How to Set WordPress WooCommerce My Downloads in Descending Order (Updated 2024)
Introduction
By default, WooCommerce displays the “My Downloads” section in chronological order, with the oldest downloads appearing first. This can be frustrating for users who have made numerous purchases and need to quickly find their most recent downloads. If you want to improve user experience and make it easier for customers to access their latest products, setting your WooCommerce “My Downloads” section to display in descending order (newest first) is crucial. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this, enhancing the overall usability of your online store. We’ll cover code snippets and explain how they work, ensuring you can easily implement this change and keep your customers happy.
Implementing Descending Order for “My Downloads”
There are a few different ways you can set the order to descending. We’ll walk you through the code snippet method, which is often the most efficient and maintainable solution.
#### Using Code Snippets
The most common and recommended method to achieve this is by adding a code snippet to your theme’s `functions.php` file or, better yet, using a dedicated code snippets plugin. This method is less prone to errors compared to directly editing the core WooCommerce files, which can be overwritten during updates.
Here’s the code snippet:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_my_account_my_orders_query', 'woo_modify_my_account_orders_query' );
function woo_modify_my_account_orders_query( $args ) {
$args[‘order’] = ‘DESC’; // Set the order to descending (newest first)
return $args;
}
Explanation of the code:
- `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_my_account_my_orders_query’, ‘woo_modify_my_account_orders_query’ );`: This line hooks into the `woocommerce_my_account_my_orders_query` filter. This filter allows us to modify the query arguments used to retrieve the orders displayed in the “My Account” > “Orders” section of WooCommerce. It’s the core piece that allows us to change the ordering.
- `function woo_modify_my_account_orders_query( $args ) { … }`: This defines the function that will modify the query arguments.
- `$args[‘order’] = ‘DESC’;`: This is the crucial part. It sets the `order` argument to `’DESC’`, which tells WooCommerce to order the results in descending order.
- `return $args;`: This line returns the modified arguments back to WooCommerce, ensuring our changes are applied.
- Safety: Keeps your custom code separate from your theme files.
- Organization: Allows you to easily manage and disable custom code snippets.
- Updatability: Prevents your custom code from being overwritten during theme updates.
Steps to Implement the Code Snippet:
1. Install and Activate a Code Snippets Plugin (Recommended): Plugins like “Code Snippets” (by Code Snippets Pro) are specifically designed for adding custom code without directly editing your theme files. This is the safest and easiest approach. Search for “Code Snippets” in the WordPress plugin repository and install/activate it.
2. Add a New Snippet: Within the Code Snippets plugin, click “Add New” to create a new snippet.
3. Paste the Code: Copy and paste the PHP code snippet provided above into the snippet editor.
4. Give the Snippet a Title: Give your snippet a descriptive title, such as “WooCommerce My Downloads Descending Order.”
5. Save and Activate: Save the snippet and then activate it.
6. Verify the Changes: Visit the “My Account” > “Downloads” section of your WooCommerce store to verify that the downloads are now displayed in descending order (newest first). You might need to clear your browser cache for the changes to take effect.
#### Why Use a Code Snippets Plugin?
Alternative Method (Editing `functions.php` – Not Recommended)
While using a code snippets plugin is highly recommended, you can also directly add the code to your theme’s `functions.php` file. However, this method is not recommended because any updates to your theme will overwrite your changes. If you choose this method, make sure to create a child theme first to prevent these issues.
1. Create a Child Theme (Important): If you don’t already have one, create a child theme. This is essential to prevent your changes from being lost when your main theme is updated.
2. Locate `functions.php`: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Theme Editor. (This option might be hidden depending on your hosting setup).
3. Edit `functions.php`: Find the `functions.php` file for your child theme.
4. Add the Code: Paste the code snippet provided above at the end of the `functions.php` file.
5. Update File: Click “Update File” to save your changes.
6. Verify the Changes: Visit the “My Account” > “Downloads” section of your WooCommerce store to verify that the downloads are now displayed in descending order. Clear your browser cache if necessary.
Warning: Editing the `functions.php` file directly can potentially break your website if done incorrectly. Always back up your website before making changes.
Conclusion
Setting your WooCommerce “My Downloads” section to display in descending order is a simple yet effective way to improve the user experience of your online store. By following the steps outlined in this article, using the recommended code snippets plugin method, you can easily implement this change and ensure your customers can quickly find their most recent purchases. This seemingly small adjustment can lead to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business. Remember to always back up your website before making any code modifications, and using a code snippets plugin is generally the safest and most maintainable approach.
