Gutenberg is the future of WordPress; that is what developers are saying. So better get to know how to use it now. Gutenberg is another editor for WordPress. We all are used to using Classic Editor, but times have changed, and it’s time to upgrade to a better version of the Editor available on WordPress. In this article, we will answer the question – what is Gutenberg block editor and tell you everything you need to know about it.
Let’s start from scratch; down below, you can see the content table for our article.
What is Gutenberg block editor
As I mentioned already in the introduction, Gutenberg is a new WordPress editor; instead of Classic Editor, many users are switching to Gutenberg due to its advanced functionality. And better UI. However, for those who are used to Classic Editor, change can seem a bit tough, but believe me, it is worth it.
Gutenberg block editor is part of WordPress updates 5.0 version, and it completely changed the way your site operates in terms of how you create posts, pages, ad images, etc.
Gutenberg Overview
Now easy-to-use and intuitively understandable site builders are way more popular. In order to stay up to date and satisfy its users, WordPress added Gutenberg block editor as the new Editor.
The style of Gutenberg Editor is simple and visually attractive. Everything is straightforward to learn and remember.
This is how it looks.
When you click here, you can see the plus button appear and choose what you need; it can be an image, button, H2 or H3 heading, paragraph, etc.
If you cannot find what you need by clicking on the plus button, you can also see the search line.
For example, type “Divider or Separator” on the search line, and you will easily find the block/element you need.
Main features
There are many fascinating features on WordPress\s Gutenberg block editor which worth exploring. Some of the main features are listed down below:
- Blocks
- Dynamic options
- Document outline
- Anchor support
- Tables
- Buttons
- Others
And now, we will review each and every feature listed above in more detail.
Blocks
Every piece of content on WordPress has its blocks. