Free WordPress Plugin · Version 2.1.0

DIRSCHL Multi Gallery

Transform a media folder into a fast, responsive, and search engine-friendly image gallery.

Select a folder from Happy Files or Real Media Library. The plugin automatically generates a Justified, Grid, or Masonry gallery with a lightbox, clean image markup, and responsive image sizes. New images added to the folder will appear in the gallery without needing to be re-assembled.

No license key, no user account, and no locked features.

Download Free Plugin Get Started in 5 Minutes View Live Gallery

From Media Folder to Finished Gallery

Less Maintenance, Better Presentation

DIRSCHL Multi Gallery uses your existing media organization as its source. You manage images and metadata where they belong – in the WordPress Media Library. The plugin handles the display, lightbox, and technical output.

A Folder is the Source

No need to re-select individual images. A shortcode connects the page to a Happy Files or Real Media Library folder.

Three Responsive Layouts

Justified for elegant image rows, Grid for a consistent layout, and Masonry for varying image heights. Desktop, tablet, and mobile views can be controlled separately.

Built-in SEO and Performance

Images and links are already present in the server-side HTML. Responsive sizes, dimensions, lazy loading, and LCP prioritization reduce unnecessary load.

The Fastest Way to Your First Gallery

Ready in Five Minutes

Install Plugin: Download ZIP 2.1.0, then go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, select the file, and activate it. Alternatively, DIRSCHL Hub handles installation and updates.
Create Image Folder: In Happy Files or Real Media Library, create a folder and add the desired images.
Get Folder ID: Use the numeric ID of the selected folder. Depending on the folder plugin, it can be found in the folder link, browser URL, or folder dialog.
Insert Shortcode: In Divi, use a Code or Text module; in the Block Editor, use a Shortcode block. Replace the example ID 48 with your actual folder ID.

That's all you need for your first gallery. Layout, spacing, lightbox, and captions are initially configured in Settings → DIRSCHL Multi Gallery. Shortcode attributes are only required if a specific gallery needs to deviate from these settings.

[dirschl_multi_gallery happyfiles_id="48"]

Specify the Image Source Correctly

For each gallery, use exactly one source. Numeric IDs are unique and therefore the best choice. If no valid folder is specified, the plugin will intentionally not load the entire Media Library.

Happy Files

happyfiles_id expects the numeric term ID of the Happy Files folder.

Recommended:

[dirschl_multi_gallery happyfiles_id="48"]

Real Media Library

folder_id expects the numeric RML folder ID. Alternatively, folder_path for an absolute RML path or folder for an exact folder name are possible.

Recommended:

[dirschl_multi_gallery folder_id="12"]

The right behavior for each image series

Layouts with Complete Examples

The following examples can be copied directly. Simply replace the example ID. The plugin will use global settings for any unspecified values.

Justified

Flexible image widths, rows of equal height. Ideal for photography and mixed portrait and landscape formats. row_height is the target height; cols, cols_md, and cols_sm limit the number of images per row.

[dirschl_multi_gallery happyfiles_id="48" layout="justified" row_height="220" gutter="2" cols="5" cols_md="3" cols_sm="2"]

Grid

A consistent grid with a fixed aspect ratio. aspect controls the cropping; cols, cols_md, and cols_sm define the columns for desktop, tablet, and mobile.

[dirschl_multi_gallery happyfiles_id="48" layout="grid" cols="5" cols_md="3" cols_sm="2" aspect="2:3" gutter="2"]

Masonry

Columns with natural image height – useful when portrait and landscape formats should flow together without cropping. The three cols values control the number of columns.

[dirschl_multi_gallery happyfiles_id="48" layout="masonry" cols="4" cols_md="2" cols_sm="1" gutter="12"]

Key Shortcode Recipes

Sort Filenames in Ascending Order

orderby allows filename, title, date, or id; order is ASC or DESC. An explicitly set sort order takes precedence over a saved drag-and-drop order.

[dirschl_multi_gallery happyfiles_id="48" orderby="filename" order="ASC"]

Texts Below Images and in the Lightbox

For each of the four text lines, title, caption, alt, description, or an empty value are possible. This keeps alt text and visible captions clearly separated.

[dirschl_multi_gallery happyfiles_id="48" thumb_line1="title" thumb_line2="caption" lb_line1="alt" lb_line2="description" lightbox="1"]

Save Order Directly in the Gallery

With reorder="1", only administrators or users with page editing rights can arrange images via drag-and-drop. Visitors will see the saved order but cannot change it. Omit orderby for the manual order to be used.

