Table of contents

1. Remove default columns from the users table2. Reorder columns in the users table3. Add new columns with custom user data4. Change column labels and widths5. Change the date format in user columns6. Use front-end editing for user data7. Customize the table by user role or capabilities8. Create an entirely custom user table (advanced)9. Bonus: Add sorting and filtering to the users tableWhy customize the way a users’ table looks in WordPress?Next stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Users → Customize Way User Table Looks

How to customize the way a users table looks in WordPress

Customizing the users table in WordPress gives you more control over your admin dashboard and can help streamline user management, especially on membership, ecommerce, or community sites.

Whether you’re aiming for a simpler interface or adding custom user data fields, there are easy ways to get the job done—no matter your skill level.

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1. Remove default columns from the users table

You might want to remove columns like “Posts” or “Comments” that don’t apply to your site.

Using a plugin (easiest method)

The Admin Columns plugin lets you toggle off default columns with a visual interface:

Install and activate the Admin Columns plugin.
Go to Settings > Admin Columns.
Select the Users table from the dropdown.
Uncheck the columns you don’t want to display.

Using custom code

If you prefer a lightweight, plugin-free approach, use this snippet:

function remove_user_table_columns( $columns ) {
  unset( $columns['posts'] ); // Remove Posts column
  unset( $columns['comments'] ); // Remove Comments column
  return $columns;
}
add_filter( 'manage_users_columns', 'remove_user_table_columns' );

2. Reorder columns in the users table

The WordPress admin doesn’t allow column reordering by default, but plugins can help.

With Admin Columns plugin

Admin Columns lets you drag and drop columns into any order:

Go to Settings > Admin Columns.
Select Users.
Use the arrows to rearrange the order of the columns.

This works for both native and custom fields.

3. Add new columns with custom user data

You can display custom fields—like phone numbers, user status, or company name—in new columns.

With a plugin

Admin Columns and wpDataTables let you add new columns tied to user meta fields without code.

Choose the + Add Column option in Admin Columns.
Select Custom Field.
Enter the meta key you want to display.

With code

Here’s how to create a custom column using code:

function add_custom_user_table_column( $columns ) {
  $columns['custom_field'] = 'Custom Field';
  return $columns;
}
add_filter( 'manage_users_columns', 'add_custom_user_table_column' );

function show_custom_user_column_content( $value, $column_name, $user_id ) {
  if ( $column_name == 'custom_field' ) {
    $value = get_user_meta( $user_id, 'custom_field', true );
  }
  return $value;
}
add_filter( 'manage_users_custom_column', 'show_custom_user_column_content', 10, 3 );

Replace ‘custom_field’ with the actual meta key you’ve saved for your users.

4. Change column labels and widths

This is helpful when you want cleaner or more relevant names and better spacing.

With Admin Columns

Each column has a Label and Width field.
Use percentages, px, or em to define widths.
Rename generic columns like “Custom Field 1” to “Company Name” or anything that makes sense for your workflow.

Without a plugin

Renaming is handled during the filter hook:

function rename_user_table_columns( $columns ) {
  $columns['custom_field'] = 'Company Name';
  return $columns;
}
add_filter( 'manage_users_columns', 'rename_user_table_columns' );

WordPress doesn’t support column widths natively, so use a plugin for that.

5. Change the date format in user columns

If you display registration dates or last login info, you might want to change the format.

Here’s an example using PHP’s date() function:

function show_custom_date_column( $value, $column_name, $user_id ) {
  if ( $column_name == 'registration_date' ) {
    $timestamp = strtotime( get_userdata( $user_id )->user_registered );
    $value = date( 'F j, Y', $timestamp ); // Example: April 30, 2025
  }
  return $value;
}
add_filter( 'manage_users_custom_column', 'show_custom_date_column', 10, 3 );

You can change the date() format string to match your preferred style.

6. Use front-end editing for user data

To allow users to edit their own fields (like bios or contact info) from the front end, use a plugin.

wpDataTables with editable tables

Create a new Users Table from your WordPress dashboard.
Enable front-end editing.
Assign editing permissions by user role.
Embed the table using a shortcode.

This is useful for community or membership sites.

7. Customize the table by user role or capabilities

You may want to show different table columns depending on the user role—like showing “Membership Level” only to admins.

Install Advanced Access Manager and:

Go to AAM > Roles & Capabilities.
Configure access to certain admin views or actions per role.
Combine this with Admin Columns to show different tables per role.

8. Create an entirely custom user table (advanced)

If you need features WordPress can’t offer—like search filters, pagination, or external data integration—you can build a custom users table from scratch.

Using WPManageNinja’s WP_User_Query method:

Use WP_User_Query to pull specific users and metadata.
Format the data into a custom HTML table.
Add pagination using paginate_links().
Use custom search inputs and filter the query based on form values.

This approach gives full control over the interface and behavior, but requires solid PHP knowledge.

9. Bonus: Add sorting and filtering to the users table

This step often gets skipped but can seriously improve UX, especially for sites with hundreds or thousands of users.

Use Admin Columns Pro for sorting

Most columns (like date, custom fields, or roles) can be made sortable.
Filters can be added based on roles, user meta, or even WooCommerce data.

Alternatively, write a custom sort function with the manage_users_sortable_columns and pre_get_users hooks.

Why customize the way a users’ table looks in WordPress?

The default WordPress users table is basic and often includes columns you don’t need while omitting information that’s actually useful for managing your site. Customizing it gives you a more streamlined, functional dashboard—especially helpful if you run a membership site, ecommerce store, LMS, or community forum.

Here are some key reasons to customize it:

Improved workflow efficiency. Removing irrelevant columns and surfacing the right data saves time when managing users, especially for admins dealing with hundreds or thousands of accounts.
Better team collaboration. If you have multiple admins or editors, a cleaner users table with clearly labeled and organized columns helps everyone stay on the same page.
Role-specific visibility. Different user roles often need different information. Customizing the table based on roles or capabilities ensures the right users see the right data—no more, no less.
Enhanced user data management. Custom fields like membership level, subscription status, or course progress can be added directly into the table, eliminating the need to click into individual user profiles.
Professional polish. For client sites or enterprise setups, a well-structured and branded admin area adds a layer of professionalism and usability.

Ultimately, customizing the users table makes WordPress work more like a true admin panel tailored to your site’s unique purpose.

Next steps for customizing the users table in WordPress

Your WordPress users table doesn’t have to stay stuck in its default layout. With just a few tweaks—or the right plugin—you can make it match your site’s needs and workflows.

Start with the Admin Columns plugin if you want fast, flexible customization without touching code. If you’re comfortable editing functions.php, adding or modifying columns manually gives you even more power.

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