At the top right corner of many WordPress admin screens, you will see two small tabs:

• Screen Options

• Help

These tools are often overlooked, but they can make WordPress easier to use and less confusing.

Understanding these two features can help you customize your workspace and find guidance when needed.

What Is “Screen Options”?

Screen Options allows you to control what appears on the current admin screen. It does not change your website’s content or design. It only changes what you see inside the Dashboard. You can think of it as adjusting your view of the workspace.

Where to Find Screen Options

Look at the top right corner of the Dashboard. You will see a tab labeled Screen Options. Clicking it expands a small panel with checkboxes and settings. The options available depend on which page you are viewing.

What You Can Control with Screen Options

On different screens, Screen Options may allow you to:

Show or hide columns

For example, on the Pages screen, you may be able to show:

• Author

• Date

• Comments

• Slug

Adjust how many items appear per page

You may be able to change how many posts or pages are listed before pagination appears.  The default value in most cases is 20 items.  Be careful not to increase this number too high or the admin screen you are on can take longer to load.

Enable or disable editing panels

On the page editor, you might be able to show or hide:

• Excerpt field

• Custom fields

• Discussion settings

• Featured image panel

If something appears “missing,” it may simply be turned off in Screen Options.

Why Screen Options Is Useful

Screen Options helps you:

• Reduce clutter - Hide tools you don’t use regularly.

• Reveal hidden fields - Some features are hidden by default and must be enabled.

• Customize your workspace - Each user can adjust their own view without affecting others.

Changes made in Screen Options only affect your account, not other users.

What Is the Help Tab?

Next to Screen Options is the Help tab.

Clicking Help opens a panel with information about the current screen.

The content in the Help tab changes depending on where you are in WordPress.

What You’ll Find in the Help Tab

The Help tab may include:

• A brief explanation of what the page does

• Descriptions of key features

• Links to WordPress documentation

• Guidance on how to use the current tool

It is designed to provide context-sensitive help.

When to Use the Help Tab

Use the Help tab if:

• You are unsure what a setting does

• You encounter unfamiliar terminology

• You want a quick explanation without searching online

While it may not answer every question, it often clarifies the purpose of the current screen.

Common Situations Where Screen Options Solves Confusion

• You don’t see the Featured Image panel: Check Screen Options in the editor.

• You cannot see the Slug field: Enable it through Screen Options.

• Your page list looks different from a tutorial: Compare Screen Options settings.

These small adjustments can resolve many layout differences.

Important Things to Remember

Screen Options does not:

• Change your website layout

• Affect visitors

• Modify content directly

It only controls what you see inside the Dashboard. The Help tab does not change settings either. It only provides information.

A Simple Way to Think About It

Screen Options is like rearranging your desk. Help is like a small instruction card attached to your workspace. Neither one changes the building — they just make your work easier.

Summary

Screen Options allows you to customize what you see on admin screens. The Help tab provides guidance about the current page. Both tools are located in the top right corner of the Dashboard. If something seems missing or confusing, check Screen Options first, then review the Help tab.

Next, we’ll cover how to find content quickly inside WordPress so you don’t waste time searching.