TOOL1 Parent Filter

Filter the WordPress admin list of pages, and other hierarchical post types, by parent, so you only see one section of your site at a time.

Overview

Sites with dozens or hundreds of pages are hard to manage in one long list. You end up scrolling, searching and guessing which “About” or “Services” page belongs where.

TOOL1 Parent Filter adds a parent dropdown next to the date filter on the Pages → All Pages screen. Pick a parent page, click Filter, and the list shows only that page and everything below it: its children, grandchildren, and every level further down.

It’s fast and uses WordPress’s own building blocks. It also adds nothing to your site’s front end.

Key features

Filter by parent, all levels deep

Choose any parent to see that page and all of its descendants in one list.
Works no matter how deep your hierarchy goes.

A smart, clean dropdown

Lists only pages that have children, since filtering by a page without children would show just that page.
Indents the list to show the page hierarchy.
Includes parents in any status: published, draft, scheduled, pending review or private.
Hidden automatically while no page has children yet.
Stays selected after filtering. A bookmarked filter link keeps working, even if that page no longer has children.

Works with custom post types

Turn the filter on for any hierarchical post type, such as documentation, products, courses or locations, under Settings → Parent Filter.
Only post types that actually support parents are offered.
If a custom post type’s plugin is switched off, saving the settings won’t forget it. The filter comes back when that plugin is switched on again.

Plays well with others

Combine the parent filter with WordPress’s date filter, status links, search and column sorting.
Works alongside other plugins that also limit the list: both limits apply, and neither filter overrides the other.

Lightweight and safe

Runs only in the WordPress admin, with no front-end code at all.
Loads no JavaScript or CSS files. The dropdown is built on the server.
Uses only standard WordPress functions, with no custom database tables or direct database queries.
All input is checked and cleaned, all output is escaped, and the settings page is limited to administrators.
Makes no requests to outside services and collects no data.

Your data, your choice

Deactivating the plugin never deletes anything.
By default, your settings are kept even when you delete the plugin, so reinstalling picks up where you left off.
To remove everything on deletion, tick Delete the plugin settings when the plugin is deleted under Settings → Parent Filter. On a multisite network, this is decided separately on each site.

Translation-ready

Every piece of text can be translated.
A translation template (languages/tool1-parent-filter.pot) is included.

How to use

Install and activate the plugin.
Go to Pages → All Pages.
Choose a parent from the All parent Pages dropdown and click Filter.
To clear the filter, choose All parent Pages again and click Filter.
Optional: open Settings → Parent Filter to turn the filter on for other hierarchical post types, or to choose what happens to the settings on uninstall.

A Settings link is also on the plugin’s row on the Plugins screen.

Requirements

WordPress 6.0 or later (tested up to 7.1)
PHP 7.4 or later
Works on single sites and multisite networks

Frequently asked questions

Where is the filter?
Above the list on Pages → All Pages, next to the date filter.

Why are some pages missing from the dropdown?
The dropdown lists only pages that have at least one child page. If no page has children yet, the dropdown is hidden.

Can I use it for custom post types?
Yes, for any hierarchical post type. Turn it on under Settings → Parent Filter.

Does it change anything on the front end?
No. The plugin only works in the WordPress admin.

Does it slow down my site?
No. It loads no scripts or styles, and it only does its lookups on admin list screens where the filter is turned on.

What happens to my settings when I delete the plugin?
They are kept unless you tick the delete option under Settings → Parent Filter first.

Changelog

3.1.0

Filtering by a parent now shows all levels below it, not just direct children.
The settings page moved to Settings → Parent Filter and is linked from the Plugins screen.
Draft, scheduled, pending and private parents now appear in the dropdown.
The dropdown is built on the server and lists only items that have children. The JavaScript file is gone.
The dropdown is hidden when nothing has children yet.
Works together with other plugins that limit the list, instead of replacing their filter.
Saving the settings no longer forgets post types whose plugin is switched off.
New option to delete the plugin settings when the plugin is deleted. It’s off by default, so settings are kept.
All text is in English and ready for translation, with a .pot file included.

3.0.3

Earlier release.

TOOL1 Parent Filter