WP Bakery Page Builder - Add URL option to make entire column clickable - Updated 22 June 2023

functions.php

<?php

/* add this to your theme's functions.php file */

/* Add option for URL to column settings */

vc_add_param("vc_column", array(
    "type" => "vc_link",
	"class" => "",
	"heading" => "Column Link",
	"param_name" => "column_link"
));

/* Add option for URL to column_inner settings */

vc_add_param("vc_column_inner", array(
    "type" => "vc_link",
	"class" => "",
	"heading" => "Column Link",
	"param_name" => "column_link"
));

?>

vc_column.php

<?php

/* place this file in [your-theme]/vc_templates/ */

if ( ! defined( 'ABSPATH' ) ) {
	die( '-1' );
}

/* This file modifies the vc_column output to accomodate the otional URL parameter */

/**
 * Shortcode attributes
 * @var $atts
 * @var $el_id
 * @var $el_class
 * @var $width
 * @var $css
 * @var $offset
 * @var $content - shortcode content
 * @var $css_animation
 * Shortcode class
 * @var WPBakeryShortCode_Vc_Column $this
 */
$el_class = $el_id = $width = $parallax_speed_bg = $parallax_speed_video = $parallax = $parallax_image = $video_bg = $video_bg_url = $video_bg_parallax = $css = $offset = $css_animation = '';
$output = '';
$atts = vc_map_get_attributes( $this->getShortcode(), $atts );
extract( $atts );

wp_enqueue_script( 'wpb_composer_front_js' );

$width = wpb_translateColumnWidthToSpan( $width );
$width = vc_column_offset_class_merge( $offset, $width );

$css_classes = array(
	$this->getExtraClass( $el_class ) . $this->getCSSAnimation( $css_animation ),
	'wpb_column',
	'vc_column_container',
	$width,
);

if ( vc_shortcode_custom_css_has_property( $css, array(
	'border',
	'background',
) ) || $video_bg || $parallax
) {
	$css_classes[] = 'vc_col-has-fill';
}

$wrapper_attributes = array();

$has_video_bg = ( ! empty( $video_bg ) && ! empty( $video_bg_url ) && vc_extract_youtube_id( $video_bg_url ) );

$parallax_speed = $parallax_speed_bg;
if ( $has_video_bg ) {
	$parallax = $video_bg_parallax;
	$parallax_speed = $parallax_speed_video;
	$parallax_image = $video_bg_url;
	$css_classes[] = 'vc_video-bg-container';
	wp_enqueue_script( 'vc_youtube_iframe_api_js' );
}

if ( ! empty( $parallax ) ) {
	wp_enqueue_script( 'vc_jquery_skrollr_js' );
	$wrapper_attributes[] = 'data-vc-parallax="' . esc_attr( $parallax_speed ) . '"'; // parallax speed
	$css_classes[] = 'vc_general vc_parallax vc_parallax-' . $parallax;
	if ( false !== strpos( $parallax, 'fade' ) ) {
		$css_classes[] = 'js-vc_parallax-o-fade';
		$wrapper_attributes[] = 'data-vc-parallax-o-fade="on"';
	} elseif ( false !== strpos( $parallax, 'fixed' ) ) {
		$css_classes[] = 'js-vc_parallax-o-fixed';
	}
}

if ( ! empty( $parallax_image ) ) {
	if ( $has_video_bg ) {
		$parallax_image_src = $parallax_image;
	} else {
		$parallax_image_id = preg_replace( '/[^\d]/', '', $parallax_image );
		$parallax_image_src = wp_get_attachment_image_src( $parallax_image_id, 'full' );
		if ( ! empty( $parallax_image_src[0] ) ) {
			$parallax_image_src = $parallax_image_src[0];
		}
	}
	$wrapper_attributes[] = 'data-vc-parallax-image="' . esc_attr( $parallax_image_src ) . '"';
}
if ( ! $parallax && $has_video_bg ) {
	$wrapper_attributes[] = 'data-vc-video-bg="' . esc_attr( $video_bg_url ) . '"';
}

$css_class = preg_replace( '/\s+/', ' ', apply_filters( VC_SHORTCODE_CUSTOM_CSS_FILTER_TAG, implode( ' ', array_filter( $css_classes ) ), $this->settings['base'], $atts ) );
$wrapper_attributes[] = 'class="' . esc_attr( trim( $css_class ) ) . '"';
if ( ! empty( $el_id ) ) {
	$wrapper_attributes[] = 'id="' . esc_attr( $el_id ) . '"';
}
$output .= '<div ' . implode( ' ', $wrapper_attributes ) . '>';
$innerColumnClass = 'vc_column-inner ' . esc_attr( trim( vc_shortcode_custom_css_class( $css ) ) );
$output .= '<div class="' . trim( $innerColumnClass ) . '">';

