WPMazic WPMazic

Admin Columns

Product: Admin Framework Pro

The Admin Columns module lets you add custom columns to WordPress admin list tables for posts, pages, custom post types, media, users, and comments. Display custom fields, IDs, thumbnails, or taxonomy terms directly in the admin—making content management faster and more efficient.

How to use

To enable the Admin Columns module:

  1. Click on the “Admin Tools” category
  2. Search or scroll to locate the Admin Columns module
  3. Click on the switch to enable

Then open the module to configure columns for your content types.

What’s next?

Use this module to add custom columns to WordPress admin list tables for:

  • Posts, pages, and public custom post types
  • Media (Library)
  • Users
  • Comments

You can display values from custom fields (post/user meta) and common defaults. Columns appear in the corresponding admin lists.

1. Configure columns

  1. Open the module’s “Admin Columns” tab (Settings)
  2. Choose a Content Type from the dropdown:
    • Any public post type (including Media/Attachments)
    • Users
    • Comments
  3. Add one or more column items in the “Columns” group for the selected content type:
    • Column Title: The column header text
    • Data Source: Select the data source for this column
      • Custom Field (Meta)
    • Meta Key (when Data Source = Custom Field): Choose the meta key to show
  4. Reorder columns by dragging items in the list (top to bottom reflects left to right)
  5. Save settings

Notes:

  • For Media, the content type uses “Attachments”
  • Some default WordPress columns remain; this module adds your custom ones alongside

Best Practices

  • Keep column titles short for readability
  • Only add essential columns; too many can slow list screens and clutter the UI
  • Prefer simple values in columns (e.g., short text, numbers) for scannability

Troubleshooting

  • Column not showing:
    • Ensure you selected the correct Content Type and saved
    • In the target screen, open “Screen Options” to confirm the column is enabled
  • Blank values:
    • Verify the chosen meta key exists on the items and has data
  • Layout issues:
    • Reduce the number of columns or shorten titles

Compatibility & Notes

  • Works on standard WordPress admin tables:
    • Posts/Pages/Custom post types
    • Media Library
    • Users
    • Comments
  • Can display taxonomy terms, thumbnails, or post IDs when configured via defaults or custom handling
  • Styles are applied to keep columns readable in list tables

Developer hooks

  • Filters:
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/columns — modify columns for a post type
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/user_columns — modify columns for the Users table
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/extra_columns — add extra columns metadata
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/available_post_types — control which post types are available
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/all_available_columns — list all available columns for a content type
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/wordpress_default_columns — filter the WordPress default columns map
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/media_columns — filter Media columns
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/comment_columns — filter Comment columns
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/sortable_columns — mark columns sortable
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/sort_vars — adjust request vars for sorting
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/pre_handle_column — short-circuit post/media column handling
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/pre_handle_user_column — short-circuit user column handling
  • Actions:
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/handle_column — render post-type column content
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/handle_media_column — render media column content
    • WPMazic/admin-columns/handle_user_column — render user column content

This module is perfect for:

  • Surfacing key meta fields in list tables
  • Improving editorial workflows with at-a-glance data
  • Extending Users/Media/Comments screens with custom business fields