Cannot change excerpt_length using codex example

[jsherk]

Putting this code below (per codex) in the themes functions.php file does not make any difference to excerpt length (stays at 55 no matter what):
function new_excerpt_length($length) {

return 20;

}
add_filter('excerpt_length', 'new_excerpt_length');

Looking at the changes made in formatting.php, this line:
$excerpt_length = apply_filters('excerpt_length', 55);
appears that it will ALWAYS return 55 no matter what you set your add_filter too... this line is essentially the same as:
$excerpt_length = 55;
so you cannot modify it even with an add_filter call.

[sorich87]

I am using the codex code on this blog : ​http://massolog.com/ (wp 2.8.4). And it works.

[jorisw]

I am having the same problem as the OP under WordPress 3.0.1.

[jorisw]

Looks like I needed to add a low priority to the filter:

function new_excerpt_length($length) {
	return 100;
}
add_filter('excerpt_length', 'new_excerpt_length', 999);

That works.