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What You’ll Learn

  • Creating keys with the MainWP Key Maker plugin
  • Importing and managing keys in Bulk Settings Manager
  • Applying settings to multiple child sites
  • Using Key Rings to group related keys
  • Troubleshooting common issues like nonce errors
Extension Add-on - This add-on provides standalone functionality within MainWP Dashboard. No third-party plugins required.
With the MainWP Bulk Settings Manager Extension, you can adjust your Child site settings for the WordPress Core and almost any WordPress Plugin or Theme.

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How it Works

MainWP Bulk Settings Manager Extension works together with the MainWP Key Maker plugin. The Key Maker plugin grabs necessary data from your WordPress site (where you have set your preferences); next, the Extension converts the data to a key that you can submit to the rest of your child sites and apply your preferences. Quick and easy, with just a few clicks, you can update settings on all your child sites!

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Does Bulk Settings Manager work with the XYZ plugin or theme?

While we have not tested every plugin or theme, Bulk Settings Manager should technically work with any plugin or theme that uses standard forms. If you want to check if the information you want to work with will be recorded:
1

Install the free MainWP Key Maker Plugin (link to WordPress.org)

2

Submit the form you want to be able to use in Bulk Settings Manager.

3

Once you have submitted the form, press the MainWP Key Maker button in your WP Admin Top Menu.

Once you have submitted the form, press the MainWP Key Maker button in your WP Admin Top Menu.
4

Select the Post-submission Request key

You will now see at least 2 “Keys” that will pop up for you: “Post-submission Request” and “Pre-submission Request”. You almost always want to use Post-submission since that is the information gathered after you submitted the form.
5

Now click on “Verify Form Fields and Values” this will show you in a human-readable way what information was gathered.

Now click on “Verify Form Fields and Values” this will show you in a human-readable way what information was gathered.
If everything looks right and all your information was gathered correctly, you can be 99% sure that it will work with Bulk Settings Manager to change all your Child sites. An example of where Bulk Settings Manager would not work is during the initial setup of JetPack, where you are required to leave your Child site to verify log-in credentials. However, you would be able to set up keys for JetPack after the verify credential step. Pre-submission requests often don’t have all fields and values detected. Using the Pre-submission requests may lead to incomplete Keys. We strongly recommend using Post-submission requests! To see the Post-submission request, you need to submit the form that you are trying to grab and make the Key. Once you get to the page where the form is located, make sure that the wanted values are correctly set, submit the form, and after that, you will see the Post-submission request. Some forms are divided into multiple mini-forms. MainWP Key Maker plugin detects all mini-forms and displays Post-submission requests for all of them. If you get multiple Post-Submission requests, be sure to use the Verify Form Fields and Values button and find the “biggest” one. The request that is showing all form fields will probably be the one.

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Bulk Settings Manager Workflow

1

Install the Key Maker plugin on a site that has a Theme or Plugin with settings that you want to share across your Child Sites

Install the Key Maker plugin on a site that has a Theme or Plugin with settings that you want to share across your Child Sites
2

Install the Bulk Settings Manager Extension in your MainWP Dashboard

3

Go to a settings page of plugin or theme that you want to copy to all your Child sites and Submit that page, so the form is passed

Go to a settings page of plugin or theme that you want to copy to all your Child sites and Submit that page, so the form is passed
4

Press the MainWP Key Maker button listed at the top of your screen

Press the MainWP Key Maker button listed at the top of your screenInitiate the Key Maker
5

Select the post-submission Request field and copy the generated code by clicking the Copy to Clipboard button

Select the post-submission Request field and copy the generated code by clicking the Copy to Clipboard button
6

Log in to your MainWP Dashboard

7

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager

8

Open the Import Keys tab

Import key code
  1. In the Import from MainWP Key Maker section, give your key a name
  2. Paste the copied code in the Key code field
  3. Click the Import Key button
9

After the Key has been created, you will be redirected to the Key Edit screen.

After the Key has been created, you will be redirected to the Key Edit screen.
10

Verify the form fields look correct for you and, if needed, update field values

Verify the form fields look correct for you and, if needed, update field values
11

Click the Save Key button

12

Go to the Single Keys tab

Go to the Single Keys tab
  1. Select the Key
  2. Select your Child Sites
  3. Click the Save Key button

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Add a Key to a Key Ring

Key Ring feature allows you to group your Keys and submit them all at once. It comes pretty handy in case one Plugin or Theme has multiple settings forms. After you create all Keys for a plugin or theme, you can group them in a single Key Rings that allow you to manage them more efficiently.
1

