#5 Module 5: Custom Admin Tables (Listing Plugin Data)

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🧩 Module 5: Custom Admin Tables (Listing Plugin Data)

Let’s learn how to show stored plugin data inside a custom admin table.

Step 1: Create a Table on Plugin Activation

register_activation_hook(__FILE__, 'mfp_create_table');
function mfp_create_table() {
    global $wpdb;
    $table_name = $wpdb->prefix . 'mfp_records';
    $charset_collate = $wpdb->get_charset_collate();

    $sql = "CREATE TABLE $table_name (
        id mediumint(9) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
        name varchar(100) NOT NULL,
        created datetime DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP NOT NULL,
        PRIMARY KEY (id)
    ) $charset_collate;";

    require_once(ABSPATH . 'wp-admin/includes/upgrade.php');
    dbDelta($sql);
}
  

Step 2: Add Sample Data (Optional)

function mfp_insert_sample_data() {
    global $wpdb;
    $table = $wpdb->prefix . 'mfp_records';
    $wpdb->insert($table, ['name' => 'First Entry']);
    $wpdb->insert($table, ['name' => 'Second Entry']);
}
add_action('admin_init', 'mfp_insert_sample_data');
  

Step 3: Display Data in Admin Table

function mfp_admin_page_html() {
    global $wpdb;
    $table = $wpdb->prefix . 'mfp_records';
    $results = $wpdb->get_results("SELECT * FROM $table");
    ?>
    <div class="wrap">
        <h1>My Plugin Data Table</h1>
        <table class="widefat fixed">
            <thead><tr><th>ID</th><th>Name</th><th>Created</th></tr></thead>
            <tbody>
            <?php foreach ($results as $row): ?>
                <tr>
                    <td><?php echo esc_html($row->id); ?></td>
                    <td><?php echo esc_html($row->name); ?></td>
                    <td><?php echo esc_html($row->created); ?></td>
                </tr>
            <?php endforeach; ?>
            </tbody>
        </table>
    </div>
    <?php
}
  

✅ Now, your plugin can create a custom database table and display records inside the WordPress Admin area!

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