Supplemental roles can be added to any WordPress role, to a custom group, or directly to an individual user.
Why would you use a supplemental role? Here's an example:
By default, Authors can create/edit/publish Posts but have no permissions for Pages. You would like for them to have the same permissions for Pages. You can give them supplemental role “Author” role for “Pages”.
Here's how that process would work:
- Go to Permissions > Groups.
- Click “Edit” for the “Author” group.
- Choose the “Add Supplemental Roles” tab.
- Post Type: choose “Page”.
- Role: choose “Editor”.
- Click “Add Role”.
Once you complete this process, Authors will be able to create/edit/publish Pages.
It is also possible to assign supplemental roles to individual users. You can do this by going to the “Users” screen and editing any user. Look for the “Custom User Permissions” box at the bottom of the screen:
Advantages of Supplemental Roles #
Supplemental roles have several advantages over editing WordPress roles directly. These advantages include:
- Changes do not remain if the plugin is deactivated.
- Less unnecessary opportunity for operator error.
- This process scales better for status-specific roles.
Supplemental roles are preferable over exceptions where possible because, like WordPress role capabilities, they do not impose any additional database query clauses.