Using WordPress ‘list_table_primary_column’ PHP filter

by

The list_table_primary_column WordPress PHP Filter allows you to change the primary column for a specific list table in the WordPress admin area.

Usage

add_filter('list_table_primary_column', 'your_custom_function', 10, 2);

function your_custom_function($default, $context) {
    // your custom code here
    return $default;
}

Parameters

  • $default (string) – The default column name for the specific list table, e.g. ‘name’.
  • $context (string) – The screen ID for a specific list table, e.g. ‘plugins’.

More information

See WordPress Developer Resources: list_table_primary_column

Examples

Change the primary column for plugins list table

This example sets the ‘Description’ column as the primary column for the plugins list table.

add_filter('list_table_primary_column', 'change_plugins_primary_column', 10, 2);

function change_plugins_primary_column($default, $context) {
    if ($context === 'plugins') {
        return 'description';
    }
    return $default;
}

Change the primary column for posts list table

Set the ‘Author’ column as the primary column for the posts list table.

add_filter('list_table_primary_column', 'change_posts_primary_column', 10, 2);

function change_posts_primary_column($default, $context) {
    if ($context === 'edit-post') {
        return 'author';
    }
    return $default;
}

Change the primary column for pages list table

Make the ‘Date’ column the primary column for the pages list table.

add_filter('list_table_primary_column', 'change_pages_primary_column', 10, 2);

function change_pages_primary_column($default, $context) {
    if ($context === 'edit-page') {
        return 'date';
    }
    return $default;
}

Change the primary column for comments list table

Set the ‘In Response To’ column as the primary column for the comments list table.

add_filter('list_table_primary_column', 'change_comments_primary_column', 10, 2);

function change_comments_primary_column($default, $context) {
    if ($context === 'edit-comments') {
        return 'response';
    }
    return $default;
}

Change the primary column for users list table

Make the ‘Email’ column the primary column for the users list table.

add_filter('list_table_primary_column', 'change_users_primary_column', 10, 2);

function change_users_primary_column($default, $context) {
    if ($context === 'users') {
        return 'email';
    }
    return $default;
}