Plugin Documentation

📦 Installation

Installing Smart CSV Pro is as simple as any other WordPress plugin. Follow these steps:

Method 1: WordPress Admin Upload

1. Download the plugin ZIP file from the Download page
2. Log in to your WordPress admin panel
3. Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
4. Click "Choose File" and select the downloaded smart-csv-pro.zip
5. Click Install Now
6. Click Activate Plugin

Method 2: FTP Upload

1. Extract the ZIP file on your computer
2. Upload the smart-csv-pro folder to /wp-content/plugins/ via FTP
3. Go to your WordPress admin → Plugins and activate Smart CSV Pro

🔑 Activation

After installing, the plugin creates the required database tables automatically. You'll see a new "Smart CSV Pro" menu item in your WordPress admin sidebar.

No license key is required — the plugin activates instantly and is ready to use.

⚙️ Configuration

Navigate to Smart CSV Pro → Settings in your WordPress admin to configure:

• Verification Form Title — The heading shown above the search box
• Placeholder Text — Search box placeholder message
• Result Display Mode — Card, Compact, or Detailed view
• Date Format — How dates are displayed on certificates
• Enable QR Codes — Toggle QR code generation on/off

📋 Importing Certificates

Go to Smart CSV Pro → Import and upload your CSV file. Your CSV should have these columns:

certificate_id,student_name,course_name,issue_date,expiry_date
CERT-001,John Smith,Web Development,2024-01-15,2027-01-15
CERT-002,Jane Doe,Data Science,2024-02-20,2027-02-20

Required columns: certificate_id, student_name
Optional columns: course_name, issue_date, expiry_date, grade, instructor

📝 Using the Shortcode

Add the verification form to any page or post using the shortcode:

[smart_csv_verify]

Optional parameters:

[smart_csv_verify title="Verify Your Certificate" placeholder="Enter Certificate ID" theme="dark"]

📱 QR Code Feature

When QR codes are enabled, each certificate automatically gets a unique QR code that links to its verification page. You can:

• Download individual QR codes as PNG images
• Bulk export QR codes as a ZIP file
• Print QR codes directly on physical certificates

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smart CSV Pro really free?

Yes! Smart CSV Pro is 100% free with no feature limits. Download and use it on unlimited WordPress sites.

How many certificates can I store?

There is no built-in limit. Performance is optimized for millions of records. Your server's database storage is the only practical limit.

Does it work with Elementor/Gutenberg?

Yes. You can embed the shortcode in any Elementor shortcode widget or Gutenberg shortcode block.

Is student data secure?

Yes. All data is stored in your own WordPress database. We never collect or transmit any data to external servers.

🔧 Troubleshooting

The shortcode shows a blank page

Try going to Settings → Permalinks in WordPress and clicking "Save Changes" to flush rewrite rules.

CSV import fails

Ensure your CSV uses UTF-8 encoding (not UTF-16) and that the first row contains the column headers exactly as documented above.

QR codes not generating

Make sure your server's GD or Imagick PHP extension is enabled. Check with your hosting provider if unsure.