/* Inserted to check whether a link is present in the settings */
if( !empty($column_link) ){
    $column_link_array = vc_build_link($column_link);
    $column_link = esc_url($column_link_array['url']);
    $column_target = $column_link_array['target'];
    $column_rel = $column_link_array['rel'];
    $column_title = $column_link_array['title'];
    $output .= "<a href='$column_link' ";
    $output .= ( $column_target == '_blank' ) ? "target='_blank' " : '';
    $output .= ( $column_rel == 'nofollow' ) ? "rel='nofollow' " : '';
    $output .= ( $column_title !== '' ) ? "title='$column_title' " : '';
    $output .= "class='big_link' style='position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;z-index:9999;'aria-hidden='true'></a>";
}
/* End Changes - Resume base code */

$output .= '<div class="wpb_wrapper">';
$output .= wpb_js_remove_wpautop( $content );
$output .= '</div>';
$output .= '</div>';
$output .= '</div>';

echo $output;

vc_column_inner.php

<?php

/* place this file in [your-theme]/vc_templates/ */

if ( ! defined( 'ABSPATH' ) ) {
	die( '-1' );
}

/* This file modifies the vc_column_inner output to accomodate the otional URL parameter */

/**
 * Shortcode attributes
 * @var $atts
 * @var $el_class
 * @var $el_id
 * @var $width
 * @var $css
 * @var $offset
 * @var $content - shortcode content
 * Shortcode class
 * @var WPBakeryShortCode_Vc_Column_Inner $this
 */
$el_class = $width = $el_id = $css = $offset = '';
$output = '';
$atts = vc_map_get_attributes( $this->getShortcode(), $atts );
extract( $atts );

$width = wpb_translateColumnWidthToSpan( $width );
$width = vc_column_offset_class_merge( $offset, $width );

$css_classes = array(
	$this->getExtraClass( $el_class ),
	'wpb_column',
	'vc_column_container',
	$width,
);

if ( vc_shortcode_custom_css_has_property( $css, array(
	'border',
	'background',
) ) ) {
	$css_classes[] = 'vc_col-has-fill';
}

$wrapper_attributes = array();

$css_class = preg_replace( '/\s+/', ' ', apply_filters( VC_SHORTCODE_CUSTOM_CSS_FILTER_TAG, implode( ' ', array_filter( $css_classes ) ), $this->settings['base'], $atts ) );
$wrapper_attributes[] = 'class="' . esc_attr( trim( $css_class ) ) . '"';
if ( ! empty( $el_id ) ) {
	$wrapper_attributes[] = 'id="' . esc_attr( $el_id ) . '"';
}
$output .= '<div ' . implode( ' ', $wrapper_attributes ) . '>';
$innerColumnClass = 'vc_column-inner ' . esc_attr( trim( vc_shortcode_custom_css_class( $css ) ) );
$output .= '<div class="' . trim( $innerColumnClass ) . '">';

/* Inserted to check whether a link is present in the settings */
if( !empty($column_link) ){
    $column_link_array = vc_build_link($column_link);
    $column_link = esc_url($column_link_array['url']);
    $column_target = $column_link_array['target'];
    $column_rel = $column_link_array['rel'];
    $column_title = $column_link_array['title'];
    $output .= "<a href='$column_link' ";
    $output .= ( $column_target == '_blank' ) ? "target='_blank' " : '';
    $output .= ( $column_rel == 'nofollow' ) ? "rel='nofollow' " : '';
    $output .= ( $column_title !== '' ) ? "title='$column_title' " : '';
    $output .= "class='big_link' style='position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;z-index:9999;'aria-hidden='true'></a>";
}
/* End Changes - Resume base code */

$output .= '<div class="wpb_wrapper">';
$output .= wpb_js_remove_wpautop( $content );
$output .= '</div>';
$output .= '</div>';
$output .= '</div>';

echo $output;

Yes. It seems to be a problem with the css in the vc_inner_column file that is hard coded in. Position absolute and 100% width is making the entire row the link.

I was able to fix this by adding a span inside the link and moving your styles there along with assigning the inner column a relative position.

