Django Admin – Create User

Welcome to The Coding College, your go-to platform for learning Django. In this tutorial, we’ll cover how to create and manage users in the Django Admin, one of the most essential features for building web applications with robust user management.

Why Create Users in Django Admin?

The Django Admin panel simplifies the process of creating and managing users. With the built-in user management system, you can:

  • Add and configure users for your application.
  • Assign permissions and groups.
  • Manage superusers and staff members.

Whether you’re creating users for testing or building an admin-controlled application, Django Admin provides all the tools you need.

1. Prerequisites

Before creating a user in the Django Admin, ensure the following:

  • You have a Django project set up.
  • The django.contrib.auth app is included in INSTALLED_APPS.
  • A superuser account exists to log into the admin panel.

2. Accessing the Django Admin

  1. Start your development server: python manage.py runserver
  2. Visit the admin panel at:
    http://127.0.0.1:8000/admin/
  3. Log in using your superuser credentials.

3. Creating a New User

Step 1: Navigate to the Users Section

In the Django Admin dashboard, locate the Users section under Authentication and Authorization.

Step 2: Add a New User

  1. Click on Users to open the user management page.
  2. Click Add User (usually located in the top-right corner).

Step 3: Fill Out the User Form

You’ll see a two-step form for creating a user:

  1. Step 1: Basic User Details
    • Username: A unique name for the user.
    • Password: Enter and confirm the password.
  2. Step 2: User Profile Information
    After saving the basic details, you’ll be redirected to a more detailed form. Fill in the following fields:
    • First Name and Last Name (optional).
    • Email Address: Required for password recovery or notifications.
    • User Status: Options include:
      • Active: If unchecked, the user cannot log in.
      • Staff Status: Grants access to the admin panel.
      • Superuser Status: Grants all permissions.

Step 4: Save the User

Click the Save button to create the user.

4. Assigning Permissions to Users

After creating a user, you may want to assign specific permissions:

Individual Permissions

In the user’s profile page, scroll to the Permissions section:

  • Assign permissions for actions like adding, editing, or deleting specific models.

Group Permissions

  1. Navigate to the Groups section in the admin panel.
  2. Create a group and assign it specific permissions.
  3. Add the user to the group for easy role management.

Tip: Using groups is a scalable way to manage permissions across multiple users.

5. Viewing and Managing Users

After creating users, you can view and manage them in the Users section.

  • Search Users: Use the search bar to find users by username or email.
  • Edit User: Click on a username to update their details.
  • Delete User: Use the delete option to remove a user permanently.

6. Creating Users Programmatically

Sometimes, you may want to create users without using the admin panel. You can do this directly in your code or through the Django shell.

Example: Create a User in the Shell

  • Open the shell: 
python manage.py shell
  • Use the following code: 
from django.contrib.auth.models import User  

user = User.objects.create_user(username='new_user', password='secure_password')  
user.email = '[email protected]'  
user.save()

Example: Create a Superuser in Code

from django.contrib.auth.models import User  

superuser = User.objects.create_superuser(username='admin_user', password='admin_password', email='[email protected]')  
superuser.save()

7. Best Practices for User Management

  • Secure Passwords: Ensure users set strong passwords. Use Django’s built-in password validation system.
  • Permissions: Assign only the necessary permissions to avoid accidental data changes.
  • Monitor Activity: Regularly review and update user permissions and statuses.
  • Use SSL: Protect sensitive data by enabling HTTPS on your server.

Why Use Django Admin for User Management?

Django Admin provides a straightforward, secure, and customizable interface for managing users. Its flexibility makes it ideal for:

  • Testing user-based functionality.
  • Managing application users in production.
  • Assigning roles and permissions efficiently.

Learn Django with The Coding College

At The Coding College, we’re dedicated to helping developers succeed. Whether you’re managing users or building advanced features, our tutorials cover everything you need to know.

Final Thoughts

Creating and managing users in Django Admin is a crucial skill for developers working with user-based applications. With this guide, you’ll be able to create, assign permissions, and manage users effectively.

Explore more Django tutorials on The Coding College to enhance your web development journey.

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