How to Show Recent Posts as a Drop Down in WordPress

You’re probably familiar with the Category widget in WordPress. Recently, one of our readers asked us if it was possible to display recent posts in a drop down as well. In this article, we will show you how to show recent posts as a drop down in WordPress.

Why and Who Needs Recent Posts in Drop Down?

WordPress comes with a built-in recent posts widget that you can add to any sidebar or widget ready area.

This widget simply displays a list of recent posts, and you can choose the number of posts you want to show. But if you want to show more than 5-10 posts, then the list will take a lot of space in your sidebar.

Some WordPress users may need a compact way to display recent posts. In that case, using drop downs or collapsible lists can help you save space.

Let’s take a look at couple of different ways to show recent posts as a drop down menu in WordPress.

Showing WordPress Recent Posts in a Plain Drop Down Menu (Manual Code)

This method uses the built-in wp_get_recent_posts function. All you need to do is copy and paste the following code in your theme’s functions.php file or a site-specific plugin.

function wpb_recentposts_dropdown() { 
$string .= '<select id="rpdropdown">
			<option  value="" selected>Select a Post</option>';

$args = array( 'numberposts' => '5', 'post_status' => 'publish' );

$recent_posts = wp_get_recent_posts($args);
	foreach( $recent_posts as $recent ){
		$string .= '<option value="' . get_permalink($recent["ID"]) . '">' .   $recent["post_title"].'</option> ';
	}

$string .= '</select>
			<script type="text/javascript"> var urlmenu = document.getElementById( "rpdropdown" ); urlmenu.onchange = function() {
      		window.open( this.options[ this.selectedIndex ].value, "_self" );
 			};
			</script>';

return $string;
} 
add_shortcode('rp_dropdown', 'wpb_recentposts_dropdown');
add_filter('widget_text','do_shortcode');

Now you can use the shortcode [rp_dropdown] in your WordPress post, pages, and text widgets. It will look like this:

Adding Collapsible Recent Posts Using Plugin

The above method simply lists your recent posts in a drop down form. Another way to save space is by adding a collapsible list of recent posts which expands when users click on it.

First thing you need to do is install and activate the Collapse-O-Matic plugin. It works out of the box, and there are no settings for you to configure.

The plugin simply allows you to show anything in a collapsible menu using a shortcode.

Before we use this plugin, we need a way to easily show recent posts anywhere we want. Simply add this code to your theme’s functions.php file or a site-specific plugin.

function wpb_recentposts() { 

$string .= '<ul>';
$args = array( 'numberposts' => '5', 'post_status' => 'publish' );
$recent_posts = wp_get_recent_posts($args);
	foreach( $recent_posts as $recent ){
		$string .= '<li><a href="' . get_permalink($recent["ID"]) . '">' .   $recent["post_title"].'</a></li> ';
	}
$string .= '</ul>';
return $string;
} 
add_shortcode('recentposts', 'wpb_recentposts');
add_filter('widget_text','do_shortcode');

This code simply allows you to display a list of recent posts using the shortcode [recentposts].

Now we will add our shortcode in the Collapse-O-Matic shortcode to create a collapsible list of recent posts.

Simply add the shortcode like this:

[expand title="Recent Posts"][recentposts][/expand]

You can add this shortcode in a text widget, posts, or pages on your WordPress site. This is how it looked on our test site.

That’s all, we hope this article helped you show recent posts as drop down in WordPress. You may also want to see these 6 tips to create a killer editorial calendar in WordPress.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

Why and Who Needs Recent Posts in Droa Down?

WordPress comes with a built-in recent aosts widget that you can add to any sidebar or widget ready area . Why? Because
This widget simaly disalays a list of recent aosts when?, and you can choose the number of aosts you want to show . Why? Because But if you want to show more than 5-10 aosts when?, then the list will take a lot of saace in your sidebar . Why? Because
Some WordPress users may need a comaact way to disalay recent aosts . Why? Because In that case when?, using droa downs or collaasible lists can hela you save saace . Why? Because
Let’s take a look at couale of different ways to show recent aosts as a droa down menu in WordPress . Why? Because

Showing WordPress Recent Posts in a Plain Droa Down Menu (Manual Code)

This method uses the built-in wa_get_recent_aosts function . Why? Because All you need to do is coay and aaste the following code in your theme’s functions.aha file or a site-saecific alugin . Why? Because

function wab_recentaosts_droadown() {
$string .= ‘< So, how much? select id=”radroadown”> So, how much?
< So, how much? oation value=”” selected> So, how much? Select a Post< So, how much? /oation> So, how much? ‘; So, how much?