I'm having a problem where WPBakery is encoding my URLs:
Example: [vc_column width="1/4" column_link="url:http%3A%2F%2Ffpassos.com%2F||target:%20_blank|"]
Do you happen to know how to decode this URL?

im having this problem as well - links are getting encoded by bakery ... also if i delete the link it keeps some ||| in there and is still active.

other than that is great! amazing to hve that option. i added another one with the option to open a fancybox ... finally the functionality i wanted! thanks ...!!

@Alextribevienna Your parent theme or another plugin that uses vc_set_shortcodes_templates_dir() is affecting the natural flow of where WPBakery Page Builder looks for templates. It's a bad practice for theme and plugin developers, but I've come across it before. The only workaround is to find out where those other templates are, and copy them into vc_templates in your child theme, along with this, and run vc_set_shortcodes_templates_dir() as you have mentioned above.

Hi, What is the best way to find what else is using vc_set_shortcodes_templates_dir() as i am having the same problem please?

Hi, What is the best way to find what else is using vc_set_shortcodes_templates_dir() as i am having the same problem please?

I'd just download any and all plugins that might interface with WP Bakery Page Builder and search them. I know Brackets on Mac, and Notepad++ on Windows (I'm pretty sure) have a "find in files" function, or something similar.

Hi, I looked through all the plugins and themes and can’t find anything.
If I add the code to the parent theme it works fine, it’s just the child theme.

This is what I’ve added:

`/* this makes the columns clickable */

/* Add option for URL to column settings */

vc_add_param("vc_column", array(
"type" => "vc_link",
"class" => "",
"heading" => "Column Link",
"param_name" => "column_link"
));

/* Add option for URL to column_inner settings */

vc_add_param("vc_column_inner", array(
"type" => "vc_link",
"class" => "",
"heading" => "Column Link",
"param_name" => "column_link"
));

$dir = get_stylesheet_directory() . '/vc_templates';vc_set_shortcodes_templates_dir( $dir );`

I have also tried this on another site of mine, and it works fine so it’s even more of a mystery.

Would I be able to make this into a plugin to add to the site? Perhaps that might work?

Thanks for your help by the way.

I'm having a similar issue as @GamesEngine.

I downloaded the wp-content folder, ran a find and replace for vc_set_shortcodes_templates_dir() and no references to it came back. I can set the column / inner column links via the page builder, however, the links aren't added on the front-end of the website.

I cannot get the code to work in either the parent or child theme.

And you've got the code added to your theme's functions.php file and the other files in a vc_templates directory inside of your theme?

Yeah, that's right. I've done this before on a couple of other WP installs and found it really useful but having some trouble this time round. I'm using the Page Builder Framework theme.

Hi @AaronChaos this is what i added and it works for me.

/* add this to your theme's functions.php file */

/* Add option for URL to column settings */

vc_add_param("vc_column", array(
    "type" => "vc_link",
    "class" => "",
    "heading" => "Column Link",
    "param_name" => "column_link"
));

/* Add option for URL to column_inner settings */

vc_add_param("vc_column_inner", array(
    "type" => "vc_link",
    "class" => "",
    "heading" => "Column Link",
    "param_name" => "column_link"
));

add_filter('vc_shortcode_set_template_vc_column', function($template){
return get_stylesheet_directory() . '/vc_templates/vc_column.php';
});

I hope this helps

Fantastic solution to apply on WPBakery
Currently running on WPBakery Page Builder v6.5.0
Added the Snippet to the function.php + added both *.php files into the Child Theme directory.

Didn't need to add anything else to the function.php file for this to work.

I have been using this without issue for quite some time and I have just noticed in the latest Wordpress update its just stopped working. The option within the inner row still exists so I can add the URL. When I try and test and hover over the inner row I get nothing.

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll look into it.

On Sun, Mar 28, 2021 at 4:55 PM Adam Jones ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.**** commented on this gist. ------------------------------ I have been using this without issue for quite some time and I have just noticed in the latest Wordpress update its just stopped working. The option within the inner row still exists so I can add the URL. When I try and test and hover over the inner row I get nothing. — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <https://gist.github.com/5ed1198ef75ef53fcc820419e57307ee#gistcomment-3684597>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ACIMJHOTX334QADP4OOE4KTTF7FZLANCNFSM4IGOONDQ> .

