Standfirsts
Introduce a post under its title.
Content / widget · Elementor module
Post Excerpt Widget Plugin for Elementor
Show the current post's excerpt, or a short summary made from its content when no excerpt is saved, in any Elementor post template.
Included in All AccessClassic Elementor widgetFrom $29 USD / year
Complementor / Post excerptProduct preview
Text, style and layout controls inside Elementor
01 / Interactive demonstration
A real post summary
These are the actual published outputs of the widget on a sample post without a saved excerpt: the default 40-word summary, an italic standfirst, and a short teaser.
02 / Inside WordPress
Post excerpt controls in Elementor
Content sets whether the content is summarised when no excerpt is saved, whether a saved excerpt is also trimmed, the word limit, text before and after, a fallback, the HTML tag and an optional icon. The Style tab covers typography, colour, alignment, background, border, radius and padding, plus icon position, size, gap and colour.
03 / Website use cases
Where to use post excerpt
Post templates often want a standfirst under the title, but many posts have no saved excerpt and a blank space looks broken. Post excerpt shows the saved excerpt when there is one and otherwise summarises the first words of the post, removing shortcodes and markup and keeping sentences from separate paragraphs apart.
Hero sections
Pair the summary with the featured image.
Teasers
Show a short summary in related-post templates.
04 / Installation and setup
How to show a post excerpt in Elementor
Start with Complementor installed and your license connected. Enable this module in the WordPress library, then configure it in Elementor.
Install Complementor, connect your license and enable Post excerpt in the Complementor library.
Write an Excerpt for posts that need a hand-written summary.
Add the widget under the title in your post template.
Set the word limit for generated summaries.
Style it and check a post on the frontend.
05 / Content and style controls
Customize post excerpt in Elementor
Configure the settings available for this module to suit the page you are building.
The saved excerpt, shown as written.
A summary from the content when no excerpt is saved.
Word limit, optionally applied to saved excerpts too.
Shortcodes and markup removed; paragraphs kept apart.
Hidden on drafts, private and password-protected posts.
Style: typography, colour, surface, icon.
06 / Choose the right approach
Post excerpt and Elementor alternatives
Compare the existing Elementor workflow with this Complementor module before choosing your setup.
Typing a summary
Typed summaries are the same on every post. This shows each post's own.
Elementor Pro Post Excerpt
Pro includes a post excerpt widget. This one works with the free version of Elementor.
07 / Requirements and compatibility
Post excerpt compatibility with Elementor
- Requires Elementor.
- Public posts only.
- Plain text summary.
Complementor uses classic Elementor APIs. Atomic-native controls are not implemented. Check your theme, cache and integrations on a staging site before release.
08 / Common setup problems
Troubleshoot post excerpt
Check these settings if the published page behaves differently from the editor.
Why is nothing shown?
The post has no excerpt and the content summary is off, or the post is not public. Set Text when source is empty to show something there.
Why is my saved excerpt not shortened?
Saved excerpts are shown as written. Turn on Also trim a saved excerpt.
Why does the summary include button text?
On posts built with Elementor the content includes other widgets' visible text. Write a saved excerpt to control it.
Why does it end with an ellipsis?
The summary was cut at the word limit.
Post excerpt plugin questions
Does it need Elementor Pro?
No. It works with the free version of Elementor.
Where do I write an excerpt?
In the post editor's Excerpt panel.
Are shortcodes shown?
No. Shortcodes and HTML are removed from generated summaries.
Is it accessible?
Yes. It is plain text in the tag you choose.
Does it add JavaScript?
No. It is plain HTML and CSS.
10 / Annual All Access subscription
Get post excerpt with Complementor
This module is included with all 1007 current Complementor solutions. Choose your production website allowance; every plan includes the same modules.
One website
$29USD / year
- All 1007 current modules
- Plugin downloads and updates for one year
- New releases during the paid term
- Product support
Renews at $29 USD each year.
A few websites
$49USD / year
- All 1007 current modules
- Plugin downloads and updates for one year
- New releases during the paid term
- Product support
Renews at $49 USD each year.
More websites
$99USD / year
- All 1007 current modules
- Plugin downloads and updates for one year
- New releases during the paid term
- Product support
Renews at $99 USD each year.
Applicable taxes extra. Annual subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled in your customer account. Elementor Pro is required for Exclude current post. Read the terms and 14-day technical-issue refund policy.