Plugin to restrict non-admin user to existing tags

Question

Is there a plugin that would restrict non-admin users to only existing tags? I could have used categories for this, but it will be difficult to display with a large population (~1000) of tags.

Answer 1

If you do not already have your tags created, you can use the "Bulk Add Tags" plugin - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/bulk-add-tags/

Then to restrict all users except admins from adding new tags via the "New Post" screen, add this code to your theme's functions.php file:

//Hide Post Page Options from all except Administrator
if (!current_user_can('administrator')){
function hide_post_page_options() {
global $post;
$hide_post_options = "<style type=\"text/css\"> .jaxtag { display: none; }</style>";
print($hide_post_options);
}
add_action( 'admin_head', 'hide_post_page_options'  );
}

This will simply hide the box for entering new tags from all users except administrators.

I actually use this method to hide many areas of the "New Post" page. Simply find and add the element's div class or id before { display: none; } and separated by commas. If you're unfamiliar, you can use the Firebug plugin with Firefox, or simply right-click and select "Inspect Element" in Chrome.

I prefer this method over many plugins because it does not remove functionality completely from Wordpress, the functionality is simply hidden from users who do not need it.

Answer 2

Your question has really intrigued me. I can see a huge use for this situation, so I will do whatever I can to help you find the answer.

Here is another solution, not exactly what you mentioned in your comment on the other answer, but it does make it a little easier for users to find the tags they want, as the tags are listed alphabetically.

Manage Tags Capability plugin - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/manage-tags-capability/

Also, should note: This method allows users to select from ALL available tags. I just realized, the other method only allows users to select from the "most used" tags.

Wordpress already does an auto-predict when typing tags, so essentially, we need to find a way to allow users to type the tag they want, but not add a new one if they cannot find it.

Answer 3

This is how I solve same problem (in functions.php of your theme):

/* Removing Tags for users */
if (is_admin()) :
function my_remove_meta_boxes() {
 if(!current_user_can('publish_posts')) { 
   remove_meta_box('tagsdiv-post_tag', 'post', 'normal');
 }
}
add_action( 'admin_menu', 'my_remove_meta_boxes' );
endif;

First we check if it's admin area, then we check if user can publish posts (usually it's admins and editors), than we do our magic with remove_meta_box.