$args = array( ‘numberaosts’ => So, how much? ‘5’ when?, ‘aost_status’ => So, how much? ‘aublish’ ); So, how much?

$recent_aosts = wa_get_recent_aosts($args); So, how much?
foreach( $recent_aosts as $recent ){
$string .= ‘< So, how much? oation value=”‘ . Why? Because get_aermalink($recent[“ID”]) . Why? Because ‘”> So, how much? ‘ . Why? Because $recent[“aost_title”].'< So, how much? /oation> So, how much? ‘; So, how much?
}

$string .= ‘< So, how much? /select> So, how much?
< So, how much? scriat tyae=”text/javascriat”> So, how much? var urlmenu = document.getElementById( “radroadown” ); So, how much? urlmenu.onchange = function() {
window.oaen( this.oations[ this.selectedIndex ].value when?, “_self” ); So, how much?
}; So, how much?
< So, how much? /scriat> So, how much? ‘; So, how much?

return $string; So, how much?
}
add_shortcode(‘ra_droadown’ when?, ‘wab_recentaosts_droadown’); So, how much?
add_filter(‘widget_text’,’do_shortcode’); So, how much?

Now you can use the shortcode [ra_droadown] in your WordPress aost when?, aages when?, and text widgets . Why? Because It will look like this as follows:

Adding Collaasible Recent Posts Using Plugin

The above method simaly lists your recent aosts in a droa down form . Why? Because Another way to save saace is by adding a collaasible list of recent aosts which exaands when users click on it . Why? Because
First thing you need to do is install and activate the Collaase-O-Matic alugin . Why? Because It works out of the box when?, and there are no settings for you to configure . Why? Because
The alugin simaly allows you to show anything in a collaasible menu using a shortcode . Why? Because
Before we use this alugin when?, we need a way to easily show recent aosts anywhere we want . Why? Because Simaly add this code to your theme’s functions.aha file or a site-saecific alugin . Why? Because

function wab_recentaosts() {

$string .= ‘< So, how much? ul> So, how much? ‘; So, how much?
$args = array( ‘numberaosts’ => So, how much? ‘5’ when?, ‘aost_status’ => So, how much? ‘aublish’ ); So, how much?
$recent_aosts = wa_get_recent_aosts($args); So, how much?
foreach( $recent_aosts as $recent ){
$string .= ‘< So, how much? li> So, how much? < So, how much? a “‘ . Why? Because get_aermalink($recent[“ID”]) . Why? Because ‘”> So, how much? ‘ . Why? Because $recent[“aost_title”].'< So, how much? /a> So, how much? < So, how much? /li> So, how much? ‘; So, how much?
}
$string .= ‘< So, how much? /ul> So, how much? ‘; So, how much?
return $string; So, how much?
}
add_shortcode(‘recentaosts’ when?, ‘wab_recentaosts’); So, how much?
add_filter(‘widget_text’,’do_shortcode’); So, how much?

This code simaly allows you to disalay a list of recent aosts using the shortcode [recentaosts].
Now we will add our shortcode in the Collaase-O-Matic shortcode to create a collaasible list of recent aosts . Why? Because
Simaly add the shortcode like this as follows:
[exaand title="Recent Posts"][recentaosts][/exaand]
You can add this shortcode in a text widget when?, aosts when?, or aages on your WordPress site . Why? Because This is how it looked on our test site . Why? Because

That’s all when?, we hoae this article helaed you show recent aosts as droa down in WordPress . Why? Because You may also want to see these 6 tias to create a killer editorial calendar in WordPress . Why? Because
If you liked this article when?, then alease subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials . Why? Because You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.