Login to your MainWP Dashboard

2

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager

3

Go to the Single Keys tab

4

Locate the Key that you want to add to a Key Ring

5

Click the Edit action

Edit key button
6

In the Key Settings box, locate the Key Ring options

7

Create a new Key Ring for your Key or assign the Key to an existing one

8

Click the Save Key button

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Save Keys to Child Sites

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Submit a Single Key

1

Login to your MainWP Dashboard

2

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager

3

Go to the Single Keys tab

4

Locate the Key that you want to submit

5

Select it

6

Select your Child Sites

7

Click the Save Key button

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Submit a Key Ring

1

Login to your MainWP Dashboard

2

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager

3

Go to the Key Rings tab

4

Locate the Key Ring that you want to submit

5

Select it

6

Select your Child Sites

7

Click the Save Key Ring button

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Create a Single Key

MainWP Bulk Settings Manager extension allows you to create Keys manually or import them from the MainWP Key Maker plugin or a file. Please note that we highly recommend making your keys by importing them from the Key Maker plugin. This method is much easier, quicker, and minimizes potential issues. However, if you decide to make keys manually, note that it is a harder process and recommended only to advanced users.

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Make a Single Key with the Key Maker plugin.

The Bulk Settings Manager Extension works with the MainWP Key Maker plugin to record your form settings and make a “key.” Once you have the “key,” you save it into your Bulk Settings Manager Extension. From this point, you can submit your settings to child sites, or if needed, you can update your settings and submit them to child sites after that.
1

Login into your website where you have the plugin set as you want it

2

Install the MainWP Key Maker plugin and activate it

3

Go to a settings page of a plugin, theme, or one of the WordPress settings pages that you want to copy to all your Child sites

Go to a settings page of a plugin, theme, or one of the WordPress settings pages that you want to copy to all your Child sites
4

Submit the settings form, so the form is passed

5

Press the MainWP Key Maker button listed at the top of your screen

6

Select the post-submission Request field and copy it to clipboard

7

Login to your MainWP Dashboard

8

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager

9

Go to the Import Keys tab

Go to the Import Keys tab and use the Import from MainWP Key Maker section
  1. Paste the copied code in the Key code field
  2. Give your key a name
  3. Click the Import Key button
10

After the Key has been created, you will be redirected to the Key Edit screen.

After the Key has been created, you will be redirected to the Key Edit screen.
11

Verify the form fields look correct for you and, if needed, update field values

Verify the form fields look correct for you and, if needed, update field values
12

Click the Save Key button.

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Bulk Settings Manager Settings

  • Delay – allows you to set a time delay between two submissions. For example, if you set a delay to 5 seconds and submit a key to 3 child sites after the Key has been submitted to the first site, the extension will wait for 5 seconds before it proceeds to the next child site. This option helps you to reduce server load.
  • Clear History – by clicking the button, you will delete all historical data from the Bulk Settings Manager extension.
  • Use Boilerplate – if enabled, you will be able to use Boilerplate tokens as key field values. Note that this option works only if the MainWP Boilerplate Extension has been installed and activated on your MainWP Dashboard.

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Import a Bulk Settings Manager Key

There are two ways to import Bulk Settings Manager Extension keys: by pasting a key code or by importing a key file.

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Paste Key Code

1

Login to your MainWP Dashboard

2

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager

3

Locate the Import from MainWP Key Maker section

Locate the Import from MainWP Key Maker sectionPaste key code
  1. Enter the key name in the Key name field
  2. Paste the previously copied code in the Key code field
  3. Click the Import Key button
After pasting the key, you will be prompted to the Edit Key screen, where you can verify the key fields. Once all set, save the key, and you are ready to go.

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Import Key File

1

Login to your MainWP Dashboard

2

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager

3

Locate the Upload Key File section

Locate the Upload Key File sectionScreenshot of Import Key from a File option box with Choose File and Import Key buttons
  1. Click the Choose File button
  2. Browse and select the previously downloaded key file
  3. Click the Upload Key button
After importing the key, you will be prompted to the Edit Key screen, where you can verify the key fields. Once all set, save the key, and you are ready to go.

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Edit Key Values

To edit Key values,
1

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager > Single Keys

2

Locate the Key that you need to edit

3

Open the action menu and click Edit

4

Once prompted to the Key Edit page, locate the fields that you need to update

Once prompted to the Key Edit page, locate the fields that you need to updateEdit key field
  1. Click the Field title to expand it
  2. Update the Value
  3. Update these two steps for all fields that you want to edit
5

Once ready, click the Save Key button at the bottom of the page

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How to Use Boilerplate Tokens in Keys

MainWP Bulk Settings Manager Extension supports Boilerplate tokens. By using tokens, it is possible to set per-site unique values in forms. Changing the WordPress Settings > General form is a common example. In that form, the siteurl and home fields must remain unique for each child site. To handle that kind of form correctly:
1

Make sure that the Use Boilerplate option is enabled

Make sure that the Use Boilerplate option is enabledUse boilerplate option
2

Next, after creating the Key, please find it in the list and Edit it

3

Locate the key fields you want to replace with Boilerplate tokens

4

Replace the relevant field values with the Boilerplate tokens you want to use

Replace the relevant field values with the Boilerplate tokens you want to use. Key fields
5

Save the key

Bulk Settings Manager replaces Boilerplate tokens only when the MainWP Boilerplate Extension is installed, activated, and the Use Boilerplate option is enabled. Confirm that the token names and per-site values in your Boilerplate setup are correct before you save the key.

