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I have made a shortcode [get_clients] which is supposed to return an array of all the clients when called via do_shortcode('[get_clients]'). But all it returns is a string 'Array' only. Why?

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  • because the shortcode returns array you can't echo it, foreach() loop can help ^^
    – JMau
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 10:49
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    do_shortcode() returns only string by the way look
    – JMau
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 11:00
  • do_shortcode() returns only string values.
    – Abhik
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 11:19
  • Shortcodes are intended to be used to print something on the screen. This is the reason why they return always a string: only a string can be printed. If you trying to use a shortcode to return an array, you are _doing_it_wrong. Add in question the relevant code you are using, and probably someone can suggest you a different solution.
    – gmazzap
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 11:20

1 Answer 1

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This function returns a string. So you should join the elements of the array to make a string.

From the Codex:

Function Reference/do shortcode

Return Values

(string)

Content with shortcodes replaced by the output from the shortcode's handler(s).

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    I can serialize an array before returning and then unserialize it.
    – arxoft
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 11:44
  • Please read @G. M.'s comment as well: "Shortcodes are intended to be used to print something on the screen."
    – rocknrollcanneverdie
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 11:54

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