Turning Product Descriptions into a Collapsible Mystery: A Journey with the Sense Theme

Knock, knock—who's there? It's the tangled web of product descriptions! Let's saunter down memory lane for a moment: remember when you desperately tried to collapse that gigantic product paragraph but ended up collapsing something else entirely—like your confidence? Oh, I certainly do. I had a cat perched on my keyboard once, contributing more "code" than I'd care to admit, and the endless scroll of text was like an avalanche, merciless and unending. The Sense theme was supposed to be our savior, right? But here we are, yearning for a collapsible tale rather than an epic saga, which is precisely why we’re embarking on this coding escapade together.

The Collapsible Quest Begins

Come gather ’round and let’s discuss how we can turn our lengthy product stories into neat little collapsible nuggets. Picture this: your website isn’t just a marketplace, but a treasure trove with secrets waiting to be discovered. Let’s walk the plank—only metaphorically, fret not—and dive directly into making these descriptions as foldable as laundry.

Step 1: Back-Up Like a Pro

Before we get our hands dirty in code—ah, the primal excitement—you should always back up your stuff. Imagine this step as your waterproof mascara on a teary day. Navigate to your Shopify admin, click on 'Online Store,' then 'Themes.' After that, find 'Actions' and click 'Duplicate.' Voila, safe and sound.

Step 2: Locate the main-product.liquid

We’re on a treasure hunt, but less pirate, more tech-savvy. In your theme’s code editor—navigate from 'Online Store,’ ‘Themes,’ then ‘Actions,’ select ‘Edit code’—find the main-product.liquid file under the ‘Sections’ directory. Consider this file your blank canvas. Ready for a splash of code color?

Step 3: Add the Collapsible Code

Here comes the exhilarating part, like opening a long-overdue letter. Insert a dose of creativity, and by that, I mean the following code snippet, just above or below your existing product description code block—wherever it makes sense visually for you:

<div class="collapsible-container">
  <button type="button" class="collapsible-button">Product Description</button>
  <div class="collapsible-content" style="display: none;">
    {{ product.description | strip_html }}
  </div>
</div>

<script>
  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
    var coll = document.getElementsByClassName('collapsible-button')
    var i

    for (i = 0; i < coll.length; i++) {
      coll[i].addEventListener('click', function () {
        this.classList.toggle('active')
        var content = this.nextElementSibling
        if (content.style.display === 'block') {
          content.style.display = 'none'
        } else {
          content.style.display = 'block'
        }
      })
    }
  })
</script>

<style>
  .collapsible-button {
    background-color: #f1f1f1;
    color: #444;
    cursor: pointer;
    padding: 10px;
    width: 100%;
    border: none;
    text-align: left;
    outline: none;
    font-size: 15px;
  }

  .collapsible-content {
    padding: 0 18px;
    display: none;
    overflow: hidden;
    background-color: #f9f9f9;
  }
</style>

Step 4: Set Up Default State

Like any good narration, we begin in medias res—choose whether you want the description to first appear open or mysterious and closed. If you fancy a peek-show of description automatically, swap display: none; with display: block; in your CSS. We’re not just coders; we’re setting the stage for a dazzling performance.

Step 5: Preview and Tweak

Now, let’s take a step back. Like an artist admiring a freshly carved marble statue, preview your creation. Head to your Shopify admin and click on 'Customize' under your themes. Check to see the collapsible description in action. A hiccup here and there? It’s all part of the learning. Adjust your code as needed—you’re not just a programmer now; you’re an architect of intrigue.

The Joy of Collapsible Adventures

Finally, our voyage ends not with a whimper but a shout—or perhaps the quiet satisfaction of a job well done. The collapsible descriptions now lure the curious with their hidden tales, a siren song to those who browse your aisles. Who knew product descriptions could be the secretive scrolls of old?

Let’s raise a proverbial glass to this little triumph. The web isn’t just a place to buy and sell; it’s where creativity and innovation tango. So, until next time amidst the vast oceans of code—sail forth, intrepid browser of bytes.