How to Add Prettify Syntax Highlighting in Blogger

Ajay Kumar
25 Nov, 2024

How Can I Use Prettify with Blogger/BlogSpot?

Prettify with Blogger Screenshot

Are you tired of your code snippets looking plain and boring on your Blogger (BlogSpot) site? Say hello to Prettify! This tool makes your code snippets look professional and easy to read with syntax highlighting.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to use Prettify with Blogger in a simple and easy way. Even if you’re not a tech expert, this guide is for you!

What is Prettify?

Prettify is an open-source code syntax highlighter. It automatically detects the programming language of your code and applies color-coded styles to make it more readable. Whether you're sharing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or any other language, Prettify adds a touch of professionalism to your blog posts.

Why Use Prettify in Blogger?

Blogger is a powerful blogging platform, but it doesn’t come with built-in syntax highlighting. Using Prettify can:

  • Make your code snippets visually appealing and easy to understand.
  • Enhance readability for your readers, especially those learning to code.
  • Give your blog a professional look, increasing its credibility.

How to Use Prettify with Blogger

Using Prettify with Blogger is straightforward. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Add Prettify to Your Blogger Theme

  1. Open Theme Editor: Go to your Blogger dashboard, click on Theme, and then select Edit HTML.
  2. Insert Prettify Scripts: Add the following code inside the <head> section of your template: 
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/google/code-prettify@master/loader/prettify.css">
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/google/code-prettify@master/loader/prettify.js"></script>
  3. Save Changes: Once added, click on the Save button to update your theme.

Step 2: Format Your Code Snippets

  1. Switch to HTML View: In the Blogger post editor, switch to the HTML view.
  2. Add Prettify Classes: Wrap your code in a <pre> tag and add the prettyprint class. For example: 
    <pre class="prettyprint">
  <code>
    // Your code here
    console.log("Hello, Blogger!");
  </code>
</pre>
  3. Publish Your Post: Save and publish your post. Your code snippets will now look beautiful with syntax highlighting.

Step 3: Test and Customize

  1. Test Your Blog: Visit your blog and check if the code snippets are displayed correctly with syntax highlighting.
  2. Customize Styles: If you want to tweak the appearance, you can add custom CSS to your Blogger theme to override Prettify’s default styles.

Tips for Using Prettify

Use Short Code Blocks: Keep your code snippets concise for better readability.
Choose the Right Theme: Customize Prettify’s styles to match your blog’s theme for a consistent look.
Test on Mobile: Ensure that the code snippets are responsive and look good on mobile devices.
Backup Your Theme: Always back up your Blogger theme before making changes.

Common Issues and Solutions

Here are some common issues you may face and how to resolve them:

  • Code Not Highlighting: Ensure the Prettify scripts are correctly added to your theme and the prettyprint class is used.
  • Text Overlapping: Add custom CSS to fix alignment or spacing issues.
  • Slow Loading: Use a CDN for Prettify to ensure fast script loading.

Final thought

Prettify is a fantastic tool for enhancing the appearance of code snippets on your Blogger site. By following these simple steps, you can make your blog more professional, engaging, and user-friendly.

So, what are you waiting for? Add Prettify to your blog today and impress your readers with beautifully highlighted code snippets. Happy blogging!

Next Post Previous Post
No Comment
Add Comment
comment url