{"id":3465,"date":"2026-08-27T18:36:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T23:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xlinesoft.com\/blog\/?p=3465"},"modified":"2026-08-28T12:48:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T17:48:40","slug":"how-to-add-user-impersonation-to-a-phprunner-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xlinesoft.com\/blog\/2026\/08\/27\/how-to-add-user-impersonation-to-a-phprunner-application\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Add User Impersonation to a PHPRunner Application"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHPRunner’s Security API lets an administrator switch to another application user without knowing that user’s password. This is useful when an administrator needs to reproduce a problem using the same pages, permissions, and data access as the user.<\/p>\n

In this tutorial we will add an impersonation button to the login table, switch accounts with Security::loginAs()<\/strong>, display a warning banner while impersonation is active, and provide a link that restores the original administrator session.<\/p>\n

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We will cover:<\/p>\n

1. Preparing the login table and administrator group
\n2. Adding an impersonation button to the List page
\n3. Showing the button only to administrators
\n4. Switching to the selected user
\n5. Redirecting after impersonation
\n6. Adding an impersonation banner
\n7. Styling the banner
\n8. Returning to the administrator session<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Preparing the login table and administrator group<\/h3>\n

This tutorial assumes that database authentication and user group permissions are already configured in PHPRunner. The table used for authentication must also be included in the project and have a List page that administrators can open.<\/p>\n

The sample project uses first_name<\/strong> as the username field. Replace first_name<\/strong> in the code below if your login table uses another field.<\/p>\n

We will also use Administrators<\/strong> as the administrator group name. Replace it with the group name used in your project.<\/p>\n

2. Adding the impersonation button to the List page<\/h3>\n

Open the login table’s List page in Page Designer and switch to Advanced Grid. Select a grid cell, then use Insert \u2192 Custom button \u2192 New button<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Set the button label to ‘Login as this user’ and place it inside the grid row. Select the button and set its Item ID<\/strong> to:
\n‘login_as_user’<\/p>\n

The Item ID is important. It is the value used by hideItem()<\/strong> in the next step. You can select the button in Page Designer and find its Item ID in the properties panel on the right.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Showing the button only to administrators<\/h3>\n

Open Events \u2192 login table \u2192 List page \u2192 After record processed<\/strong> and add the following PHP code:<\/p>\n

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