---
title: Troubleshooting and Developer Filters
description: Adjust WooCommerce PDF invoice shortcode output in code, remove header or footer borders, and fix common issues.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/troubleshooting-and-developer-filters/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: Troubleshooting
tags:
  - "PDF Invoices & Packing Slips Generator"
---

# Troubleshooting and Developer Filters

In PDF Invoices & Packing Slips Generator for WooCommerce, you can change what any property shortcode returns with the alg_wc_pdf_invoicing_return_prop filter, which passes the value, the shortcode attributes, and the shortcodes object. To remove the header or footer border without code, set Header line color or Footer line color to #ffffff in the document settings under WPFactory > PDF Invoicing.

### Customizing shortcode output

To intercept and modify the value any property shortcode returns, use the `alg_wc_pdf_invoicing_return_prop` filter. It passes three arguments: the value, the shortcode attributes, and the shortcodes object.

The example below reacts to a custom attribute (`my_custom_filter="1"`) on a shortcode and reformats the value based on the order language:

```
add_filter(
    'alg_wc_pdf_invoicing_return_prop',
    function ( $value, $atts, $shortcodes_obj ) {

        // Run only when the custom attribute is present
        if ( empty( $atts['my_custom_filter'] ) ) {
            return $value;
        }

        $language  = strtoupper(
            $shortcodes_obj->get_current_language_for_translate()
        );
        $timestamp = strtotime( $value );

        switch ( $language ) {
            case 'DE':
                // Custom German date format
                return date( 'F j, Y, g:i a', $timestamp );

            default:
                // Default format
                return date( 'Y-m-d H:i:s', $timestamp );
        }
    },
    10,
    3
);
```

### Removing header or footer borders

If you want to remove the line that appears under the header or above the footer, you do not need code. Open the document settings under **WPFactory > PDF Invoicing** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > PDF Invoicing**) and set **Header line color** or **Footer line color** to `#ffffff` (white), so the line blends into the page.

### Common issues

- **Nothing happens when I click Create:** confirm the document's **Enable/Disable** option is on and that the master switch **PDF Invoicing** is enabled in the General section.
- **A shortcode prints literally:** check the tag name and brackets against the Shortcode Reference, and remember that item shortcodes only resolve inside an `[each_item]` loop.
- **Special characters do not display:** in the document's font options, select **DejaVu Sans (Unicode)**, which covers most languages.

### Need a hand?

Our team answers every ticket on the [PDF Invoicing support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/pdf-invoicing-for-woocommerce/). Include the document settings and a sample order, and we will help you pinpoint the cause.

Related articles

- [PDF Invoices & Packing Slips: Developer Hooks and Filters Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/pdf-invoicing-developer-hooks-filters/)