OOW Custom Menu Shortcode
Effortlessly display and customize WordPress menus with a flexible shortcode, allowing custom CSS styling, 10 predefined themes, real-time preview.
Consider an alternative
OOW Custom Menu Shortcode shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 70+ sites and was last updated 1 year ago, and scores 34/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (70+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where OOW Custom Menu Shortcode stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| custom menu shortcode | >100 |
| menu customization | >100 |
| menu themes | >100 |
| Navigation Menu | >100 |
| page builder integration | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About OOW Custom Menu Shortcode
From the official readme · v1.7Description
OOW Custom Menu Shortcode is a lightweight, versatile plugin that lets you display WordPress menus anywhere on your site using a simple shortcode. Whether you need a horizontal navigation bar, a vertical menu, or a styled submenu, this plugin gives you full control without theme modifications. Create your own unique menu styles with custom CSS classes or choose from 10 predefined themes for instant styling. With real-time preview in the Shortcode Assistant and seamless integrations with Gutenberg, Elementor, Divi, and WPBakery, it’s perfect for beginners and developers alike.
Why Choose OOW Custom Menu Shortcode?
- Flexible Shortcode: Use
[oow_custom_menu]or[oowcode_custom_menu]in posts, pages, or widgets. - Custom Styling: Apply custom CSS classes to create unique menu designs tailored to your theme.
- 10 Predefined Themes: Choose from Modern Horizontal, Dark Mode, Minimalist, Retro, and more for quick styling.
- Real-Time Preview: Generate and preview menus with themes in the Shortcode Assistant.
- Nested Menus: Display submenus with the
depthattribute. - Multilingual Support: Works with WPML and Polylang via the
langattribute. - Accessibility: Add ARIA labels for screen reader support.
- Page Builder Integration: Includes Gutenberg block, Elementor widget, Divi module, and WPBakery component.
- Customizable Layouts: Supports inline or list layouts with custom separators.
- Performance Optimized: Loads CSS only when needed and uses API caching.
- Modern Admin Interface: Clean dashboard with light/dark theme toggle.
Example Shortcodes
- Basic menu:
[oow_custom_menu name="main-menu"] - Custom styled menu:
[oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" class="my-custom-menu"] - Themed menu:
[oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" theme="dark-mode"] - Inline menu:
[oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" style="inline" separator=" > "] - Nested menu:
[oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" depth="2" theme="modern-horizontal"] - Multilingual menu:
[oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" lang="fr"] - Accessible menu:
[oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" aria_label="Main Navigation"] - Fallback menu:
[oow_custom_menu name="missing-menu" fallback="No menu available"]
Available Shortcode Attributes
- name (required): Menu slug (e.g., “main-menu”).
- class (optional): Custom CSS class for styling (e.g., “my-custom-menu”).
- theme (optional): Predefined theme (e.g., “dark-mode”, “retro”).
- style (optional): Layout—
list(default, vertical) orinline(horizontal). - separator (optional): Separator for inline menus (default:
|). - depth (optional): Maximum submenu depth (default: 1, use 0 for unlimited).
- aria_label (optional): Accessibility label (e.g., “Main Navigation”).
- lang (optional): Language code (e.g., “es”).
- fallback (optional): Content if menu doesn’t exist (e.g., “No menu found”).
Explore more at OOWCODE or contact support@oowcode.com.
License
This plugin is licensed under the GPLv2 or later. See License URI for details.
Credits
Developed by OOWPRESS, powered by OOWCODE. Thanks to our community for feedback!
Installation
-
Install the Plugin:
- Search for “OOW Custom Menu Shortcode” in Plugins > Add New.
- Or upload the plugin ZIP via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
- Click “Install Now” and “Activate”.
-
Add the Shortcode:
- Use
[oow_custom_menu name="your-menu-slug"]in posts, pages, or widgets. - Find your menu slug in Appearance > Menus.
- Use
-
Customize:
- Use attributes like
class,theme,style, ordepthto match your design. - Visit OOWCODE > OOW Menu Shortcode for the Shortcode Assistant and instructions.
