Title: Posts Shortcode Limit Words Explained ie: decrease the number of words shown..
Last modified: August 22, 2016

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# Posts Shortcode Limit Words Explained ie: decrease the number of words shown..

 *  [Robswaimea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/robswaimea/)
 * (@robswaimea)
 * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/posts-shortcode-limit-words-explained-ie-decrease-the-number-of-words-shown/)
 * Problem: To many words in the list of posts using the shortcode “Posts”
    As always..
   backup your database before making any changes.
 * In your functions.php file (best to put in you child themes etc etc).
 * Add the following code.
 *     ```
       /*  ----This makes the Excerpts (words) in Post Listings default from 55 to 20------ */
       function custom_excerpt_length( $length ) {
       	return 20;
       }
       add_filter( 'excerpt_length', 'custom_excerpt_length', 999 );
       /*  --------------------------------------------------------- */
       ```
   
 * This is explained here:
    [http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/the_excerpt](http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/the_excerpt)
 * I am no expert folks… but had been searching for the resolve of too many words
   in the Posts list on my pages.
 * If anybody has a better way please let me know.
    Cheers. Hope this helps people.
 * [https://wordpress.org/plugins/shortcodes-ultimate/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/shortcodes-ultimate/)

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 * 0 replies
 * 1 participant
 * Last reply from: [Robswaimea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/robswaimea/)
 * Last activity: [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/posts-shortcode-limit-words-explained-ie-decrease-the-number-of-words-shown/)
 * Status: not resolved