How to Move a Post from 'Pending' to 'Drafts' in WordPress

Managing your posts efficiently in WordPress is crucial for a seamless workflow, especially when working with multiple editors. Sometimes, you might find a post stuck in the Pending status, and you want to revert it to the Drafts status to make revisions. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to do this while ensuring that other editors aren’t working on the same post simultaneously.

Understanding the Pending Status in WordPress

The Pending status in WordPress is a semi-final state for posts. When a post is published in the Pending status, it means that there are pending changes or approvals needed. This could be due to moderation settings, plugins, or manual approval processes. While in the Pending status, other editors may still be able to access and modify the post, which can lead to editing conflicts.

Why You Might Need to Move a Post from Pending to Drafts

There are several reasons why you might want to move a post from Pending to Drafts. For instance, you might need to make extensive revisions, and you want to ensure that no one else is working on the same post. Additionally, you may want to revert the post to a work-in-progress status while you make adjustments. Moving a post to the Drafts status helps to prevent editing conflicts and ensures that only you have control over the post until it’s ready for review and publication.

Steps to Move a Post from 'Pending' to 'Drafts' in WordPress

Follow these steps to move a post from the Pending status to the Drafts status in WordPress:

Log in to your WordPress Dashboard: Access your WordPress site and log in to the WordPress dashboard. This is where you will manage all your content, users, and settings. Go to the Posts Section: Click on the Posts menu item in the left-hand menu. This will open the posts list view, where all your content is listed. Find the Post in Question: Scroll through the list of posts until you find the one you want to move. If you have many posts, you can use the search bar at the top of the post list to quickly locate it. Locate the Action Menu: Next to the post you want to edit, you will see a list of actions such as Preview, Edit, Trash, etc. These actions are typically shown to the right of the post title. Select the 'Edit' Action: Click on the Pen icon (usually the second option) next to the post title to edit the post. This will open the post editor where you can make any changes necessary. Go to the Post Details Section: At the top of the post editor, you will see the details section. Look for the Status dropdown menu where you can select the status of the post. Change the Status to 'Draft': Select the Draft option from the status dropdown menu. This will change the status of the post to Draft. Save the Changes: Once you’ve changed the status, click the Update button (or Save Draft if your theme uses that option) to save the changes. The post will now be in the Drafts status, and you can make any necessary edits.

Consequences of Not Moving a Post

Not moving a post from Pending to Drafts can lead to several issues. Other editors may still be able to access the post and make edits, potentially disrupting your workflow. Additionally, if the post is in the Pending status for too long, it may start appearing in the content feed or front-end of your site, causing confusion and content conflicts. Moving the post to the Drafts status helps to minimize these risks and keeps your workflow organized.

Conclusion

Managing the status of your posts in WordPress effectively is key to maintaining a smooth workflow and ensuring that your content is presented in the best possible manner. By moving a post from the Pending to the Drafts status, you take control of the content and prevent editing conflicts. Follow the steps outlined above to make this process quicker and more efficient.

References and Further Reading

For further reading and a deeper understanding of managing your content in WordPress, you can refer to the following resources:

WordPress Codex: Managing Posts WPMU Dev: WordPress Editor Workflow KeyCDN: WordPress Statuses

Vedicals WordPress Team