

For the more advanced WordPress and web developers, accessing website HTML code via FTP is an option. FTP, which stands for “file transfer protocol,” is used to ferry files between your computer and your website’s hosting server.

To employ FTP to access your website’s HTML code, you’ll need to download FTP client software, such as FileZilla, Cyberduck, or WinSCP. Once installed, you can use the software to connect to your website’s hosting server, navigate to the correct directory, and access the HTML files.

With the HTML files downloaded, open them in a text editor like Notepad or Sublime Text, make your revisions, and then upload the updated file to the server.

In Conclusion

Various approaches to viewing and modifying website HTML code exist within WordPress, catering to all levels of coding proficiency. If you’re just starting with WordPress, using the “preview in HTML mode” is a sound method. However, if you intend to make more comprehensive changes, using a code editor plugin or FTP would be prudent. Exercise caution when modifying website code as errors could result in website breakdowns.