Title: syntax parse error when editing functions.php for new widget areas Last modified: August 21, 2016 --- # syntax parse error when editing functions.php for new widget areas * Resolved [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * (@vanessajw) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/) * Hi, the manuals all say to add certain code to the functions file when registering a new widget area, as this theme lacks widget areas beyond the basic sidebar. But I get a parse syntax error whenever I try to edit and save the file, locks me out of the dashboard and I have to then use the backup files on my server control panel. Scary……so what is wrong and why is this happening? This is when editing the parent theme file, and it’s only this file that makes this happen. Child theme css adds are fine, but don’t always override the parent. Can Konstatin correct this, is it a theme error, or can he quickly create widget areas for footer and more sidebar widgets for us? Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 17 total) 1 [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/page/2/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/page/2/?output_format=md) * [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/) * (@esmi) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354300) * Do not edit the theme itself. First [create a child theme for your changes](http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes). * Thread Starter [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * (@vanessajw) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354336) * yes I’ve done that, I work most of my css edits in the child theme, but I don’t have any parent template files duplicated in the child theme to edit, they apparently come from the parent. and the style sheet edits come under the child theme. So I can only edit the parent functions file. * Thread Starter [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * (@vanessajw) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354337) * do I tell the host to add a blank functions php file to the child theme? * [WPyogi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpyogi/) * (@wpyogi) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354348) * See: * [http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes#Using_functions.php](http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes#Using_functions.php) * Why are you telling the host? Aren’t you managing these files yourself? * Thread Starter [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * (@vanessajw) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354367) * No I don’t manage them the host said they kept them on their control panel which I can access and have done so. But I don’t have any files duplicated to sync on my computer. So do I ask them to create a blank php file for the child theme? Why does this have to be so complicated! * [WPyogi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpyogi/) * (@wpyogi) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354412) * > But I don’t have any files duplicated to sync on my computer. * You don’t need to sync anything to your computer. You need to create a functions. php file in the child theme on the server. * [vinn95](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vinn95/) * (@vinn95) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354449) * Hi Once you get to know the concept of child theme, then customizing the theme wouldn’t be a great deal. Get into the link below, it explains about creating a child theme for Expound. * [http://wordpress.org/support/topic/expound-a-few-problems-please-help?replies=45](http://wordpress.org/support/topic/expound-a-few-problems-please-help?replies=45) * I hope you’ll move on without any hassles.. * Thread Starter [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * (@vanessajw) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354458) * I’ve already got the child theme, but until I sync or upload via FTP the files I can’t out them on the server set can I? At the mo I don’t have set of files on my laptop it’s only on the host control panel and they don’t respond to my mouse accept to copy or open. You’re driving me crazy on this…..I cannot add new files to my child theme yet….until I somehow set up the FTP transfer mechanism which I haven’t done yet then I might be able to add the new functions file to the child theme. * [WPyogi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpyogi/) * (@wpyogi) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354459) * > until I somehow set up the FTP transfer mechanism which I haven’t done yet > then I might be able to add the new functions file to the child theme. * Are you not able to use FTP with your hosting? * [WPyogi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpyogi/) * (@wpyogi) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354460) * Have you seen this? * [http://forums.tsohost.co.uk/threads/getting-started-guide-to-ftp.736/](http://forums.tsohost.co.uk/threads/getting-started-guide-to-ftp.736/) * Thread Starter [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * (@vanessajw) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354461) * “You don’t need to sync anything to your computer. You need to create a functions. php file in the child theme on the server.” * Yes you CANNOT do that if your files are not uploaded via FTP from your laptop right??!!! And I don’t have that yet my files are ONLY on the host control panel and there is no way I can see of adding new files to the child theme. * [WPyogi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpyogi/) * (@wpyogi) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354462) * So is there a reason you have not set up FTP? * Thread Starter [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * (@vanessajw) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354463) * A do have now the settings for setting up the FTP so if that’s the way to go I will do it. * Thread Starter [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * (@vanessajw) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354464) * No no reason, the hosts who advertise as experts said I didn’t need it, but they don’t seem to realise that to use .org more fully like this it’s better, and it was very confusing being told different things….that’s a why I’m so cross and confused….it’s hard enough without having different books and different people giving different advise. * [WPyogi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpyogi/) * (@wpyogi) * [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/#post-4354465) * Yes, that’s understandably confusing/frustrating. But frankly, some hosting company support people really don’t know much about WP, and books get outdated quite fast. Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 17 total) 1 [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/page/2/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/page/2/?output_format=md) The topic ‘syntax parse error when editing functions.php for new widget areas’ is closed to new replies. * ![](https://i0.wp.com/themes.svn.wordpress.org/expound/2.0.1/screenshot.png) * Expound * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/theme/expound/) * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/theme/expound/active/) * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/theme/expound/unresolved/) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/theme/expound/reviews/) ## Tags * [functions](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/functions/) * 17 replies * 4 participants * Last reply from: [vanessajw](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vanessajw/) * Last activity: [12 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-parse-error-when-editing-functionsphp-for-new-widget-areas/page/2/#post-4354467) * Status: resolved