How do I display a wordpress page content?

Question

I know this is really simple but it just isn't coming to me for some reason and google isn't helping me today.

I want to output the pages content, how do I do that?

I thought it was this:

<?php echo the_content(); ?>

Solution 1

@Marc B Thanks for the comment. Helped me discover this:

<?php if ( have_posts() ) : while ( have_posts() ) : the_post();
the_content();
endwhile; else: ?>
<p>Sorry, no posts matched your criteria.</p>
<?php endif; ?>

Solution 2

This is more concise:

<?php echo get_post_field('post_content', $post->ID); ?>

and this even more:

<?= get_post_field('post_content', $post->ID) ?>

Solution 3

@Sydney Try putting wp_reset_query() before you call the loop. This will display the content of your page.

<?php
    wp_reset_query(); // necessary to reset query
    while ( have_posts() ) : the_post();
        the_content();
    endwhile; // End of the loop.
?>

EDIT: Try this if you have some other loops that you previously ran. Place wp_reset_query(); where you find it most suitable, but before you call this loop.

Solution 4

For people that don't like horrible looking code with php tags blasted everywhere...

<?php
if (have_posts()):
  while (have_posts()) : the_post();
    the_content();
  endwhile;
else:
  echo '<p>Sorry, no posts matched your criteria.</p>';
endif;
?>

Solution 5

Just put this code in your content div

<?php
// TO SHOW THE PAGE CONTENTS
    while ( have_posts() ) : the_post(); ?> <!--Because the_content() works only inside a WP Loop -->
        <div class="entry-content-page">
            <?php the_content(); ?> <!-- Page Content -->
        </div><!-- .entry-content-page -->

    <?php
endwhile; //resetting the page loop
wp_reset_query(); //resetting the page query
?>

View more solutions

Comments

[Sydney]

I tried this but it display the content of all the posts but not the current page.

[socca1157]

Thanks, this was harder to find than expected.

[Dan Zuzevich]

This works. However, why is it that the PHP community loves to use unnecessary amounts of php tags? It is really confusing to read, and there is no need for it. I have posted a rework of this answer with cleaner syntax if anyone is interested. Not being a hater, as I am going to upvote this one as the answer.

[I am the Most Stupid Person]

Last one works only if you have enable PHP shortcodes

[Khom Nazid]

While the usual the_content() is correct, in some custom post templates what you suggest is much better. Doesn't need the wp_query_reset. Thank you!