Ideas

Two WordPress Plugins to Add ASCII Art to Source Code

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Adding ASCII art to the source code (the HTML files) may not interest people who don’t look at source code.

The source code is an easy place to add ASCII art because those files open in plain text, no formatting or fancy fonts. So, the ASCII art shows up without much extra work, almost none in fact.

Two WordPress Plugins to Add ASCII Art to Source CodeIf you access your HTML files you can add ASCII art yourself, without the plugins. But, not everyone wants to do that.

WP Figlet

WP Figlet is all about adding text created in ASCII art fonts (figlets). It even lets you choose which figlet fonts you want to use. The auto suggestions creates a figlet in your source code.

It does work.

Source Code ASCII Art

(No longer available as of 2018).

Source Code (although not updated in 4 years, also works). If you are timid about mucking around in the HTML files then either of these plugins will work for you. Source Code lets you choose to have the ASCII art in your header or footer. However, I found it did need the extra HTML code for keeping the formatting after I saved my text image.

One thing I dislike about Source Code is the lack of artist credit (artist initials). I checked several of the ASCII images available with the plugin and none had artist credits. I used my own ASCII image with my initials.

In the end… DIY.

Don’t be bashful about getting into your own source code. Skip the plugins and just do it yourself.  Once you access the file it’s very simple to add the ASCII art with the code for notes.

WordPress Plugin to Add ASCII Art to your Footer

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I looked at 3 plugins to add ASCII art to your WordPress blog. This is the first one, Kilroy Was Here, which I loaded up and experimented with. It does work but may not be the results you wanted.

There are no options to add the ASCII art to the bottom of your posts or pages. The plugin does place ASCII art at the very bottom of my site, under the footer. The spacing was out, the lines between text. Also, the top line of my art was pushed to the left.

I tried another ASCII, thinking a longer image would look better either way. Adding HTML code worked to keep the formatting but, it shows up on the site.

Still it is nice to have a little surprise for anyone who reads to the end. So I will keep this plugin and see how often I remember to change out the ASCII art images.

ASCII Art Hidden in Source Code

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Now and then if you look at the source code (the HTML code) of websites you can find ASCII art. Its like a secret surprise for those who dig a little deeper.  Have a look at – ASCII Art Signatures in the Wild.

You can add ASCII art to the source code for your own site or blog.

Choose the ASCII art you want to use. Make your own ASCII art or borrow art created by someone else. (Don’t forget to keep the artist credit/ initials with the work).

Open the source file in a text editor. Notepad (the software which comes with Windows) will work.

Pick the place you will add the ASCII art – make sure you don’t break the HTML code because that would mess up your site.

You need to add some simple HTML code before and after the ASCII art.
ASCII Art Hidden in Source Code

This code prevents your ASCII art from showing on the page – instead it is like a note you have left to yourself in the code. Only people looking at the actual HTML code can see what you place in this particular HTML code.
Then save the file and close it.

Welcome Mat.co shares the code for adding a “Welcome” to the HTML code of your site.