How to use default_hidden_meta_boxes filter in WordPress

default_hidden_meta_boxes filter

Filters the default list of hidden meta boxes.

To use default_hidden_meta_boxes filter, first you have to register it using add_filter. You can write this code into functions.php of your activated theme or in a custom WordPress Plugin.

We at Flipper Code, always prefer to create a custom WordPress Plugin while using hooks so nothing breaks when you update your WordPress Theme in the future.

In the below live example, we have defined a function modify_default_hidden_meta_boxes_defaults which takes 2 parameters and we registered using add_filter. The first parameter default_hidden_meta_boxes is name of the hook, The second parameter modify_default_hidden_meta_boxes_defaults is name of the function which need to be called, third parameter is the priority of calling the hook if same hook is used multiple times and the last parameter is the number of arguments (if any) to be passed in the registered function.

Sometime, you have to remove a registered hook so you can use remove_filter to remove default_hidden_meta_boxes filter.

Parameters

Below are the 2 parameters are required to use this hook.

• $hidden : (string[]) An array of IDs of meta boxes hidden by default.
• $screen : (WP_Screen) WP_Screen object of the current screen.

Live Example

add_filter('default_hidden_meta_boxes','hide_meta_box',10,2);
function hide_meta_box($hidden, $screen) {
    //make sure we are dealing with the correct screen
    if ( ('post' == $screen->base) && ('my-custom-post_type' == $screen->id) ){
      //lets hide everything
      $hidden = array('postexcerpt','slugdiv','postcustom','trackbacksdiv', 'commentstatusdiv', 'commentsdiv', 'authordiv', 'revisionsdiv');
      $hidden[] ='my_custom_meta_box';//for custom meta box, enter the id used in the add_meta_box() function.
    }
    return $hidden;
  }

Below is an example how you can use this hook.

                        function modify_default_hidden_meta_boxes_defaults($hidden, $screen) { 
   
                            // Update the $hidden variable according to your website requirements and return this variable. You can modify the $hidden variable conditionally too if you want.

                            return $hidden; 
                        }
                        // add the filter
                        add_filter( "default_hidden_meta_boxes", "modify_default_hidden_meta_boxes_defaults", 10, 2 );

To remove a hook callback, use the example below.

remove_filter( "default_hidden_meta_boxes", "modify_default_hidden_meta_boxes_defaults", 10, 2 );

Please make sure provide the same callback function name, priority and number of arguments while removing the hook callback.

Flipper Code is a Premium WordPress Plugins development company and integrating new functionalites into WordPress sites in form of custom WordPress Plugins since 2012. If you’re having any trouble using this hook, please contact our WordPress Development Team and we’d be happy to assist you.