How to Change or Replace a Post’s Main Author

When creating a post, WordPress normally assigns the current user as its author. With Molongui Authorship, you can replace that author with another WordPress user or a Guest Author.

There are several ways to do this, depending on whether you want to replace the existing author or keep them as a co-author.

Method 1: Remove the Existing Author First

This method is useful when you want the new author to be the only person credited.

1. Open the post in the Block Editor or Classic Editor.
2. Locate the Authors panel.
3. Remove the currently assigned author.
4. Make sure the author list is empty.
5. Search for and add the replacement author.

The replacement author automatically becomes MAIN.

You can then publish or update the post.

You don’t need to click the star icon manually.

Method 2: Add the New Author Before Removing the Old One

This method is useful if you prefer to select the replacement before removing the original author.

1. Open the post editor.
2. Locate the Authors panel.
3. Add the new author. The original author remains Main.
4. Remove the original Main Author.

If only the newly added author remains, Molongui automatically makes them Main.

Example:

Initial authors:

• John — MAIN

After adding Sarah:

• John — MAIN
• Sarah — Co-author

After removing John:

• Sarah — MAIN

Both methods produce the same result.

Method 3: Keep Both Authors but Change Who Is Main

If you want to keep the original author as a co-author:

1. Add the new author.
2. Click the empty star icon next to the new author’s name.
3. Confirm that the MAIN label moves to that author.
4. Save or update the post.

The previous Main Author remains assigned as a co-author.

What If the Post Has Several Co-authors?

If you remove the Main Author and two or more authors remain, Molongui will not select a replacement automatically.

You must click the star icon next to the person who should receive primary credit.

This ensures that the correct contributor is designated as Main.

Changing Authors with Quick Edit

You can also replace authors without opening the full post editor.

1. Go to Posts > All Posts.
2. Hover over the post and click Quick Edit.
3. Find the Molongui author selector.
4. Remove and add authors as needed.
5. Verify that the correct person has the MAIN label.
6. Click Update.

The same automatic Main Author assignment rules apply.

Changing Authors with Bulk Edit

Bulk Edit lets you apply a new author selection to several posts.

1. Go to Posts > All Posts.
2. Select the posts you want to modify.
3. Choose Edit from the Bulk Actions dropdown.
4. Click Apply.
5. Find the Molongui Authors field.
6. Add the author or authors you want to assign.
7. Confirm which author is marked MAIN.
8. Apply the bulk update.

Important: The Bulk Edit author selector starts empty because an empty selection means No Change. It does not mean that the selected posts have no authors.

When you add an author, that author automatically becomes Main for the new selection. Review your selection carefully, since the update can affect multiple posts.

What If the MAIN Label Is Missing?

If the author list contains authors but none is marked Main, click the star next to the correct author.

Do not assume that the first name in the list is automatically Main.

Molongui requires an explicit selection when existing authorship is unresolved.

Summary

You can replace a post’s Main Author by removing the old author first, adding the replacement first, or manually choosing a new Main with the star icon.

Molongui automatically selects Main when there is only one unambiguous choice. Otherwise, you retain full control over who receives primary credit.