About the Custom CSS Upgrade
Here are some answers to common questions about the Custom CSS Upgrade.
What is the Custom CSS Upgrade?
The Custom CSS Upgrade allows you to use your own CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) to customize the appearance of your blog. CSS lets you change fonts, colors, borders, backgrounds, and even the layout of the page.
Please note that CSS can be a fairly tricky technical job. The upgrade will allow you to use a custom CSS stylesheet, but making it look the way you want is up to you!
Does the CSS upgrade let me edit HTML?
No. The CSS Upgrade is strictly CSS only. You can change the appearance of a page, but not its HTML markup or content.
You can choose to apply your custom stylesheet to any of the themes available on WordPress.com. The Sandbox theme offers flexible and semantic HTML that’s ideal for use with a custom CSS upgrade.
Does the CSS upgrade let me upload my own theme?
Not exactly. You can use the CSS upgrade with a “Skin” for the Sandbox theme, since these are normally CSS stylesheets.
You can’t upload themes made of PHP or HTML files (which means most WordPress themes). This is for security and compatibility reasons. The only exceptions are for VIP hosting customers.
Can I use the CSS upgrade to make minor visual changes to an existing theme?
Yes (within the limits of CSS, and your skill as a CSS designer of course). You can choose to apply your CSS to an existing theme in addition to the standard stylesheet used by that theme. This makes it possible to make minor changes (such as color and font changes) with just a few lines of CSS.
Can I use the CSS upgrade to make major changes to my blog’s layout?
Probably - it depends on what you’re trying to do, how capable you are at writing CSS, and how flexible you are about your methods. You can choose to apply your custom CSS to any theme in addition to or instead of the standard stylesheet for that theme. There are more than 50 themes to choose from, which provide various types of basic HTML structure and layout for you to start with. The Sandbox theme in particular can be rearranged into many types of 1, 2 and 3 column layouts.
If you’re not sure whether or not an existing stylesheet or CSS technique will work with a particular theme, you can use the CSS Preview function to try it out before upgrading - see the next question.
I’m not sure if the CSS upgrade is for me. Can I try before I buy?
Yes! Visit the Presentation / Custom CSS tab on your dashboard. You can write or paste your own CSS stylesheet into the text box provided, and use the Preview button to see how it will look with your currently selected theme. The CSS changes you try with the Preview function are only visible to you, so you can test and edit to your heart’s content.
We highly recommend using the Preview function to try your stylesheet and CSS techniques before deciding whether or not to upgrade.
If you’d like to preview your custom CSS with a different theme, but without changing the appearance of your live blog, you can register a second blog and use it for testing. Just make sure you choose the right blog if you decide to upgrade!
I purchased the CSS upgrade and changed my mind. Can I get a refund?
We generally don’t provide refunds. Please use the Preview function to try your custom CSS before purchasing the upgrade.
Is my custom CSS stylesheet used instead of, or in addition to, my theme’s standard stylesheet?
Either, it’s up to you. There are two options available on the Edit CSS tab:
- Add to existing CSS - this will load the theme’s standard stylesheet first, then apply your custom CSS rules afterwards. Start with this option if you just want to make some minor adjustments to a theme, such as changing the text or background color.
- Start from scratch and just use this - the theme’s standard stylesheet won’t be loaded at all. Start with this option if you want to design everything yourself.
I’m having trouble getting my CSS to look the way I want. Can you help?
We don’t provide training or technical help with writing or debugging CSS. You’ll find some helpful resources for learning about CSS in this FAQ entry. There is also a Custom CSS Forum where you can discuss problems and share tips with other WordPress.com CSS users.
How do I upload images for use with my CSS?
You can upload an image as an attachment to any Post or Page, then refer to it by its direct URL from within your CSS stylesheet. You’ll find the direct URL of each image on your Manage/Uploads tab. Here’s a simple example of how to use a background image in your stylesheet:
div#content {
background-image: url(http://example.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/example.jpg);
}
