One of the most common set of questions our support team gets asked is how LearnDash works with page builders.
Which page builder plugins are compatible with LearnDash?
What’s the best page builder to use?
How do I customize the layout of my LearnDash courses, lessons & topics with a page builder?
Can I use a free page builder or do I need the pro version?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer all of those questions, as well as walk you through exactly how to use specific page builders to best design your LearnDash courses. We’ll focus on three of the most popular WordPress page builders:
Elementor
Beaver Builder
Divi
Before we dive into the specifics of each, it’s important to understand what a page builder can & cannot do. We’ll also cover some basics that apply to how all page builders interface with LearnDash, no matter which one you choose to use.
NOTE
This guide assumes you are using the LearnDash 3.0 active template. With the exception of Elementor (which requires LearnDash 3.0), most of the concepts also apply to the Legacy template, but there could be some inconsistencies. We’ll also be using the new WordPress editor (aka: Gutenberg). Screenshots will look different if you’re using the Classic Editor plugin.
Table of Contents [show]1 How Page Builders Work2 How LearnDash Adds Content to the Page2.1 Dynamic Content2.2 Your Own Course, Lesson, Topic & Quiz Content2.3 LearnDash Blocks2.4 LearnDash Shortcodes2.5 LearnDash Widgets2.6 An Exception: Focus Mode2.7 Summary3 Choosing a Theme3.1 General Page Layout4 Enable Page Builder for LearnDash Post Types4.1 Elementor4.2 Beaver Builder4.3 Divi5 Using Shortcodes with Page Builders5.1 Elementor5.2 Beaver Builder5.3 Divi6 Using Widgets with Page Builders6.1 Elementor6.2 Beaver Builder7 Basic Content Editing with Page Builders7.1 Conditionally Show/Hide Content7.1.1 Elementor Example7.1.2 Beaver Builder Example7.1.3 Divi Example8 FAQ8.1 Was this article helpful to you?
How Page Builders Work
An entire book could be written on this topic, but that’s obviously not the focus of this article. However, there are a few basic things you should understand about how page builders work.
Almost all page builders let you design the main content of a page, post, course, lesson or other custom post type. Essentially, the same content that you would add via the default WordPress editor. This does not include your site’s header, sidebars or footer.
Most pro versions or premium page builders do let you design your site’s header, sidebars and footer. (Elementor Pro’s Theme Builder, Beaver Themer, etc.)
All page builders come with their own set of elements that you can use to design & lay out your content (columns, headings, lists, tables, icons, photo galleries, etc.).
These differ depending on the page builder you’re using, as well as the free vs pro version of that particular builder.
Keeping in mind the type of content a page builder has control over, let’s talk about how LearnDash content is added to your site’s pages.
How LearnDash Adds Content to the Page
There are several ways LearnDash content gets added to a page. The differences are important to understand, as they directly apply to whether or not they can be controlled or modified via a page builder.
Dynamic Content
Dynamic content refers to content that you, the site owner, does not directly add in the WordPress editor. Based on the type of page that a user is viewing (course vs. lesson vs. topic), as well as how that course is configured, LearnDash automatically adds content to the page.
Examples of dynamically added LearnDash content include, but are not limited to:
On a course page: For non-enrolled users, the current status, price & get started sections at the top. For enrolled users, the date of last activity, progress bar & status indicator.
On a course page: The course content list at the bottom, which contains all lessons, topics & quizzes assigned to that course
On a lesson page: The list of topics assigned to that lesson
On lesson/topic pages: The assignments area, which provides a way for the user to upload assignments, and lists all uploaded assignments
In Focus Mode: The header, which includes a logo (optional), course progress, navigation buttons, and an avatar w/ dropdown menu
In Focus Mode: The sidebar, which contains the course title and navigation links
✅ You CAN edit LearnDash dynamic content with Elementor (using our compatibility integration)
❌ You cannot edit LearnDash dynamic content with Divi
❌ You cannot edit LearnDash dynamic content with BeaverBuilder
DEVELOPERS
If you’re comfortable with HTML & PHP, you can override LearnDash template files. This allows you to customize the dynamic content, as well as change where on the page it gets inserted. Technical experience required.
