Table of contents
Why reorder the admin menu?Using the Admin Menu Editor pluginReordering menu items with custom codeHow this code worksHow to find menu item slugs for custom post typesBest practices for reordering admin menusBonus: create user-specific admin menusNext stepsAdditional resources
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WordPress Guide → Admin → Reorder Positions

WordPress admin menu: how to reorder positions

Your guide to bare metal management best practices.

The WordPress admin menu controls how you navigate your dashboard—but the default order isn’t always ideal. If you manage content daily, handle ecommerce orders, or build sites for clients, rearranging the admin menu can speed things up and reduce clutter.

Let’s walk through how to reorder the admin menu using a plugin or custom code. Both approaches are beginner-friendly, and we’ll explain everything step by step.

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Why reorder the admin menu?

The default menu order in WordPress follows a structure designed for general use, but not everyone uses WordPress the same way.

Here’s why you might want to reorder the admin menu:

  • Simplify the interface for clients or contributors. Hide advanced tools or group important items together so users don’t get overwhelmed or lost.
  • Prioritize what you use most. Move things like “Products,” “Pages,” or “Forms” to the top so you don’t scroll every time.
  • Create a custom workflow. If you publish blog posts daily, it makes sense to have “Posts” at the top—maybe even above “Dashboard.”
  • Improve onboarding. If your team is new to WordPress, grouping or renaming items can make navigation more intuitive.

Whether you’re customizing your own dashboard or building a better experience for others, changing the menu order is a quick way to improve productivity.

Using the Admin Menu Editor plugin

This is the easiest method: no code needed. The Admin Menu Editor plugin gives you a drag-and-drop interface to rearrange, hide, or rename menu items.

1. Install and activate the plugin

  1. In your dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
  2. Search for Admin Menu Editor.
  3. Click Install Now, then Activate.

2. Open the plugin settings

Once activated, go to Settings > Menu Editor. This opens a page where you can manage the entire admin menu visually.

3. Drag and drop to reorder

  • The screen shows all your menu items in order, including submenus.
  • Just click and drag items to new positions.
  • To move a submenu item (like “Add New” under “Posts”), expand the parent menu and drag it inside or out of the group.

4. Customize further (optional)

  • Rename items by clicking the text and typing a new name.
  • Hide menu items by unchecking the “Visible” box.
  • Change icons or access permissions for each menu.

5. Save your changes

Click Save Changes in the top-right corner. Refresh the dashboard to see your new menu structure.

Reordering menu items with custom code

If you prefer not to use a plugin, WordPress lets you control menu order by adding code to your functions.php file. This is great if you’re building a custom theme or want to apply the same structure across multiple installs.

1. Open your theme’s functions.php file

  1. Go to Appearance > Theme File Editor.
  2. On the right-hand side, select functions.php.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the file.

Tip: Always back up your site or use a child theme before editing code.

2. Add the custom menu order function

Paste the following snippet at the end of the file:

function custom_menu_order($menu_ord) {
    if (!$menu_ord) return true;
    return array(
        'index.php',                  // Dashboard
        'edit.php',                   // Posts
        'upload.php',                 // Media
        'edit-comments.php',         // Comments
        'edit.php?post_type=page',   // Pages
        'woocommerce',               // WooCommerce (if active)
        'plugins.php',               // Plugins
        'users.php',                 // Users
        'tools.php',                 // Tools
        'options-general.php'        // Settings
    );
}
add_filter('custom_menu_order', '__return_true');
add_filter('menu_order', 'custom_menu_order');

3. Save and test

Click Update File to save your changes. Go back to your dashboard and reload—your menu items should now appear in the new order.

How this code works

  • custom_menu_order($menu_ord): This function checks if a custom order should be applied.
  • __return_true: Tells WordPress to use a custom menu order.
  • menu_order: Applies the array you defined as the new order.

Any item not listed in the array will show up after the ones you’ve defined.

How to find menu item slugs for custom post types

When using code, you need to know the “slug” or internal ID of each menu item. This can be tricky with custom post types or plugin menus.

3 ways to find the correct slugs

  • Hover over a menu item in the dashboard and look at your browser’s status bar (bottom left corner). The URL often reveals the slug.
  • Use Admin Menu Editor to inspect menu item keys. This is useful even if you’re planning to use code later.
  • Check plugin docs or support. Some menu slugs are unique (like edit.php?post_type=product for WooCommerce).

Common menu slugs

  • edit.php = Posts
  • upload.php = Media
  • edit.php?post_type=page = Pages
  • edit.php?post_type=product = WooCommerce Products
  • admin.php?page=xyz = Plugin menu pages

If you’re unsure, add items one by one and reload your dashboard to test the order.

Best practices for reordering admin menus

  • Use a child theme if editing functions.php so your changes won’t get wiped out during updates.
  • Avoid hiding core items like Settings or Plugins unless you’re preparing a locked-down client dashboard.
  • Group related items (Posts, Pages, Media) together to create a logical flow.
  • Test user roles to confirm they see the right menus after you reorder them.
  • Keep a backup or staging site when experimenting with plugins or custom code.

Bonus: create user-specific admin menus

You can use code to reorder the menu differently for each role—great for agencies, membership sites, or editorial teams.

Example: Reorder for editors only

function editor_menu_order($menu_ord) {
    if (!current_user_can('editor')) return $menu_ord;
    return array(
        'edit.php',                   // Posts
        'edit.php?post_type=page',   // Pages
        'upload.php',                // Media
    );
}
add_filter('custom_menu_order', '__return_true');
add_filter('menu_order', 'editor_menu_order');

This changes the menu only for Editors, while Admins still see the normal order.

You can check for other roles using current_user_can(‘author’), administrator, or even custom capabilities.

Additional resources

How to use your WordPress admin login page →

How to find, use, and troubleshoot your admin page

WordPress privacy policy: how to write one and how to add it to your site →

Create a comprehensive privacy policy for your WordPress site to ensure compliance and build user trust.





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