Using WordPress ‘map_meta_cap()’ PHP function

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The map_meta_cap() WordPress PHP function maps a capability to the primitive capabilities required for a given user to satisfy the capability being checked.

Usage

map_meta_cap( 'edit_posts', $user->ID );
map_meta_cap( 'edit_post', $user->ID, $post->ID );
map_meta_cap( 'edit_post_meta', $user->ID, $post->ID, $meta_key );

Parameters

  • $cap (string) – Required. Capability being checked.
  • $user_id (int) – Required. User ID.
  • $args (mixed) – Optional. Further parameters, typically starting with an object ID.

More information

See WordPress Developer Resources: map_meta_cap

Examples

Check if the user can edit posts

$required_caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_posts', $user->ID );

foreach ( $required_caps as $cap ) {
    if ( ! user_can( $user->ID, $cap ) ) {
        echo "User cannot edit posts.";
        break;
    }
}

Check if the user can edit a specific post

$required_caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_post', $user->ID, $post->ID );

foreach ( $required_caps as $cap ) {
    if ( ! user_can( $user->ID, $cap ) ) {
        echo "User cannot edit this post.";
        break;
    }
}

Check if the user can edit a specific post’s meta

$required_caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_post_meta', $user->ID, $post->ID, $meta_key );

foreach ( $required_caps as $cap ) {
    if ( ! user_can( $user->ID, $cap ) ) {
        echo "User cannot edit this post's meta.";
        break;
    }
}

Check if the user can delete a specific post

$required_caps = map_meta_cap( 'delete_post', $user->ID, $post->ID );

foreach ( $required_caps as $cap ) {
    if ( ! user_can( $user->ID, $cap ) ) {
        echo "User cannot delete this post.";
        break;
    }
}

Check if the user can publish a specific post

$required_caps = map_meta_cap( 'publish_post', $user->ID, $post->ID );

foreach ( $required_caps as $cap ) {
    if ( ! user_can( $user->ID, $cap ) ) {
        echo "User cannot publish this post.";
        break;
    }
}