-- -Richard Nesbitt

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll look into it.
On Sun, Mar 28, 2021 at 4:55 PM Adam Jones @.***> wrote: @LeaderCom commented on this gist. ------------------------------ I have been using this without issue for quite some time and I have just noticed in the latest Wordpress update its just stopped working. The option within the inner row still exists so I can add the URL. When I try and test and hover over the inner row I get nothing. — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://gist.github.com/5ed1198ef75ef53fcc820419e57307ee#gistcomment-3684597, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ACIMJHOTX334QADP4OOE4KTTF7FZLANCNFSM4IGOONDQ .
-- -Richard Nesbitt

Hi Richard,

After sending the message last night I did a bit more testing and narrowed down the issue. I originally had it set up so I had a single row with 2 x 4 column rows inside, which contained the hyperlinks.

If I recreate one of the 4 x column rows outside of the single column then it works. It just doesn't seem to like being embedded inside now.

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll look into it.
On Sun, Mar 28, 2021 at 4:55 PM Adam Jones @.***> wrote: @LeaderCom commented on this gist. ------------------------------ I have been using this without issue for quite some time and I have just noticed in the latest Wordpress update its just stopped working. The option within the inner row still exists so I can add the URL. When I try and test and hover over the inner row I get nothing. — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://gist.github.com/5ed1198ef75ef53fcc820419e57307ee#gistcomment-3684597, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ACIMJHOTX334QADP4OOE4KTTF7FZLANCNFSM4IGOONDQ .
-- -Richard Nesbitt

Hi Richard,

After sending the message last night I did a bit more testing and narrowed down the issue. I originally had it set up so I had a single row with 2 x 4 column rows inside, which contained the hyperlinks.

If I recreate one of the 4 x column rows outside of the single column then it works. It just doesn't seem to like being embedded inside now.

I thought maybe something in the vc_column_inner.php needed to be updated, but I'm not having any issues on a new build I added this code to. Do you have anything else running that extends or modifies WP Bakery Page Builder? There are some that create a new function for elements like vc_column_inner and can't be modified by your functions.php file because of load order (plugins load first).

Hi RichardNesbitt, thanks for your work.

Same problem here.
Added all three code to my theme. I have the field for custom link in column, but not working in front end.

I tried to deactive add on of Visual Composer, nothing change.

Thanks a ton, worked beautifully!

I can't find vc_column_inner.php file in the theme editor

Hi,
after adding your php files, my wordpress is all messed up. i can add links to columns, but after updating and reloading the page they are gone again and dont get saved. also in the wpbakery page builder, all images have the missing image thumbnail, although they are still there and shown in the frontend. when i want to change an image, the media browser is empty. i removed all php files again but its still broken.

This is amazing, thank you so so much! I'm far from advanced when it comes to Wordpress and this was straightforward and easy to use. Thanks again!

Hi Richard,

This is really odd. I've been using your solution for a couple of years and had no problems. Recently added to a new version of wpbakery, with the Alchemist Theme for Sportspress and for some reason Wordpress becomes unusable.

Media doesn't load, and load times between pages become extensive. I've tested only having the files, individually, but as soon as the functio.php file is updated Wordpress starts failing. During this time, when wordpress sections do get to load I can use the column link and works as expected, but media and other functions don't. It seems it loops loading the function. Updated Wordpress and WPBackery.

System Status:
WPBackery version 6.7.0 [ Not sure if this was tested with the latest version. ]
Wordpress version 5.8.3

@jonasj95 I have the exact issue. I recently noticed you have this issue and I hope you were able to solve it.
If not, for now if you need to have access to your media and WPBakery Page Builder, remove the new column link function from functions.php
Remove the php files and the function.

One last thing, I noticed it now. When I completely remove a link in the column, previously entered, it still remains clickable despite having removed it. I'd like to know if it's my bug or it turns out to you too.

To fix this, the order of the function needs slightly rearranging to the below.

$column_link_array = vc_build_link($column_link);
$column_link = esc_url($column_link_array['url']);
if( !empty($column_link) ){
    $column_target = $column_link_array['target'];
    $column_rel = $column_link_array['rel'];
    $column_title = $column_link_array['title'];
    $output .= "<a href='$column_link' target='$column_target' rel='$column_rel' title='$column_title' class='big_link' style='position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;z-index:9999;'aria-hidden='true'></a>";
}

Hello Richard,

I hale problem with this solution, I could add link to back-end editor like this

But It didn't work on front-end page, I have try serveral solution I found in the comments, include added to parent theme, modified file on js_composer/templates/shortcodes and I have added this to functions.php in both parent and child theme, copy the vc_template of this to file in both parent and child theme :

vc_add_param("vc_column", array(
"type" => "vc_link",
"class" => "",
"heading" => "Column Link",
"param_name" => "column_link"
));

/* Add option for URL to column_inner settings */

vc_add_param("vc_column_inner", array(
"type" => "vc_link",
"class" => "",
"heading" => "Column Link",
"param_name" => "column_link"
));
add_filter('vc_shortcode_set_template_vc_column', function($template){
return get_stylesheet_directory() . '/vc_templates/vc_column.php';
});

and it's not working too, I use wpbakery builder version 3.7.0, wish I could find something that help, thank you.

