We would like to execute some PHP within a page element that is set up by the visual composer. And have tried a number of things so far that do not work.

I tried using a text element, and and html element.

I used a plugin called "PHP Code for Posts", that allows you to define PHP code and generates a shortcode. The shortcode was only echoed in the html element, but broke the page in the text element.

I used a plugin called "insert PHP". The html element echoed the php code while the text element generated a php error.

Any ideas on what I can try to have some php execute within an element on the page?