Random Post Order

  • hi,

    Before I start I haven’t used this forum before and when i asked this question someone closed the thread? i’m assuming it was accidental so i’ve posted it again… If I am indeed doing something wrong could you let me know as it is very important that I can use this resource as there are deadlines involved etc…

    I’m trying to get posts to list randomly on only one top level category page…

    I have a category called portfolio, and this has plenty of sub categories which all use the same category-4.php template file (by using the Elevate Parent Category plugin (https://pluginscatalog.com/plugins/elevate-parent-category-template.html)

    now, when viewing the main portfolio page (NOT burrowing down any deeper in the hierarchy) i want the posts displayed in a random order…

    i can’t use code such as:

    <?php $news = new WP_Query(“cat=4&orderby=rand”); ?>

    as this will just display a random load of portfolio posts from all sub sections even when i am IN a sub section (it does however give me the correct effect when i’m on the top level portfolio page)

    so basically i need code that will: (in english)

    if the category is 4, display the posts from all portfolio subsections in a random order, if not (i.e. you’re in a subsection) display as normal using a standard loop.

    I hope this makes sense? help would be much appreciated…

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

  • Instead of creating a new query, why not just do this before your loop in your category archive:

    query_posts($query_string . '&orderby=rand');

    Here’s the category.php I’m using with the WordPress Default Theme:
    https://wordpress.pastebin.ca/1321959

    Note: I do no see a CLOSED topic in your profile:
    https://www.ads-software.com/support/profile/1223254

    Thread Starter sootylad

    (@sootylad)

    oh… when i tried to reply to the last one is said sorry this thread is closed? is was an error message on a dark page with “bb” at the top…

    i’ll have a go at what you just recommended… – many thanks ??

    Thread Starter sootylad

    (@sootylad)

    that is great thanks ?? didn’t know you could do that! (well… obviously thats why i asked :))

    is there some code i could surround the query_posts bit with to make it check if its only on the top level (i.e. category 4) and not one of the sub-categories of category 4?

    the results of the sub sections i don’t want randomised you see ??

    Thread Starter sootylad

    (@sootylad)

    right, MichaelH helped me in another thread about the category identification ?? – but i’m running into problems i think because of the Elevate Parent Category…

    what i am using is this:

    if (is_category()) {
$cat = get_query_var('cat');
if ($cat == 4) {
echo $cat;
query_posts($query_string . '&orderby=rand');
}
}

    it it does indeed randomise the posts, but it is still also randomising the posts in the sub sections (non category 4) – i added in echo $cat to confirm what i thought and even when im in a subsection, and the posts displayed are indeed the correct posts (albeit in a random order) the cat is still showing as “4”

    as far as i know the plugin i’m using is simply alowing sub categories of 4 to use the same skin (category-4.php) so it shouldn’t be affecting which category it thinks it is… should it?

    (could I just say MichaelH, you are being very helpful thanks very much :))

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • The topic ‘Random Post Order’ is closed to new replies.