Live Data Display vs Shortcodes Ultimate – Content Elements

Live Data Display is a powerful WordPress plugin that loads JSON feeds via HTTP and displays live-updating values on your site — with no page reload required. Perfect for live tickers, stock prices, sports results, weather data, sensor readings, and any other real-time data source. Key Features: Multiple independent slots: Configure as many data slots as you need, each with its own API URL, refresh interval, and display target. Shortcode and Gutenberg block: Place data anywhere with [araa slot="slot_1"] or the built-in block. Auto-refresh: Each slot refreshes independently at a configurable interval (minimum 500 ms). Server-side initial value: For slots with a refresh interval ≥ 10 s the initial value is pre-rendered server-side and cached, so visitors see data immediately — no flash of empty content. Proxy for cross-origin APIs: Optional server-side proxy (admin-ajax or REST API) fetches external URLs from the server, bypassing browser CORS restrictions. Customisable GET parameters: Use #GET_key# placeholders in the API URL to pass the current page’s GET parameters to the remote API. Prefix / Suffix: Wrap every displayed value with configurable text (e.g. currency symbol, unit). Error text: Show a custom fallback message when the API request fails or the JSON path is not found. Page-visibility aware: Slots pause polling while the browser tab is hidden and resume immediately when it becomes visible again. Active / Inactive toggle: Enable or disable individual slots without deleting their configuration. Built-in demo APIs: The plugin ships with six ready-to-use REST API endpoints that can serve as live data sources straight away — no external service needed. Each endpoint must be individually enabled under Settings → Live Data Display → API: /wp-json/araa/v1/api/time — current server time, date, weekday, and timezone /wp-json/araa/v1/api/countdown — seconds/days until a target date (?to=YYYY-MM-DD; defaults to next New Year) /wp-json/araa/v1/api/random — random integer within a configurable range (?min=1&max=100) Clean uninstall: All plugin data is removed on deletion (optional: keep settings). How It Works: Add a slot: Go to Settings → Live Data Display and create a slot. Enter the API URL: Paste the JSON feed URL. Use #GET_key# for dynamic GET parameters. Set the JSON path: Enter the dot-separated path to the value you need (e.g. items.0.score). Choose a proxy method (only needed for external/cross-origin URLs): admin-ajax or REST API proxy. Set the refresh interval: How often (in milliseconds) should the value be updated? Place the output: Use the shortcode [araa slot="slot_1"], the Gutenberg block, or a custom CSS/jQuery selector. Optional: Add prefix, suffix, placeholder, error text, and an initial-hide selector. Optional — enable REST API: To expose slot values via the plugin’s own REST API endpoints, go to Settings → Live Data Display → API and activate the feature. The endpoints are disabled by default.

Building new pages with Gutenberg? Explore VovaBlocks, a focused collection of native marketing and content blocks from the creator of Shortcodes Ultimate. View VovaBlocks → About Shortcodes Ultimate Shortcodes Ultimate is a WordPress shortcode plugin for adding tabs, accordions, buttons, FAQs, sliders, carousels, lightboxes, columns, boxes and other reusable content elements without coding. It is ideal for site owners who want richer content layouts and practical UI elements without switching to a full page builder. Use Shortcodes Ultimate in the Block Editor, Classic Editor, widgets and template files. Generate shortcodes visually, preview the result before inserting it, and reuse the same elements across posts, pages and existing shortcode-based content. Trusted by hundreds of thousands of WordPress sites, Shortcodes Ultimate helps you replace multiple single-purpose UI plugins with one maintained toolkit. Explore live examples What you can build With Shortcodes Ultimate, you can quickly add common WordPress content elements such as: Accordions and FAQ sections Responsive tabs CTA buttons and download buttons Boxes, notes and callouts Columns and layout helpers Sliders and carousels Lightboxes for images and custom content Post lists and dynamic content blocks Spoilers, toggles and expandable content Media embeds and visual content blocks Instead of installing a separate plugin for every small content element, Shortcodes Ultimate gives you one maintained toolkit for everyday WordPress content tasks. Works with modern and classic WordPress workflows Shortcodes Ultimate works with the Block Editor, Classic Editor, widgets and template files. You can insert shortcodes manually, use WordPress shortcode blocks or use the built-in shortcode generator to configure elements visually. This makes the plugin useful for: Site owners who want to improve content without coding Bloggers and affiliate publishers who need reusable CTA and content blocks Agencies and freelancers maintaining multiple WordPress sites Developers who want shortcode-friendly output in templates Existing sites with older content that already uses shortcodes Why use Shortcodes Ultimate? 50+ ready-to-use WordPress shortcodes Visual shortcode generator Live preview Works with the Block Editor and Classic Editor Shortcodes can be used in posts, pages, widgets and template files Responsive elements that work with your theme Built-in Custom CSS editor Developer-friendly hooks and documentation Free version available on WordPress.org Pro version available for advanced shortcodes, extra styles and premium support Why shortcodes still matter in WordPress The WordPress Block Editor is great for visual content editing, but shortcodes are still useful when you need portable, reusable content elements that work across different parts of a WordPress site. Shortcodes are especially helpful when you want to: Reuse the same content element in many posts or pages Add dynamic content inside widgets or templates Maintain older WordPress sites that already use shortcodes Work across Classic Editor and Block Editor workflows Add content elements without switching to a full page builder Keep common UI elements available through a simple text-based syntax Shortcodes Ultimate is designed for these practical workflows. It gives you a large collection of ready-made shortcodes and a visual generator, so you do not need to write shortcode syntax manually unless you want to. Free and Pro The free version of Shortcodes Ultimate includes a large collection of useful shortcodes for everyday WordPress content tasks. Shortcodes Ultimate Pro adds advanced shortcodes, additional styles, Content Slider, Pricing Table, Testimonials, Shortcode Creator, Elementor support and premium support. Compare Free and Pro Useful links Documentation Live Examples Pro features Support