[dirschl_multi_gallery happyfiles_id="48" reorder="1"]

All Shortcode Attributes at a Glance

Practical Rule: Start with the source only. Then, add only the options that should differ for this gallery compared to the global settings.

Attribute	Allowed Values	Effect
`happyfiles_id`	Number	Unique ID of a Happy Files folder.
`folder_id`	Number	Unique ID of a Real Media Library folder.
`folder`	Folder Name	Searches for an exact folder name; an ID is safer for identical names.
`folder_path`	Absolute RML Path	Selects a Real Media Library folder via its full path.
`layout`	`justified`, `grid`, `masonry`	Determines the gallery layout.
`row_height`	from 80	Target height of rows in justified layout; default 220 px.
`gutter`	0 or more	Spacing between images in pixels.
`cols` / `cols_md` / `cols_sm`	from 1	Number of columns in Grid/Masonry; maximum number of images per row in Justified.
`aspect`	e.g. `2:3` or `1:1`	Aspect ratio of thumbnails in the grid.
`justify_last_row`	`0` or `1`	or `1` Stretches when
`orderby`	`filename`, `title`, `date`, `id`	Sort criterion; overrides the manually saved order.
`order`	`ASC` or `DESC`	Sort direction; default is ascending.
`lightbox`	`0` or `1`	Turns the lightbox off or on.
`slideshow_height`	from 200	Height of the image area in the lightbox in pixels; default 820.
`thumb_line1` / `thumb_line2`	Meta field or empty	First and second visible text line below the thumbnail.
`lb_line1` / `lb_line2`	Meta field or empty	First and second text line in the lightbox.
`reorder`	`0` or `1`	Activates drag-and-drop only for authorized editors.
`above_fold_eager`	0 or more	Loads the first N images without lazy loading; default 4.
`attach`	`none`, `current`, `post:123`, `shadow:123`	Advanced media assignment to a post; write access only for authorized users.
`thumb_target`	from 240	Target width of the thumbnail source; default 480 px.
`hydrate`	`0` or `1`	Controls client-side processing; for normal galleries, leave at `1` set.
`thumbs_css`	`0` or `1`	Advanced CSS thumbnail variant; usually not necessary.

Visible to people and search engines

The gallery is available without JavaScript

All images are rendered server-side with clickable attachment links. WordPress provides suitable srcset variants, width, and height. The first images can be prioritized for the visible viewport; subsequent images use native lazy loading.

Clean Image Markup

Image URLs, links, dimensions, and metadata are already present in the HTML – instead of being generated only after a JavaScript call.

Attachment Pages

The plugin includes its own template and JSON-LD for image attachment pages. No theme file needs to be added for this.

Rank Math and Divi

Gallery images can be assigned to the image sitemaps of their parent pages – including in Divi content and projects. max-image-preview:large can be optionally activated.

Global Settings Instead of Long Shortcodes

Under Settings → DIRSCHL Multi Gallery, you centrally define the default layout, row height, spacing, column counts, grid aspect ratio, lightbox height, and visible media fields once. Each gallery automatically adopts these values.

A shortcode attribute only overrides the corresponding default for that specific gallery. This keeps shortcodes short, readable, and easy to change later.

Note on attach: Media assignment can change an image's WordPress parent post. Use this advanced feature only intentionally. It is not required for simple gallery display.

Install for Free and Keep Up-to-Date

Current Version 2.1.0. The direct ZIP download works without an account or license key. The DIRSCHL Hub can also centrally install, activate, and update the plugin.

Download ZIP.
In WordPress, open Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
Select ZIP, install, and activate DIRSCHL Multi Gallery.
Optionally adjust the default values under Settings → DIRSCHL Multi Gallery.

Download ZIP – Version 2.1.0 View DIRSCHL Hub View Live Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need Happy Files or Real Media Library?

Yes. The plugin uses a folder from one of these two media folder plugins as a clearly defined image source.

Can I Use Multiple Galleries on One Page?

Yes. Insert a shortcode with the respective folder ID for each gallery.

Who Can Order Images via Drag-and-Drop?

Only logged-in users with administration or editing rights for the page. Visitors do not have write access.

What Happens if the Folder ID is Incorrect?

The gallery remains empty. For security and performance reasons, the entire media library is never loaded as a substitute.

Add a Gallery – or Customize and Extend It

For most websites, the existing layouts and shortcodes are sufficient. If you need a custom gallery design, an import workflow, or a project-specific WordPress integration, we develop the extension to suit your website.

Download Multi Gallery for free Custom Plugin Development Ask a Question