Title: Customizing admin area using functions.php – 3 questions
Last modified: August 19, 2016

---

# Customizing admin area using functions.php – 3 questions

 *  [adam533](https://wordpress.org/support/users/adam533/)
 * (@adam533)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customizing-admin-area-using-functionsphp-2-questions/)
 * I have spent the last day using the functions.php file to fully customize WordPress
   for my client sites. I am amazed at how much I have been able to accomplish and
   how much easier it will make things for my clients.
 * I have just a couple of things remaining that hopefully someone can help me with.
   My hope is to not use plugins if needed.
 * 1) I would like the dashboard to be one column by default. This is only for the
   main dashboard page. I know it can be changed under screen options but if the
   client adds new users it will not default that way.
 * 2) I have removed certain menu items for users that are not logged in as an admin.
   What I am hoping (and from what I have read know it can be done) is to find a
   way to rename some of the menu items (left sidebar in the admin area). For instance
   change Posts to Articles.
 * 3) I would like to move the placement of some of the menu items. For instance
   I would like to make Menus (under appearances) be shown as a main button. Could
   I remove the appearances tab all together for these users like I have done already
   and then create new tabs that links to that page (ex. /wp-admin/nav-menus.php).
 * If anyone can supply the code for the functions.php file or point me in the direction
   I would greatly appreciate it!
 * After I figure this out all I have left is to start adding my own meta boxes 
   to certain areas. Thanks for the great help found in this community.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

 *  [xavi3r](https://wordpress.org/support/users/xavi3r/)
 * (@xavi3r)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customizing-admin-area-using-functionsphp-2-questions/#post-1912013)
 * Hi,
 * Check out these sites;
 * [http://www.catswhocode.com/blog/10-wordpress-dashboard-hacks](http://www.catswhocode.com/blog/10-wordpress-dashboard-hacks)
 * [http://sixrevisions.com/wordpress/how-to-customize-the-wordpress-admin-area/](http://sixrevisions.com/wordpress/how-to-customize-the-wordpress-admin-area/)
 * Then for specific questions -> try google 🙂
 *  Thread Starter [adam533](https://wordpress.org/support/users/adam533/)
 * (@adam533)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customizing-admin-area-using-functionsphp-2-questions/#post-1912015)
 * Thanks I have read both of those pages previously and they were a help in other
   areas. Unfortunately neither page references the three items I am trying to do
   now. I have searched Google continuous over the last day and have not found the
   answers which is why I thought the WordPress forums may be of help.
 *  [xavi3r](https://wordpress.org/support/users/xavi3r/)
 * (@xavi3r)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customizing-admin-area-using-functionsphp-2-questions/#post-1912016)
 * Ah sorry Adam i should have read your post in detail, i have read something like
   this before and i also know it can be done, but im not entirely sure where i 
   have read an article on this, if it popups ill remember to post it on here.
 * Sorry i couldn’t be much more help.
 *  Thread Starter [adam533](https://wordpress.org/support/users/adam533/)
 * (@adam533)
 * [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customizing-admin-area-using-functionsphp-2-questions/#post-1912051)
 * I have found a solution to #1 – Force one column for the dashboard.
 * The following code in the functions file works
 *     ```
       function so_screen_layout_columns( $columns ) {
           $columns['dashboard'] = 1;
           return $columns;
       }
       add_filter( 'screen_layout_columns', 'so_screen_layout_columns' );
   
       function so_screen_layout_dashboard() {
           return 1;
       }
       add_filter( 'get_user_option_screen_layout_dashboard', 'so_screen_layout_dashboard' );
       ```
   

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

The topic ‘Customizing admin area using functions.php – 3 questions’ is closed to
new replies.

## Tags

 * [Admin-Area](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/admin-area/)
 * [dashboard](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/dashboard/)
 * [functions](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/functions/)
 * [menu](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/menu/)

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 4 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [adam533](https://wordpress.org/support/users/adam533/)
 * Last activity: [15 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customizing-admin-area-using-functionsphp-2-questions/#post-1912051)
 * Status: not resolved

## Topics

### Topics with no replies

### Non-support topics

### Resolved topics

### Unresolved topics

### All topics