Title: [Plugin: Multiple Sidebars] Bugs in method dynamic_sidebar() Last modified: August 20, 2016 --- # [Plugin: Multiple Sidebars] Bugs in method dynamic_sidebar() * Resolved [JochenT](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jochent/) * (@jochent) * [14 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/) * Hi, * Me again. I’ve found two bugs in method dynamic_sidebar() in code fragment * ``` $sidebars = explode(",", $sidebars); if(!$sidebars){ $sidebars = "multiple-sidebars-default"; } foreach ($sidebars as $sidebar) { if (is_active_sidebar($sidebar)) { dynamic_sidebar($sidebar); } } ``` * One problem is the use of the function explode(). If $sidebars is an empty string it returns an none empty array which contains one empty element (`count($sidebars) ==1`). Thus the following if-statement `if(!$sidebars) { ... }` will always fail as the array is not empty. Finally the `foreach (...)` will loop and call function‘ is_active_sidebar($sidebar)` with an empty string. This will always fail and the default sidebar is never displayed as fallback. * The second problem is the definition of the array for the name of the default sidebar `$sidebars = "multiple-sidebars-default";`. The assignment of a string to a variable is not an array. You have to cast the string into an array before assignment `$sidebars = array("multiple-sidebars-default");`. But as this statement was never executed it had no effect on the code. * Together with my suggestion from the other post the modified code could be * ``` $sidebars = empty($sidebars) ? array('multiple-sidebars-default') : explode(',', $sidebars); foreach ($sidebars as $sidebar) { if (is_active_sidebar($sidebar)) { $success = dynamic_sidebar($sidebar) ? true : $success; } } ``` * [http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/multiple-sidebars/](http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/multiple-sidebars/) Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) * Plugin Author [Andrico](https://wordpress.org/support/users/andrico/) * (@andrico) * [14 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618308) * perfect! and is implemented as I said! * very good correction! * I will put you among the contributors! * Sorry for the English, but use the google translator. * Thread Starter [JochenT](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jochent/) * (@jochent) * [14 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618339) * Hi, * Thank you. This is much of honor. The good idea and most of the code is still from you. But I appreciate it. * [trulygood](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trulygood/) * (@trulygood) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618464) * Hi I am attempting to use this Plugin/this code but despite having created the Sidebars, activated them, and assigning them to a page, nothing is being displayed. * Here is my sidebar template code: * ``` ``` * Am I missing something? * Cheers, Andy * Thread Starter [JochenT](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jochent/) * (@jochent) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618465) * These changes are only for function dynamic_sidebar() in the plugin code. In the current version of the plugin these changes are already implemented. You have to do nothing if you use the latest version. * [trulygood](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trulygood/) * (@trulygood) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618466) * I see. Well, doing nothing also did not work. * I tried to activate the sidebars using the Widget and that did nothing. I also tried to put the sidebar code as seen in the screenshot here ([http://s.wordpress.org/extend/plugins/multiple-sidebars/screenshot-3.jpg?r=548482](http://s.wordpress.org/extend/plugins/multiple-sidebars/screenshot-3.jpg?r=548482)), but that did not work. * What is the best way to get the Custom Sidebars I have created and activated to show up in my theme? * Thread Starter [JochenT](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jochent/) * (@jochent) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618467) * I use it in TwentyEleven the following way: * ``` dynamic_sidebar()) { $useFallbackSidebar = false; } } ?> // any basic fallback sidebar widgets ``` * See sidebar.php in theme TwentyEleven for details. * [trulygood](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trulygood/) * (@trulygood) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618468) * Hi JochenT. Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. * I am using a child theme for TwentyTen theme. I tried your code as is, but it did not work. * I then modified it so it used TwentyTen code, but that is not working either. I can typically figure out things like these, so this is frustrating. * Here is the code I am trying… * ``` primary-widget-area()) { $useFallbackSidebar = false; } } ?> // any basic fallback sidebar widgets ``` * Which is returning NOTHING at all, not even the “any basic fallback sidebar widgets” text * I have the MultipleSidebar widget placed in my Primary Sidebar, and my “Default Sidebar”. * Any thoughts? * Thread Starter [JochenT](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jochent/) * (@jochent) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618469) * Sorry, you need knowledge in PHP to understand this. Perhaps you may ask a friend to help you. * [trulygood](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trulygood/) * (@trulygood) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618470) * Hmmm.. Is there no way to have the Plugin just work? Most Plugins I’ve ever used work upon Activation. Sometimes I have to drop a line or 2 of code into a template file. But I have never needed thorough php knowledge to make a Plugin work according to its default behaviour. That is why i am confused. I don’t think I am attempting to make the Plugin respond to any custom behaviour at all. * Let’s take it a step backwards. -I install and Activate the Plugin. -I create a custom Sidebar. -I activate the custom Sidebar in the Sidebars > Options menu- I assign it to a specific page by dragging it from Inactive to Active in that page screen -I drop the Multiple Sidebars Widget into my Primary Widget Area * Shouldn’t the custom Sidebar I created now be displayed on the Page I assigned it to? This is why I am confused. I follow basic instructions accordingly, but no Sidebar is displayed. * Any thoughts? Perhaps Plugin developer would know? * Plugin Author [Andrico](https://wordpress.org/support/users/andrico/) * (@andrico) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618471) * Hello, trulygood! * It seems very strange that the plugin does not work that way. * I would say that you first uninstall the plugin, and follow the steps I mention below: * 1 – install the plugin 2 – Activate the plugin 3 – place the widget “Multiple Sidebars” in the default template sidebar 4 – create a page, post or custom post type, and from the menu on the right side, create a sidebar and place in the sector “active”. * I tried it and it worked. You might have a conflict with another plugin. * Sorry for the delay in answering, and for my English. I use google translate. 😉 * If the above does not work, follow the steps 1, 2, 4, and places in the area, removing all the template code that references dynamic_sidebar. (or override it with ” /* OLD CODE */ “). and put in its place * dynamic_sidebar ()) { echo“ No sidebars selected”; } * ?> * Good luck and hope it works and you solve a problem! * [trulygood](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trulygood/) * (@trulygood) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618472) * Hi Andrico, Thanks very much for the response. I try both your suggestions, and no results. There are no other Plugins installed and activated. * I tried with custom TwentyTen Child Theme, as well as TwentyTen itself. I even gave TwentyEleven a shot, no luck. * Perhaps you can take a look? * [andy@trulygood.com](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/andy@trulygood.com?output_format=md) Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) The topic ‘[Plugin: Multiple Sidebars] Bugs in method dynamic_sidebar()’ is closed to new replies. * ![](https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/multiple-sidebars_a4a4a4.svg) * [Multiple Sidebars](https://wordpress.org/plugins/multiple-sidebars/) * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/multiple-sidebars/) * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/multiple-sidebars/active/) * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/multiple-sidebars/unresolved/) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/multiple-sidebars/reviews/) * 11 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [trulygood](https://wordpress.org/support/users/trulygood/) * Last activity: [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-multiple-sidebars-bugs-in-method-dynamic_sidebar/#post-2618472) * Status: resolved