---
title: Shortcode Reference
description: "Shortcodes let you embed AP Family Trees content on any page, post, or widget area using the WordPress Shortcode block. In the Gutenberg editor, add a **Shortcode** block and enter the shortcode. In classic text editors, paste the shortcode directly…"
url: "https://www.ancestorpress.com/docs/shortcode-reference/"
updated: "2026-05-23"
category: "AncestorPress Family Trees / Blocks & Shortcodes"
---

# Shortcode Reference

Shortcodes let you embed AP Family Trees content on any page, post, or widget area using the WordPress Shortcode block. In the Gutenberg editor, add a **Shortcode** block and enter the shortcode. In classic text editors, paste the shortcode directly into the content.

✎ **Note:** The shortcode names shown here are the current names registered by AP Family Trees v0.8+. The admin UI refers to trees as *Trees* (not Family Groups). If you have content using older names from a previous version, test whether they still resolve before updating documentation.

---

##

Displays a saved chart by its Chart ID. This is the primary shortcode for embedding interactive family tree charts.

```
[APFTChart id="1"]
```

| Attribute | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `id` | Yes | The Chart ID. Find this in **AP Family Trees → Charts**, ID column. |

Example: `Building chart...

				Powered by AP Family Trees` displays the chart with ID 3.

The chart type, root person, and display settings are all defined on the chart record itself — see [Creating a Chart](#). To show a different chart type or starting point, create a separate chart record and use its ID.

---

##

A tree identifier is required. Use [apft-family-tree family=your-tree-slug]

Displays a family tree using the default chart settings for a specific tree.

```
[apft-family-tree family="your-tree-slug"]
```

| Attribute | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `family` | Yes | The tree slug. Find this in **AP Family Trees → All Trees**. |
| `root` | No | Override the root person for this instance. Use the GEDCOM person ID (e.g. `I5`). |
| `align` | No | Alignment of the chart. Default: `center`. |

---

##

Displays a list of all members in a tree. A readable alternative to the chart, particularly useful on mobile devices.

```
[apft-family-members family="your-tree-slug"]
```

| Attribute | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `family` | Yes | The tree slug. Find this in **AP Family Trees → All Trees**. |

---

##

Displays all members across all trees.

```
[apft-members]
```

No attributes required. Useful for a site-wide members page when you have a single tree, or want to show everyone regardless of which tree they belong to.

---

## Pro

Displays a member search box. Visitors type a name and see matching members with links to their profile pages.

```
[apft-search tree="your-tree-slug"]
```

| Attribute | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `tree` | No | The tree slug to search within. Leave blank to search all trees. |

The **Search Block** in Gutenberg provides the same functionality with a visual interface - see [Gutenberg Blocks](https://www.ancestorpress.com/docs/gutenberg-blocks/).

---

## Pro

Displays a profile for a specific family member. Use on dedicated profile pages, or with `compact="true"` to embed an inline card in blog posts and articles.

```
[apft-profile person="I5" tree="your-tree-slug"]
```

| Attribute | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `person` | Yes | The person's GEDCOM reference ID (e.g. `I5`). Found in the member record in the admin. |
| `tree` | Yes | The tree slug the person belongs to. |
| `compact` | No | Set to `"true"` for a compact card showing photo, name and years only. Default: `false` (full profile). |

The **Family Member Profile Block** provides the same output with a visual person picker - see [Gutenberg Blocks](https://www.ancestorpress.com/docs/gutenberg-blocks/).

---

## Pro Plus

Displays a full alphabetical index of members in a tree, each linked to their profile page.

```
[apft-member-index tree="your-tree-slug" sort="surname" show_birth="true" show_death="true"]
```

| Attribute | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `tree` | Yes | The tree slug. |
| `sort` | No | Sort order: `surname`, `firstname`, `fullname`, or `birthdate`. Default: `surname`. |
| `show_birth` | No | Show birth dates in the index. `true` or `false`. Default: `true`. |
| `show_death` | No | Show death dates in the index. `true` or `false`. Default: `true`. |

---

## Using shortcodes in page builders

- **Divi:** use a Text module or Code module and paste the shortcode directly.
- **Elementor:** use a Shortcode widget.
- **Gutenberg block editor:** add a Shortcode block and paste the shortcode into it.

Shortcodes work in any WordPress context that processes shortcodes, including widget areas, page builder text blocks, and theme template files using `do_shortcode()`.