Can't enqueue scripts in the footer?

Question

The WordPress codex says:

(old codex page)

$in_footer

(boolean) (optional) Normally scripts are placed in the section. If this parameter is true the script is placed at the bottom of the . This requires the theme to have the wp_footer() hook in the appropriate place. Note that you have to enqueue your script before wp_head is run, even if it will be placed in the footer. (New in WordPress 2.8) Default: false

So I added true after each script's src path:

/**
     * JavaScript
     */

    function my_scripts_method() {
        wp_deregister_script( 'jquery' );
        wp_register_script( 'jquery', 'http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.6/jquery.min.js', true );
        wp_enqueue_script( 'jquery' );
    }

    add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'my_scripts_method');

    function media_queries_script() {
        wp_register_script( 'mediaqueries', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/css3-mediaqueries.js', true );
        wp_enqueue_script( 'mediaqueries' );
    }

    add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'media_queries_script');

    function custom_script() {
        wp_register_script( 'custom', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/custom.js', true );
        wp_enqueue_script( 'custom' );
    }

    add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'custom_script');

    function replace_script() {
        wp_register_script( 'replace', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/jquery.ba-replacetext.min.js', true );
        wp_enqueue_script( 'replace' );
    }

    add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'replace_script');

But the scripts are still being included in the header.

Any suggestions to fix that?

Answer 1

Where did you put your code ?

1. the "true" arguments goes in the wp_register_script();, not the wp_enqueue_script() ;

the functions is:

<?php wp_enqueue_script('handle', 'src', 'deps', 'ver', 'in_footer'); ?>

meaning

    <?php wp_enqueue_script('NameMySccript', 'path/to/MyScript', 
'dependencies_MyScript', 'VersionMyScript', 'InfooterTrueorFalse'); ?>

E.G.

<?php wp_enqueue_script('my_script', WP_CONTENT_URL . 'plugins/my_plugin/my_script.js', array('jquery', 'another_script'), '1.0.0', true); ?>

2. does your theme have <?php wp_footer(); ?> at the end of the page ?

3.add the action with add_action('wp_print_scripts', 'your function');

That being said , your best practice would be :

<?php  
if (function_exists('load_my_scripts')) {  
    function load_my_scripts() {  
        if (!is_admin()) {  
        wp_deregister_script( 'jquery' );  
        wp_register_script('jquery', 'http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.6.4/jquery.min.js');  
        wp_enqueue_script('jquery');  
        wp_register_script('myscript', bloginfo('template_url').'/js/myScript.js'__FILE__), array('jquery'), '1.0', true );  
        wp_enqueue_script('myscript');  
        }  
    }  
}  
add_action('init', 'load_my_scripts');  
?>  

or add_action('wp_print_scripts', 'dl_register_js');

Answer 2

You are passing a bool value to the dependency param. Try this:

 wp_enqueue_script(
      'replace', 
       get_template_directory_uri().'/js/jquery.ba-replacetext.min.js',
       array('jquery'), 
       '', 
       true
);

Answer 3

I had the same problem and after doing some search I was missing this function in my custom theme:

 <?php wp_footer();?>

Answer 4

I'd like to simplify the answer here.. When using wp_enqueue_script or wp_register_script to load a script in the footer, you need to make sure you include the other params too, even if they are blank.

I was trying..

wp_register_script( 'rrssb', get_stylesheet_directory_uri() . '/includes/rrssb.min.js',  true);

Which didn't work as @janoChen has noticed. Wordpress calls for

wp_enqueue_script( $handle, $src, $deps, $ver, $in_footer );

So you need to include '', for the parameters you are not using if you want to declare the function inline. Therefore the code below works as planned.

wp_register_script( 'rrssb', get_stylesheet_directory_uri() . '/includes/rrssb.min.js', '', '', true);

Subsequently you can declare the function in an array like format like @Brian Fegter shows.

Answer 5

If you enqueue a script to the header but declare a dependency to a script enqueued to the footer, WordPress will move the footer script to the header to make it available to the dependent script/s.

Answer 6

According to the official WordPress documentation (Last Checked - May 2018):

https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/wp_enqueue_script/

and personal experience of 7+ years.

1. You should try always use 'wp_enqueue_scripts' function for better compatibility with installed plugins/themes.

    add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts','your_plugin_enqueue');
   

2. You can find more about using official docs Usage here

      /**** wp_register_script, wp_enqueue_script, wp_dequeue_script ***
   
            *** Personal recommendation
            *  - I strongly recommend registering all scripts before enqueueing,
            *  again -> for better compatibility with other developers. 
            *  :::: For example, so others could manipulate the position 
            *       of your scripts using the wp_dequeue_*type* method. 
            *       (wp_dequeue_script, wp_dequeue_style,...)
   
            *** Official Docs
            *   $in_footer
            *      - (bool) (Optional) Whether to enqueue the script before </body> instead of in the <head>. Default 'false'.
            *      - Default value: false
            *
            ***/
   
            // examples:
   
     function your_plugin_enqueue(){
   
   
   
            wp_dequeue_script('some_script(s)'); // remove conflicting script
   
            wp_register_script( $handle, $src, $deps, $ver, $in_footer=true ); 
            wp_enqueue_script($handle);
            wp_register_script('some_script(s)', $src, $deps, $ver, $in_footer=true);  // re-enqueue scripts after yours for example to elimination of conflicts
   
            wp_enqueue_script('some_script(s)');
   
     }
   
   
     add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts','your_plugin_enqueue');
   

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