Title: Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '
Last modified: August 20, 2016

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# Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '

 *  [Joaquin Mariel](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joaquin-mariel/)
 * (@joaquin-mariel)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/)
 * So I was trying to add some custom sidebars to some pages on my site, following
   one of the WP tutorials and I entered the following on the functions.php page
 * <?php if ( function_exists (‘register_sidebar’)) {
    register_sidebar (‘custom’);}?
   >
 * and I got this error
 * Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ‘<‘ in /home/cityfuts/public_html/wp-content/
   themes/bueno/functions.php on line 26
 * the whole page looks like this
 * _[Code moderated as per the [Forum Rules](http://codex.wordpress.org/Forum_Welcome#Posting_Code).
   Please use the [pastebin](http://wordpress.pastebin.com/)]_
 * What do I do, I am freaking out!

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

 *  [merajneesh](https://wordpress.org/support/users/merajneesh/)
 * (@merajneesh)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/#post-2437032)
 * hi ,
 * you are using <?php tagn inside <?php .
 * Instead of using :
 * <?php if ( function_exists (‘register_sidebar’)) {
    register_sidebar (‘custom’);}?
   >
 * Use
 * if ( function_exists (‘register_sidebar’)) {
    register_sidebar (‘custom’); }
 * thanks
 *  Thread Starter [Joaquin Mariel](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joaquin-mariel/)
 * (@joaquin-mariel)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/#post-2437041)
 * Can you clarify. I made the change you suggested and it did not work.
 * Thanks for the quick response
 *  [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/)
 * (@esmi)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/#post-2437044)
 * Try asking on [http://www.woothemes.com/support/](http://www.woothemes.com/support/)
 *  Thread Starter [Joaquin Mariel](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joaquin-mariel/)
 * (@joaquin-mariel)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/#post-2437058)
 * I am sorry, I did not know about having to use the pastebin. I am a newbie. I
   can not access woothemes either because the original designer purchased the theme
   and has the login. Is there anyone that can help me her?
 *  [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/)
 * (@esmi)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/#post-2437062)
 * Have you asked the original designer for the login details? It’s your theme on
   your site, after all.
 *  Thread Starter [Joaquin Mariel](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joaquin-mariel/)
 * (@joaquin-mariel)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/#post-2437067)
 * Yes, that relationship did not end well so getting it from him will not work.
   Is there anything I can do without accessing the woothemes forum? Is there a 
   different way I can post this question that would get a better response?
 *  [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/)
 * (@esmi)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/#post-2437069)
 * Not really. Bottom line, this is a commercial theme and its template files are
   not publically accessible, so you need to seek support from the theme vendors.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

The topic ‘Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 7 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/)
 * Last activity: [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-41/#post-2437069)
 * Status: not resolved

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