WordPress is a versatile platform that allows multiple users to collaborate on a single website. Each user has their own role and permissions, but occasionally you might need to change the author of a post or page. Whether it’s to attribute content to the correct author, update an author’s information, or reassign content to a different contributor, this guide will walk you through various methods to change the author in WordPress.

Adding a New Author to WordPress

Before we dive into changing authors, let’s start with adding a new author to your WordPress website. This step is essential if you want to attribute posts to a different user. To add a new author:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Users > Add New.
3. Fill in the user’s details, including their username, email, and password.
4. Assign the desired role to the new user, such as “Author” or “Editor.”
5. Click Add New User.

You’ve successfully added a new author to your WordPress website.

Editing User Settings

Updating the Author’s Display Name

Changing the author’s display name is a straightforward process. If the author wants to use a different name on their posts, follow these steps:

1. Go to Users > All Users.
2. Locate the user whose display name you want to change.
3. Click on their username.
4. In the “Name” section, select the new display name from the drop-down menu.
5. Click Update User to save the changes.

Updating the Author’s Slug

User slugs are used in the author’s archive URL. If you want to update an author’s slug, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Users > All Users.
2. Find the user you want to update.
3. Click on their username.
4. In the “Edit User” page, change the “User Slug” to the desired value.
5. Click Update User to save the changes.

Changing Your Username

If you’re the author and want to change your username, here’s how:

1. Go to Users > Your Profile.
2. Scroll down to the “Account Management” section.
3. Enter your new username in the “Username” field.
4. Click Update Profile to save your new username.

Changing the Author to Another User in Block Editor

WordPress’s Block Editor, also known as Gutenberg, provides an easy way to change the author of a post. Here’s how:

1. Edit the post using the Block Editor.
2. On the right-hand sidebar, locate the “Document” tab.
3. In the “Author” section, click the drop-down menu and select the new author.
4. Update the post to save the changes.

Changing the Author to Another User in Classic Editor

For those still using the Classic Editor, changing the author is just as simple:

1. Edit the post using the Classic Editor.
2. Find the “Author” box on the right-hand side.
3. Select the new author from the drop-down menu.
4. Click Update or Publish to save the changes.

Changing the Author Using Quick Edit

The “Quick Edit” feature is handy for changing the author without opening the full editor. Here’s how to use it:

1. In the WordPress admin panel, go to Posts.
2. Hover your mouse over the post you want to edit, and click Quick Edit.
3. In the “Author” section, choose the new author from the drop-down menu.
4. Click Update to save your changes.

Changing the Author for Posts in Bulk

If you have multiple posts to reassign to a new author, you can do it in bulk:

1. Go to Posts in the WordPress admin panel.
2. Select the posts you want to change the author for.
3. Choose “Edit” from the “Bulk Actions” dropdown.
4. Click Apply.
5. In the “Author” section, select the new author.
6. Click Update to save the changes.

Hiding Authors on WordPress Posts

There are situations where you might prefer to conceal the author’s name on specific posts or across your entire website. In such cases, you have several options to consider:

Ad

Option 1: Disable Each User’s Author Box

Some WordPress themes come equipped with the functionality to disable the author box on a per-user basis. To explore this option, follow these steps:

1. Check your theme’s settings or consult its documentation.
2. Look for an option that allows you to disable the author box for individual users.
3. If available, use this feature to control the display of author information.

Option 2: Edit the CSS

If your theme doesn’t provide a straightforward option to hide the author information, you can achieve this by editing the website’s CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). Here’s how:

1. Refer to your theme’s documentation or locate the relevant CSS classes.
2. Create a custom CSS rule that targets these classes.
3. Within the rule, set the display property to “none” for the author information elements.
4. Apply the custom CSS rule through your theme’s customization options or a custom CSS plugin.

Option 3: Use a Plugin

An alternative method is to employ a WordPress plugin designed specifically for managing author information. Two popular options are “WP Author Box” and “Simple Author Box.” These plugins offer a range of customization features, giving you control over how author information is displayed on your posts.

By exploring these options, you can tailor the visibility of author details according to your preferences and the specific needs of your website. This flexibility allows you to create a user experience that aligns with your content strategy and design choices.

Wrapping Up

Changing the author in WordPress is a fundamental and crucial task when it comes to managing the content on your website. There are various scenarios where this might be necessary, from reassigning posts to updating display names or even hiding author information. Fortunately, WordPress provides a range of methods to meet your specific needs, making the process seamless and user-friendly.

By diligently following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the complexities of author management on your WordPress site. The flexibility of WordPress ensures that you have the tools at your disposal to adapt and personalize the authorship of your content as needed.

For more in-depth information and advanced tips on this topic, we recommend exploring our comprehensive article on how to easily change the author in WordPress. It covers a wide array of strategies and insights, offering a deeper understanding of author-related processes in WordPress.

With this newfound knowledge and understanding, you can confidently address author-related changes on your WordPress site. So, go ahead and embark on your blogging journey with the assurance that you can efficiently manage and customize your authorship settings. Happy blogging!

For more information and advanced tips, you can also refer to this comprehensive article on how to easily change the author in WordPress.

Ad