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EU/UK VAT Manager: Shortcodes Guide

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EU/UK VAT Manager for WooCommerce registers one shortcode, [alg_wc_eu_vat_translate]. Use it inside the plugin’s text settings at WPFactory > EU VAT (also reachable at WooCommerce > Settings > EU VAT), such as the field label, placeholder, description and validation messages, to show different text per language on WPML or Polylang stores. It is free.

The [alg_wc_eu_vat_translate] shortcode #

The shortcode reads the active language code (ICL_LANGUAGE_CODE, set by WPML and by Polylang) and outputs the text that matches, so a single settings field can carry several languages. It works two ways.

Wrapping form #

Wrap each language’s text in its own tag, and use not_lang for the fallback:

[alg_wc_eu_vat_translate lang="de"]EU-Steuernummer[/alg_wc_eu_vat_translate][alg_wc_eu_vat_translate lang="nl"]BTW nummer van de EU[/alg_wc_eu_vat_translate][alg_wc_eu_vat_translate not_lang="de,nl"]EU VAT Number[/alg_wc_eu_vat_translate]

Attribute form #

Pass both texts as attributes on a single tag:

[alg_wc_eu_vat_translate lang="de,nl" lang_text="EU-Steuernummer" not_lang_text="EU VAT Number"]

The attribute form is used only when lang, lang_text and not_lang_text are all present. If one is missing, the tag falls back to the wrapping form.

Parameters #

Parameter Description
lang One or more language codes (comma separated), for example de or de,nl. The wrapped content (or lang_text) shows for these languages. Matching ignores case.
not_lang Language codes for which the content should be hidden. Use it to build a fallback tag that shows for every other language.
lang_text Attribute form only: the text to show for the lang languages.
not_lang_text Attribute form only: the fallback text for all other languages.

Basic HTML such as <strong> or a link is kept in the output.

How to translate the VAT field #

  1. Go to WPFactory > EU VAT (also reachable at WooCommerce > Settings > EU VAT) and open the General sub-tab.
  2. In Field label, replace EU VAT Number with a shortcode set such as the wrapping example above.
  3. Do the same for Placeholder and Description if you use them.
  4. Open the Messages sub-tab and repeat for the progress messages you show, for example Valid, Not valid and Is required.
  5. Click Save changes and load the checkout in each language.

Where to use it #

Paste the shortcode into any text setting on the General and Messages sub-tabs, for example the Field label, Placeholder, Description, the “Let customer decide” and “Valid VAT but still paying?” labels, and the validation progress messages. These settings are run through do_shortcode(), so the correct language renders on the checkout, the sign-up form and the order details.

Note: language codes are matched against your multilingual plugin’s active language. If no multilingual plugin is active, the lang content is hidden and the not_lang (fallback) text shows.

If it does not work #

  • Only the fallback text shows: no ICL_LANGUAGE_CODE is defined, or your codes do not match it. Use the same codes as your language switcher, for example de, not de_DE.
  • The raw tag shows: the setting you pasted into is not one of the plugin’s text settings. The shortcode is not meant for pages or posts.
  • Nothing shows for one language: add a not_lang fallback tag that lists every language you covered.

FAQ #

Does EU/UK VAT Manager have a shortcode to show the VAT number? #

No. [alg_wc_eu_vat_translate] is the only shortcode. To show the VAT number on orders, use General > Display, see Show VAT Numbers in Admin Orders and Reports.

Is it available in the free version? #

Yes. The shortcode works in both Free and Pro.

Can I also use WPML String Translation? #

The plugin ships a wpml-config.xml file, but the shortcode lets you keep all languages in one field without extra setup.

Related: Customize the VAT Validation Messages.

Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the EU/UK VAT Manager support forum.