# Downloads Shortcode

You can easily output a list or grid of downloadable products using the \[\[downloads\]\] shortcode. This shortcode accepts a variety of parameters that allow you to specify what downloads are displayed, and how they are displayed.

To show downloads with the default configuration, use this:
**\[\[downloads\]\]**

This will output the downloads in a three column grid with thumbnails (if present), a 30 word excerpt, and a purchase button that says "Add to Cart".

If you wish to modify this output, here is a list of the parameters:

- category
- exclude\_category
- tags
- exclude\_tags
- relation
- number
- price
- excerpt
- full\_content
- buy\_button
- columns
- thumbnails
- orderby
- order
- ids
- pagination=true/false

Both the category* and *tags* parameters accept a comma separated list of IDs. For example:

```
[[downloads category="7,15" tags="16,17"]]
```

You can find a category's ID by going to *Dashboard → Downloads → Categories*, then click "edit" below the category in question. On the page that loads, look at the URL in the address bar and find "tag\_ID=". The number after it is the category ID.

![](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/6184cc8f8b544.jpg)Use the same process to find a tag ID by going to *Dashboard → Downloads → Tags.*

The *exclude\_category* and *exclude\_tags* parameters are used to prevent downloads with specific categories or tags from being displayed. Use a comma separated list of IDs for each.

The *order* parameter accepts either *"DESC"* or *"ASC"*.

The *orderby* parameter accepts the following options:

- price
- id
- random
- post\_date *(default)*
- title

If *orderby* is set to *random*, pagination will be disabled to prevent subsequent pages from showing already-displayed products.

The *number* and *columns* parameters accept a numerical value. Specify the maximum number of downloads you want to outputted by the shortcode, as well as the number of columns. For example:

```
[[downloads number="15" columns="3"]]
```

The relation* option is for specifying whether the downloads displayed have to be in ALL the categories/tags provided, or just in at least one. Use "AND" for showing downloads that are filed in every category/tag (very specific), and use "OR" for showing downloads filed in any of the given categories/tags. Leave both of these blank to show all downloads.

*Price, excerpt, full\_content*, and *buy\_button* accept "yes" or "no".

The *thumbnails* parameter requires "true" or "false".

The *ids* parameter accepts specific download IDs. You can specify multiple download IDs using comma separated values. For example:

```
[[downloads ids="3,4,17"]]
```

**Example:**

```
[[downloads category="14,15" number="10" columns="2"]]
```

#### Customizing the output programmatically in your child theme:

It is possible to customize the content that is output by the \[\[downloads\]\] shortcode by moving the template files into your child theme's folder. Specifically, you'll likely want to move the template file called "shortcode-download.php", or one of its child files into your child theme's folder. To do this, follow the guide in [this doc](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/moving-edd-templates-to-your-theme/). Note that doing this requires advanced WordPress theme coding knowledge. If you require assistance with this, we have a [consultants page](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/customize-easy-digital-downloads/) with professionals available for hire for custom code-related jobs like this.