The Dashboard screen is the central hub of your WordPress admin panel, providing a quick overview of your website’s activity and essential information. This knowledgebase article will explore the Dashboard screen in WordPress, including default dashboard widgets, screen options, expanding and rearranging widgets, and adding new dashboard widgets.
Let’s dive in!
Default Dashboard Widgets
The Dashboard screen includes several default widgets that provide valuable insights and updates about your website. Let’s take a look at some of the commonly found default dashboard widgets:
At a Glance
- The “At a Glance” widget summarizes your website’s key metrics, including the number of published posts, pages, and comments.
- It also shows the current theme and the number of active plugins.
Activity
- The “Activity” widget provides a chronological log of recent activity on your website.
- It includes new comments, recently published posts and other relevant updates.
QuickDraft
- The “QuickDraft” widget lets you quickly jot down ideas or drafts for new posts.
- You can enter a title and content directly in the widget and save it as a draft for future use.
WordPress Events and News
- The “WordPress Events and News” widget updates the latest WordPress news, events, and announcements.
- It keeps you informed about the WordPress community and upcoming events.
Welcome
- The “Welcome” widget is displayed to new WordPress users.
- It briefly introduces WordPress, highlighting essential features and guiding new users through the initial setup process.
Screen Options
The Dashboard screen offers customization options through the “Screen Options” tab. Here’s what you can do with Screen Options:
- Click on the “Screen Options” tab at the top-right corner.
- It allows you to show or hide specific dashboard widgets.
- You can enable or disable widgets based on your preferences and the information you find most valuable.
Expanding, Collapsing, and Rearranging Widgets
The dashboard widgets on the Dashboard screen can be expanded, collapsed, and rearranged according to your needs. Here’s how to manage the widgets:
- To expand or collapse a widget, click on the arrow icon in the widget’s top-right corner.
- To rearrange the widgets, click and drag them to your desired position on the screen.
- This allows you to organize the dashboard based on your workflow and prioritize the widgets you find most useful.
Adding New Dashboard Widgets
WordPress also allows adding custom dashboard widgets to enhance your dashboard experience. Here’s how to add new dashboard widgets:
- Install and activate a plugin that provides additional dashboard widgets.
- Once activated, the plugin will add new widgets to the “Available Widgets” section.
- Go to the Dashboard screen, click the “Screen Options” tab, and ensure the plugin’s widgets are enabled.
- Drag and drop the desired widgets from the “Available Widgets” section to the dashboard area.
- Configure the settings and content of the new widgets as required.
Conclusion
The Dashboard screen in WordPress serves as a centralized control panel, providing essential information and quick access to critical features. By familiarizing yourself with the default dashboard widgets, exploring screen options for customization, and leveraging the ability to expand, collapse, rearrange, and add new widgets, you can tailor your dashboard to suit your workflow and stay informed about your website’s performance and updates.
Experiment with the Dashboard screen, use the default widgets and consider adding new widgets that align with your specific needs and preferences. The flexibility and adaptability of the Dashboard screen empower you to manage your WordPress site efficiently. For further assistance or guidance, refer to the official WordPress documentation or seek support from the WordPress community.