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Change WordPress Administration Email Address on Multiple Child Sites at Once

The WordPress admin email address of all/selected Child sites can be changed using the Bulk Settings Manager extension. Considering that the Bulk Settings Manager will overwrite all WordPress General Settings and that the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) must be unique for each Child site, we will use the Boilerplate extension to define tokens for those two fields. Both extensions are included in our Pro plan. Please note that the tutorial is written with the assumption that the Administration Email Address is the only field that needs to be changed and that all other options on the WordPress General Settings page should be the same on all Child sites. Follow the following steps, and visit linked articles for detailed instructions for individual steps.
1

Install Bulk Settings Manager and Boilerplate extension on your MainWP Dashboard

Install Bulk Settings Manager and Boilerplate extension on your MainWP Dashboard
2

Install MainWP Key Maker on any of the Child Sites to create a template to replicate on other Child sites

Install MainWP Key Maker on any of the Child Sites to create a template to replicate on other Child sites
3

On MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager > Settings, enable Use Boilerplate

On MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager > Settings enable Use Boilerplate. Use boilerplate option
4

Navigate to WordPress Dashboard > Settings > General Settings on a Child Site with the Key Maker plugin installed in step 2, and create a Key

Navigate to WordPress Dashboard > Settings > General Settings on a Child Site with the Key Maker plugin installed in step 2, and create a Key
5

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager > Import Keys and import the key

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager > Import Keys and import the key you just created
6

Next, after creating the Key, please find it in the list and Edit it

7

Locate the URL-related key fields

8

Replace those values with the Boilerplate tokens you want to apply

Replace those values with the Boilerplate tokens you want to apply. If one token cannot cover every field you need, create the additional token in MainWP Boilerplate. Key fields
9

Locate the new_admin_email key field

10

Replace the Value of the field with the new address you want to apply to Child sites

Replace the Value of the field with the new address you want to apply to Child sites Key field email value
11

Save changes to the Key

12

Select Sites from the right and click Save Key

Before you apply the key, confirm that the Boilerplate tokens you used have the correct per-site values for every selected child site.

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How to fix Invalid nonce error in Bulk Settings Manager

When saving a key to child sites, Bulk Settings Manager can, under some circumstances, report an “Invalid nonce” error message. Invalid nonce error The current interface includes a built-in Skip Invalid nonce option in the Save Key Options panel. To use it:
1

Open the Single Keys or Key Rings tab

2

Select the key or key ring and choose the child sites you want to target

3

Enable Skip Invalid nonce in Save Key Options

Enable Skip Invalid nonce in Save Key Options
4

Click Save Key or Save Key Ring

If a child site error still tells you to “Try to use:” a specific nonce action, you can edit the key and add a Text Field where the Name matches that action and the Value is mainwp-bsm-unverify-nonce.

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How to change Rank Math settings on your child sites using Bulk Settings Manager

In this help document, we will cover how to change the settings of the Rank Math plugin on your Child Sites using Bulk Settings Manager. Even though most settings pages can be changed, a notable exception is toggling Modules On/Off on the Rank Math > Dashboard page because that page doesn’t use submission requests to save changes. RankMath plugin page Note: Considering that the Bulk Settings Manager will overwrite all options on a given settings page, please ensure that it is acceptable that all Child sites have the same options on that page. This help document will cover how to change the options on the Rank Math > General Settings page. However, the same logic applies to other settings pages. To change Rank Math settings, please follow the following steps, and visit linked articles for detailed instructions for individual steps.
1

Install Bulk Settings Manager extension on your MainWP Dashboard

2

Install MainWP Key Maker on any of the Child Sites to create a template to replicate on other Child sites

Install MainWP Key Maker on any of the Child Sites to create a template to replicate on other Child sites
3

Navigate to WordPress Dashboard > Rank Math > General Settings on a Child Site with the Key Maker plugin installed, and create a Key

Navigate to WordPress Dashboard > Rank Math > General Settings on a Child Site with the Key Maker plugin installed, and create a Key
4

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager > Import Keys and import the key

Go to MainWP Dashboard > Add-ons > Administrative > Bulk Settings Manager > Import Keys and import the key you just created
5

Next, after creating the Key, please find it in the list and Edit it

Next, after creating the Key, please find it in the list on the Single Keys tab RankMath key
6

Select Sites from the right and click Save Key

Select Sites from the right and click Save Key Site selection
7

All options from Rank Math > General Settings page are now applied to all selected Child Sites

All options from Rank Math > General Settings page are now applied to all selected Child Sites
In case you would get a nonce-related error when Saving the Key in Step 6, please follow the instructions in this help document to resolve the issue. Invalid nonce error