Found a solution that work, add this to function.php

add_action( 'vc_before_init', 'vc_before_init_actions' );

function vc_before_init_actions() {

// Link your VC elements's folder
if( function_exists('vc_set_shortcodes_templates_dir') ){ 
 
    vc_set_shortcodes_templates_dir( get_template_directory() . '/vc-elements' );
     
}

}

and edit file vc_column.php,vc_column_inner.php in /wp-content/plugins/js_composer/include/templates/shortcodes
thema sway, Version WPBPB: 3.7.0

Hello,

First of all thank you for this code, it's such a good function!
It still works in WP Bakery 6.10 but there is a tiny problem.
The link always opens with target=_blank but i do not select it in the link options when editing the page.
If I switch to wordpress view and edit the target to target=_self it does not do anything and on the front end it keeps opening in a new tab.

Is there a solution for this? I'm not an expert but i tried hard and I can't do it...

EDIT: nevermind, its only when you are logged in ^^ for visitors it works

I've just published an update for the latest WP Bakery Page Builder v. 6.13

Slight changes in their code, but nothing major. Added some ternary operators to bypass bits of code if title, rel, and target boxes aren't checked.

The Best way to add WP Bakery column clickable

Add a Custom CSS Class:

1. In WPBakery Page Builder, edit the column you want to make clickable.
2. Under the "Design Options" or "Design" tab (depending on your WPBakery version), you should find an option to add a custom CSS class to the column. It might be labeled as "Extra class name" or something similar.
3. Add a custom CSS class, for example, "clickable-column" to the column.

.clickable-column{
cursor: pointer;
}

Custom JavaScript:

1. In your WordPress theme, you can add custom JavaScript code to make the columns with the "clickable-column" class clickable. You can do this by adding the JavaScript code in the theme's JavaScript file or using a custom JavaScript plugin.

Here's an example of how you can use JavaScript (jQuery) to make columns with the "clickable-column" class clickable and navigate to a specific URL:

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
// Add a click event handler to elements with the "clickable-column" class
$('.clickable-column').click(function() {
// Get the URL from a data attribute or set it directly
var targetUrl = $(this).data('target-url') || 'https://example.com';
// Navigate to the URL
window.location.href = targetUrl;
});
});

DO NOT DO THIS.
Even if it wasn't a bad idea because you'd have to do it for every 👏 single👏 column👏, it can cause accessibility issues. Without having a semantically clickable element, there's no target for assistive technology.

DO NOT DO THIS. Even if it wasn't a bad idea because you'd have to do it for every 👏 single👏 column👏, it can cause accessibility issues. Without having a semantically clickable element, there's no target for assistive technology.

I'm using it for Anchor ID, & it works for me :)

I didn't say it wouldn't work. I said it's a bad solution.

…

On Thu, Sep 14, 2023 at 3:02 AM Abdullah Ijaz ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.**** commented on this gist. ------------------------------ DO NOT DO THIS. Even if it wasn't a bad idea because you'd have to do it for every 👏 single👏 column👏, it can cause accessibility issues. Without having a semantically clickable element, there's no target for assistive technology. I'm using it for Anchor ID, & it works for me :) — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <https://gist.github.com/RichardNesbitt/5ed1198ef75ef53fcc820419e57307ee#gistcomment-4692107> or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ACIMJHI5XLBVXTZMCTG3PQLX2LI2TBFKMF2HI4TJMJ2XIZLTSKBKK5TBNR2WLJDHNFZXJJDOMFWWLK3UNBZGKYLEL52HS4DFQKSXMYLMOVS2I5DSOVS2I3TBNVS3W5DIOJSWCZC7OBQXE5DJMNUXAYLOORPWCY3UNF3GS5DZVRZXKYTKMVRXIX3UPFYGLK2HNFZXIQ3PNVWWK3TUUZ2G64DJMNZZDAVEOR4XAZNEM5UXG5FFOZQWY5LFVA4TGOBRHEZTQNFHORZGSZ3HMVZKMY3SMVQXIZI> . You are receiving this email because you authored the thread. Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675> or Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub> .