How to Extend Post Excerpt and Add Read More Button in Metro Theme?

[gabrielgmoura]

Hi SP Community,

I have two problems I'm trying to solve. I bet they are quite easy to fix, I'm just not an expert in coding or web design. In any event, I thank you in advance for your assistance:

1) How can I extend the character count in the post excerpts of my homepage blogroll? Sometimes when images are too tall, the text cutoff creates an empty area without any content. I would like to rectify that.

2) I also would like to create a CONTINUE READING or READ MORE button at the end of the excerpt. How can I do that?

To illustrate:

I am using the Metro Theme. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

All the best,
Gabriel

http://www.elementsofcinema.com

[Erik D. Slater]

I generally advise people to use "Display post content" over "Display post excerpts" ... and then use the <!--more--> quicktag directly inside posts because it gives you much more control and flexibility over what you want to show on your blog listings than excerpts.

For example, your most recent blog post might look something like the following when you go to the editor:
Cinematography is one of the most involved aspects of filmmaking. Arguably, it also the most important. Writers and directors be damned, without the camera, cinema would not exist.
<!--more-->
And it’s how the camera is manipulated or utilized that different forms of cinema are created. etc, etc, etc

This would give you a "read more" link as well.

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Erik D. Slater: Digital Platform Consultant • LinkedIn

[gabrielgmoura]

Hi Erik,

Thank you so much. That does work.

Although I have more control, it is still a bit cumbersome to add the quicktag (I fear I will often forget to add it to posts), so I was wondering if there's a way to preset the number of characters that are displayed before the cutoff point.

Now that I see that the text loses all its formatting, the resulting blocks of text are actually unattractive without any formatting. So I realize that having the "empty areas" of my original post is not that bad. However, I feel like the Read More button is essential to encourage further reading.

Is there a way to "Display post excerpts" and include the Read More button?

Or is there a way to "Display post content" but preset the cutoff point (so the quick tag automatically goes there after a set number of characters)?

Adding the Read More button is the most important functionally. Now, I'm just thinking cosmetics and practicality, as I do want to reduce the amount of text per post without having to add the quicktag to all the posts.

Thank you again, Erik! I really appreciate your wisdom here.

Best,
Gabriel

[Erik D. Slater]

the text loses all its formatting

That should not be happening when you use the quicktag. I suspect you are limiting the content to a certain number of characters ... which causes this issue to occur.

Is there a way to “Display post excerpts” and include the Read More button?

Yes ... but it doesn't always work ... since WordPress may decide not to display the "read more" link if certain conditions apply.

is there a way to “Display post content” but preset the cutoff point (so the quick tag automatically goes there after a set number of characters)?

If you use “Display post content” and limit the number of characters, you will lose your formatting. The quicktag is not added automatically.

I fear I will often forget to add it to posts

If you set the content limit to zero - and you haven't included the quicktag - then trust me ... there will be a humungous clue - right before your very eyes - that won't allow you to forget 🙂

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Erik D. Slater: Digital Platform Consultant • LinkedIn

[gabrielgmoura]

Thank you, Erik. You have been most helpful!

[KaterinaRoy]

Hello, Erik

I generally advise people to use “Display post content” over “Display post excerpts”

Where can we find this setting in wordpress?

Thanks,
Katerina

[Erik D. Slater]

Genesis -> Theme Settings ... you should then see a section called Content Archives. If you don't see it, you may need to select Screen Options in the top right-hand corner of the page, then check the "Content Archives" box.

Alternatively, you should be able to find it under Appearance -> Customize ... where you can find it under the "Content Archives" tab.

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Erik D. Slater: Digital Platform Consultant • LinkedIn

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