What Are Admin Columns in WordPress?
Admin Columns is a plugin for WordPress that facilitates the customization and organization of administration screens. Users can modify columns related to posts, users, comments, media, and taxonomy lists. This process is simplified through a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to add, remove, and reorder columns.
Supported Content Types
Admin Columns support a variety of content types. These include posts and custom post types, pages, media, comments, users, and taxonomies. The customization of taxonomies, however, is only available in the Pro version.
By offering these options, users have the flexibility to tailor their administrative screens to fit unique needs.
Column Types
The plugin offers more than 200 types of columns. A notable feature is the inclusion of custom fields for posts and users, which enhances content management flexibility. Other available columns include featured images, custom taxonomies, and EXIF data for media files.
When integrated with WooCommerce, Admin Columns can also provide columns that contain product and order information. Furthermore, integrations with Advanced Custom Fields and Yoast SEO enhance functionality by allowing even more specialized columns.
Advanced Features (Admin Columns Pro)
The Pro version of Admin Columns introduces advanced features for enhanced efficiency. One feature is sorting and filtering columns, which aids in content organization. Users receive opportunities for direct editing of column content, such as titles and featured images, directly on the overview screen.
Additional functionalities include the exportation of column content to CSV format and bulk editing capabilities. The Pro version also includes enhanced integration possibilities with third-party plugins such as WooCommerce, Advanced Custom Fields, and Yoast SEO.
Filtering
Admin Columns Pro includes filtering tools that streamline content management. These tools enable users to filter by specific values, use combined filters, and implement range filtering for dates and numbers.
An example of a practical application would be filtering content to identify posts that do not include featured images or are missing assigned categories.
Sorting
The plugin provides functionality to make custom columns sortable. Users can sort columns in various manners, such as by price or date for posts. This function facilitates more efficient content organization and allows for swift identification of specific posts, they are the latest or lowest in price.
Inline Editing and Bulk Editing
Admin Columns Pro includes features for inline editing and bulk editing of content. Through inline editing, users can modify content directly from the overview screen, removing the need to access individual posts.
Bulk editing capabilities offer further efficiency by enabling concurrent updates to multiple pieces of content. These features enhance the user experience by reducing time spent on administrative tasks.
Export Options
Exportation of content in CSV format is another feature available in Admin Columns Pro. After sorting and filtering content within the WordPress dashboard, users can export their data.
This option is applicable to all overview screens, thereby simplifying the process of managing and analyzing content outside the WordPress environment.
Integration with Other Plugins
Admin Columns seamlessly integrate with various third-party plugins, including WooCommerce, Advanced Custom Fields, and Yoast SEO. These integrations offer additional data management features, such as the display and bulk editing of custom fields and other relevant data.
Seamless compatibility with these plugins ensures a streamlined experience for users managing comprehensive content across numerous platforms.
Practical Use Cases
Admin Columns can serve multiple administrative purposes within WordPress. For example, on a large-scale technology blog, users can establish a column set to include excerpts, SEO descriptions, categories, featured images, and word count.
This setup enables easy filtering and sorting, aiding in the efficient identification of posts that may require modifications. The ability to customize and manage content columns in such a manner emphasizes the adaptability and functionality of the Admin Columns plugin.