Your Own Course, Lesson, Topic & Quiz Content
This refers to the content which you, the site owner, have direct control over. For all course, lesson, topic & quiz pages, you can freely add & edit whatever content you’d like.
✅ If you’re using a page builder, you can design this content with your page builder of choice.
However, LearnDash determines where on the page it will go.
For example, on a lesson page (using Focus Mode), your own content will always be placed after the breadcrumbs and before the next & previous lesson buttons. If you’ve added materials to the lesson, two tabs will be inserted dynamically:
Lesson
Materials
Your own lesson content will be added directly below the “Lesson” tab.
Keep in mind, only your own content, added in this specific area, can be edited with a page builder. All other page elements in Focus Mode are controlled solely by LearnDash (or by using one of two popular third-party LearnDash design plugins, Design Upgrade Pro or Visual Customizer).
LearnDash Blocks
LearnDash blocks provide a way for you to add specific LearnDash information to the main content area of a page, but only if you’re using the latest version of the WordPress editor (aka: Gutenberg). Blocks only work within Gutenberg.
A few examples of LearnDash blocks include:
LearnDash Profile: displays a user’s profile & registered courses
LearnDash Course List: displays a list of courses, or a grid if using the Course Grid add-on
LearnDash Course Progress: displays a progress bar showing the user’s progress in that course
❌ When using a page builder, there is no way to add a LearnDash block to your page.
LearnDash Shortcodes
Every LearnDash block has an accompanying shortcode. A shortcode is a simple piece of text that outputs specific LearnDash information. Many shortcodes come with parameters (or options) that let you customize which information is displayed. See our complete guide on LearnDash shortcodes.
A shortcode looks like this:
[ld_profile]
This example outputs a user profile, complete with their profile image, name, some basic stats, and a list of courses they’re enrolled in, along with their progress in each.
✅ The big advantage of shortcodes over blocks is that they can be used with all page builders.
Exactly how to use LearnDash shortcodes depends on which page builder you are using, which we’ll go into more detail below.
LearnDash Widgets
Widgets are a core part of WordPress. They are pieces of functionality that can easily be added to any WordPress sidebar area. LearnDash provides a handful of widgets as well. LearnDash widgets provide the ability to add course navigation, course lists, and other various course elements. We have a complete guide on widgets here.
The following page builders allow the use of LearnDash widgets:
✅ Elementor: Free & Pro
✅ Beaver Builder: Free & Pro
❌ Divi: No (you can add entire sidebar areas but not individual widgets)
An Exception: Focus Mode
Focus Mode works a bit differently than the rest of the pages on your site. The same ideas for how content is added still apply, but when Focus Mode is enabled, your site’s normal header, sidebar & footer are removed.
❌ The header is dynamic content, not editable with a page builder
❌ The sidebar course navigation is dynamic content, not editable with a page builder
❌ The page title, progress meter & breadcrumbs are dynamic content, not editable with a page builder
✅ The lesson, topic & quiz content (below the breadcrumbs) is your own content, and this is editable by a page builder
Summary
Dynamically added by LearnDash is only editable with Elementor (using our compatibility add-on)
Focus Mode design elements cannot be edited with page builders
All content added by you, via the WordPress editor, is editable with page builders
When designing with a page builder, use LearnDash shortcodes & widgets (not blocks)
Choosing a Theme
If you want to use a page builder with LearnDash, the theme you choose will have some impact on how you can design your content. Just about all WordPress themes work with page builders (and with LearnDash), but some work better.
In general, themes that explicitly provide page builder support will give you more control over the design of your courses. A few popular themes that have been specifically designed for use with page builders are:
Astra
GeneratePress
OceanWP
You don’t have to use one of these themes. All WordPress themes (built to the proper standards) work with LearnDash. We just wanted to highlight the ones that give you the most flexibility.
