How to use manage_posts_extra_tablenav action in WordPress

Ever wondered how to add extra functionality to your WordPress posts list table? Let me introduce you to the manage_posts_extra_tablenav action. This hook allows you to inject custom code right after the ‘actions’ div in the tablenav. It’s a handy tool for developers looking to enhance the backend interface without altering the core files.

To get started with the manage_posts_extra_tablenav action, you’ll first need to register it using add_action. You can add this to your theme’s functions.php file or, even better, create a custom WordPress Plugin. At WePlugins, we always recommend creating a plugin to preserve your customizations during theme updates. Let’s dive into some live examples to see this hook in action!

Example 1: Adding a Custom Button to the Post Table

Here’s how you can add a custom button to the posts table using the manage_posts_extra_tablenav action. This example shows you how to hook into the action and add your own markup.

    function weplugins_add_custom_button($which) {
        if ( 'top' === $which ) {
            echo '<button class="button">Custom Button</button>';
        }
    }
    add_action( 'manage_posts_extra_tablenav', 'weplugins_add_custom_button', 10, 1 );
    

Example 2: Displaying a Custom Message

Want to display a custom message on the posts list table? This example demonstrates how to do just that by hooking into the manage_posts_extra_tablenav action.

    function weplugins_display_custom_message($which) {
        if ( 'bottom' === $which ) {
            echo '<div class="notice notice-success">This is a custom message!</div>';
        }
    }
    add_action( 'manage_posts_extra_tablenav', 'weplugins_display_custom_message', 10, 1 );
    

Example 3: Adding a Filter Dropdown

Need to add a filter dropdown to the posts table? This example illustrates how you can add a custom filter using the manage_posts_extra_tablenav action.

    function weplugins_add_filter_dropdown($which) {
        if ( 'top' === $which ) {
            echo '<select name="custom_filter">';
            echo '<option value="">Select a filter</option>';
            echo '<option value="filter1">Filter 1</option>';
            echo '<option value="filter2">Filter 2</option>';
            echo '</select>';
        }
    }
    add_action( 'manage_posts_extra_tablenav', 'weplugins_add_filter_dropdown', 10, 1 );
    

Remember, if you need to remove a registered hook, you can use remove_action to unhook your function.

If you need any customization or face challenges using this hook, feel free to Contact Us. We’re here to help you enhance your WordPress experience!