How to display and retrieve settings errors in WordPress using settings_errors

The settings_errors function in WordPress is used to display error messages or success messages related to settings. These messages are typically displayed on the settings page after a form submission or when there are errors in saving settings. This function can be useful for providing feedback to users about the status of their settings and any issues that may have occurred during the process.

• It helps to improve user experience by providing clear and concise feedback.
• It can assist users in troubleshooting any errors or issues with their settings.
• It helps to communicate the outcome of a settings update to the user.

The settings_errors function plays a crucial role in enhancing the usability and functionality of WordPress settings pages.

Parameters Accepted by WordPress settings_errors Function

The settings_errors function accepts the following parameters:

• $setting (string, optional. Default value: ”) – Optional slug title of a specific setting whose errors you want.
• $sanitize (bool, optional. Default value: false) – Whether to re-sanitize the setting value before returning errors.
• $hide_on_update (bool, optional. Default value: false) – If set to true errors will not be shown if the settings page has already been submitted.

The function does not return a value.

Examples

How to display error messages using WordPress settings_errors function

Here’s a simple code snippet to display error messages using the settings_errors function:

if ( ! empty( $_GET['settings-updated'] ) ) {
 settings_errors( 'my-plugin-messages' );
}

This code checks if the settings-updated query parameter is present in the URL. If it is, the settings_errors function is called to display any error messages with the specified error code 'my-plugin-messages'.

How to add custom error messages using WordPress settings_errors function

Here’s an example of adding custom error messages to be displayed using the settings_errors function:

add_settings_error( 'my-plugin-messages', 'error', 'Invalid input! Please try again.', 'error' );

This code adds a custom error message to be displayed using the settings_errors function. The error message is associated with the error code 'my-plugin-messages' and has the message 'Invalid input! Please try again.'.

How to display error messages in the WordPress admin settings page

Here’s an example of displaying error messages on the WordPress admin settings page using the settings_errors function:

function my_plugin_admin_notices() {
 settings_errors( 'my-plugin-messages' );
}
add_action( 'admin_notices', 'my_plugin_admin_notices' );

This code adds an admin notice hook to display error messages with the specified error code 'my-plugin-messages' on the WordPress admin settings page.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the settings_errors function is a valuable tool for managing and displaying error messages in WordPress settings pages. By using this function, developers can easily add, retrieve, and display error messages, providing a better user experience for site administrators. With its simple and straightforward usage, settings_errors is a must-have function for any WordPress developer working on settings pages. By incorporating this function into their projects, developers can ensure that error messages are handled effectively and efficiently, ultimately leading to a more polished and professional user interface.