General Page Layout
Using one of the aforementioned themes provides you with some advantages over other themes, particularly when it comes to using a page builder.
NOTE
These settings vary from theme to theme. Not all themes will have these options, but the themes mentioned above have some variation of them.
Content width: Multiple options are typically available for narrow, wide, full-width and/or 100% stretched
Sidebars: You can choose to enable/disable the sidebar on individual pages, or choose which side it should appear (right or left)
Disable page title: This allows you to hide the default page title that is included at the top of the page, and add your own using a page builder
Disable featured image: This allows you to hide the featured image that is usually displayed at the top of your course page
Here are a few examples:
Individual page settings using the free Astra theme
Individual page settings using the free GeneratePress theme
Individual page settings using the free OceanWP theme (requires the “Ocean Extra” plugin)
NOTE
If you want to control your layout & spacing completely with a page builder, you probably want to set your page settings to use no sidebar, and a content width of “full” or “stretched.”
Before we get into specific examples with each page builder, let’s make sure your builder is enabled for use with LearnDash.
Enable Page Builder for LearnDash Post Types
Before you can use a page builder with LearnDash, you need to ensure that you’ve enabled the page builder to work with LearnDash custom post types. If you can’t find a way to edit a piece of LearnDash content using your page builder, try following these steps to enable it.
Elementor
Navigate to ELEMENTOR > SETTINGS
In the “Post Types” section, check the boxes for Courses, Lesson, Topics & Quizzes (or just select the ones you need)
Click “Save Changes”
Now you will see the “Edit with Elementor” button on the post types you selected.
ELEMENTOR PRO
If you’re using Elementor Pro to build custom templates for LearnDash content, please see this article on how to get LearnDash post types to appear in the post type menu.
Beaver Builder
Navigate to SETTINGS > BEAVER BUILDER
Click on “Post Types”
Check the boxes for Courses, Lesson, Topics & Quizzes (or just select the ones you need)
Click “Save Post Types”
Divi
By default, Divi should be enabled for courses & lessons, but if you want to use it with topics and/or quizzes, you’ll need to enable it.
Navigate to DIVI > PLUGIN OPTIONS
Click on the “Post Types Integration” tab
Click the post types for Topics & Quizzes (or just select the ones you need)
Click “Save Settings”
Using Shortcodes with Page Builders
Shortcodes are one of two ways you can add LearnDash-specific content using a page builder. Let’s go through exactly how to add use shortcodes in each page builder.
Elementor
When you go to edit a piece of LearnDash content (course, lesson, topic or quiz), you’ll have an “Edit with Elementor” button at the top. Click this button to open your content with Elementor.
If you haven’t added any of your own content to the page yet, you will see a pretty blank page. Your global header & footer should be there, but you won’t see any dynamic LearnDash content while the course is still a draft. Once you publish the course, the LearnDash dynamic content will appear in the preview screen.
Example of a LearnDash course page as you begin to edit it with Elementor
So keep in mind, what you are adding to the page with Elementor will show up in a particular area, along with the dynamic content that LearnDash adds.
To add a shortcode to your page with Elementor:
Locate the “Shortcode” widget in the left panel
Click, hold & drag the widget somewhere on the page
In the left panel, type any LearnDash shortcode
You might need to click the green “Apply” button to preview it
When you’re finished editing, be sure to click the “Publish” or “Update” button at the bottom
Use the full power of Elementor to add other widgets on the page (before or after LearnDash shortcodes)
Use Elementor’s columns to place LearnDash shortcodes next to other content
Get creative by adding backgrounds & other design options to the Section that contains your LearnDash shortcode
Add as many LearnDash shortcodes to a page as you’d like
Beaver Builder
When you go to edit a piece of LearnDash content, you’ll have a “Launch Beaver Builder” button where your content would normally appear. Click this button to open your content with Beaver Builder.
You won’t see any dynamically added LearnDash content in your preview until you publish the course. The content you add will be placed in-between LearnDash’s dynamic content.
