Updated July 2026: This guide has been updated. The previous method used a third-party plugin to modify Elementor permissions. This approach is no longer recommended. The steps below provide a cleaner way to manage access.
By default, Elementor Form Submissions are only available to WordPress Administrators. This works well for most websites, but it can become limiting when managing websites for businesses with multiple team members.
For example:
- A business owner wants an office manager to view leads
- A marketing employee needs access to inquiries
- A sales team needs to follow up with contact requests
Giving everyone Administrator access just to view form submissions is not ideal.
This guide explains safer ways to provide access while keeping your WordPress user permissions organized.
Why You Should Avoid Giving Everyone Administrator Access
Administrator accounts have complete control over a WordPress website, including:
Installing plugins
Changing themes
Editing website files
Managing users
Accessing sensitive website data
For most employees, this is unnecessary.
A better approach is giving users only the permissions they actually need.
Option 1: Use Elementor's Built-In Role Management
Before adding custom code, check Elementor’s available role settings:
WordPress Dashboard → Elementor → Role Manager
Depending on your Elementor version, available permissions may vary.
Elementor Form Submissions store submitted information inside WordPress and are intended to be managed from the WordPress dashboard. (Elementor)
Option 2: Add Access Using a Custom Capability
The easiest way to add this functionality is by adding a small code snippet to your theme's functions.php file.
Important: Before editing your functions.php file, make sure you have a backup of your website. If you are using a child theme, add the code there instead of the parent theme so it is not overwritten during updates.
Step 1: Open Your Theme’s Functions File
From your WordPress dashboard, go to:
Appearance → Theme File Editor
Select: Theme Functions (functions.php)
Alternatively, you can access the file through FTP or your hosting File Manager: /wp-content/themes/your-theme/functions.php
Step 2: Add the Code
Scroll to the bottom of the file and paste the following code:
/**
* Allow Editors to view Elementor Form Submissions
*
* Add this snippet using the Code Snippets plugin
* or your theme's functions.php file.
*/
function allow_editor_elementor_form_submissions() {
$role = get_role('editor');
if ($role) {
$role->add_cap('manage_elementor_forms');
}
}
add_action('init', 'allow_editor_elementor_form_submissions');
Step 3: Save Changes
Save the file and log in as the user role you want to test.
The user should now be able to access: WordPress Dashboard → Elementor → Submissions
Previous Method: Elementor Form Submissions Access Plugin
This article previously referenced a third-party plugin that modified Elementor’s permissions to allow additional WordPress roles to view submissions.
While this solved the problem, it relied on overriding Elementor permission checks. For long-term website maintenance, we recommend using a more controlled permission approach instead.
Security Reminder
Elementor form submissions may contain sensitive customer information:
Names
Email addresses
Phone numbers
Project details
Only give access to trusted users who need it.
Managing WordPress user roles correctly is an important part of maintaining a secure website.
Instead of creating unnecessary Administrator accounts, use the minimum permissions needed for each user.
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