- Use attributes like
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my menu’s slug?
Go to Appearance > Menus. The slug is a lowercase, hyphenated version of the menu name (e.g., “Main Menu” becomes “main-menu”).
How do I create a custom menu style?
Add a class attribute: [oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" class="my-custom-menu"], then style .my-custom-menu in your theme’s CSS.
What’s the difference between [oow_custom_menu] and [oowcode_custom_menu]?
Both shortcodes are identical and provided for branding flexibility.
How do I apply a theme?
Use the theme attribute: [oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" theme="minimalist"]. Select themes in the Shortcode Assistant.
Can I display submenus?
Yes, use depth: [oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" depth="2"].
How do I preview my menu?
Use the Shortcode Assistant under OOWCODE > OOW Menu Shortcode to generate and preview menus in real-time.
Does it work with page builders?
Yes, includes a Gutenberg block, Elementor widget, Divi module, and WPBakery component (requires respective plugins).
How do I make the menu accessible?
Add aria_label: [oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" aria_label="Main Navigation"].
Does it support multilingual menus?
Yes, use lang with WPML or Polylang: [oow_custom_menu name="main-menu" lang="fr"].
Why do I see notifications about Elementor, Divi, or WPBakery?
These appear in the respective editors if the plugins are inactive. Dismiss them permanently by clicking the “Dismiss” button.
Where can I get support?
Contact support@oowcode.com or visit OOWCODE.
Changelog
Upgrade to create custom menu styles with CSS classes, access 10 predefined themes, use real-time preview in the Shortcode Assistant, add nested menus, and enjoy page builder integrations with improved notifications.
1.7
- Added 10 predefined themes (e.g., Modern Horizontal, Dark Mode, Minimalist) with
themeattribute. - Introduced Shortcode Assistant with real-time preview and theme selection.
- Added Gutenberg block, Elementor widget, Divi module, and WPBakery component.
- Implemented contextual, permanently dismissible admin notices for Elementor, Divi, and WPBakery.
- Enhanced theme styles to prevent interference from theme CSS (e.g., removed list bullets).
- Added support for nested menus with
depthattribute. - Improved accessibility with
aria_labelandaria-current. - Optimized CSS loading for performance.
- Updated documentation to reflect new features.
1.6
- Fixed minor compatibility issues.
- Updated documentation.
1.5
- Added support for both
[oow_custom_menu]and[oowcode_custom_menu]shortcodes. - Updated documentation for dual shortcode compatibility.
1.4
- Added
langattribute for multilingual support (WPML, Polylang). - Introduced
fallbackattribute for missing menus. - Optimized attributes for consistency (
stylefor layout). - Implemented caching for Plugins API.
- Enhanced plugin installation with auto-activation.
- Improved accessibility with ARIA attributes.
- Added light/dark theme toggle in admin.
1.3
- Improved shortcode performance and code organization.
- Enhanced customization for separators and styles.
1.2
- Added support for Arabic, German, English, Spanish, and French.
- Updated translation
.potfile.
For developers
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FAQ
OOW Custom Menu Shortcode: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 30, 2026
Is OOW Custom Menu Shortcode free?
Yes. OOW Custom Menu Shortcode is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is OOW Custom Menu Shortcode safe to use in 2026?
OOW Custom Menu Shortcode shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 70+ sites and was last updated 1 year ago, and scores 34/100 on our health check.
How many websites use OOW Custom Menu Shortcode?
OOW Custom Menu Shortcode is active on 70+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 2,168 times since it launched in October 2024. It was downloaded 70 times in the last 30 days.
Does OOW Custom Menu Shortcode work with WordPress 7.1?
OOW Custom Menu Shortcode is officially tested up to WordPress 6.8.10, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does OOW Custom Menu Shortcode need?
OOW Custom Menu Shortcode requires PHP 7.0 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was OOW Custom Menu Shortcode last updated?
The latest version, 1.7, was released on April 22, 2025 (1 year ago).
Who makes OOW Custom Menu Shortcode?
OOW Custom Menu Shortcode is developed and maintained by David OOWPRESS.
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