To add a shortcode to your page with Beaver Builder:
Locate the “HTML” module in the left panel
Click, hold & drag the module somewhere on the page
In the left panel, type any LearnDash shortcode
Click the “Save” button at the bottom to preview it
When you’re finished editing, be sure to click the “Done” button in the top-right corner, and then either “Publish” or “Update” to save your changes
Divi
When you go to edit a piece of LearnDash content (course, lesson, topic or quiz), you’ll see a “Use The Divi Builder” button at the top. Click this button to open your content with Divi.
When you first launch Divi, you might be prompted with a few options:
Build from Scratch
Choose a Premade Layout
Clone Existing Page
Choose the option that best meets your needs. You will then be sent to Divi’s visual builder screen.
To add a shortcode to your page with Divi:
Click the green + icon to add a new row
Choose the the layout of your row
Then choose the “Code” module (the “Text” module will also work)
Type in any LearnDash shortcode
Click the green checkmark icon
When you’re finished editing, be sure to click the three dots at the bottom of the screen, and then the “Save” button
Using Widgets with Page Builders
In addition to shortcodes, widgets are another method of adding LearnDash content via a page builder. Let’s cover the specifics of each page builder that allows for the use of LearnDash widgets.
Elementor
In Elementor, the LearnDash widgets are located in the “WordPress” section in the left panel. You can also access them using the “Search Widget…” bar at the top. The following LearnDash widgets are available:
Course Progress Bar
Course Navigation
Course Information
User Status
Course
Lesson
Quiz
Certificates
To add a LearnDash widget to your page with Elementor:
Locate the widget you want to add from the left panel
Click, hold & drag the widget somewhere on the page
(optional) In the left panel, give your widget a title and adjust the available settings
You might need to click the green “Apply” button to preview it
When you’re finished editing, be sure to click the “Publish” or “Update” button at the bottom
Beaver Builder
The same widgets mentioned above (for Elementor) are also available for Beaver Builder.
To add a LearnDash widget to your page with Beaver Builder:
In the left panel, either switch your module group to “WordPress Widgets” or use the search feature
Locate the widget you want to add
Click, hold & drag the widget somewhere on the page
(optional) In the left panel, give your widget a title and adjust the available settings
When you’re finished editing, be sure to click the “Done” button in the top-right corner, and then either “Publish” or “Update” to save your changes.
Basic Content Editing with Page Builders
Now that you know how to add LearnDash shortcodes & widgets to your favorite page builder, let’s talk about a few basic editing rules that apply to all page builders when you’re working with LearnDash.
Conditionally Show/Hide Content
LearnDash provides a few shortcodes you can use to show content to a specific type of user:
[student] and [/student] – only visible to someone who is registered for the course
[visitor] and [/visitor] – only visible to someone who is not registered for the course
These can be especially useful for:
providing registered students with student-only content on the course page
displaying a sign-up/purchase message to non-registered users when they’re viewing sample lessons
…or any number of other creative applications
Unlike other LearnDash shortcodes, these cannot be used within a shortcode widget. They must be used within a text editor or HTML widget.
Elementor: Use the “Text Editor” or “HTML” widget
Beaver Builder: Use the “Text Editor” or “HTML” widget
Divi: Use the “Text” or “Code” widget
You can place any content you’d like between the shortcodes, just make sure it is all contained within the same element. You cannot have an opening [student] shortcode in one element, add some content in subsequent elements, and then place your closing [/student] shortcode in another element.
NOTE
If you’re using the free Uncanny LearnDash Toolkit, you can also use the [uo_show] shortcode to show content to logged in vs. logged out users (regardless of course enrollment status).
Elementor Example
We recommend using the “Text Editor” widget in Elementor
Beaver Builder Example
We recommend using the “Text Editor” module in Beaver Builder
Divi Example
We recommend using the “Text” module in Divi
FAQ
I’m using a page builder not mentioned in this article. Can I still use it with my LearnDash-powered site?
Yes. The same principles mentioned in this article apply to all WordPress page builders. The widgets & modules you use might be named differently, but the concepts are the same.
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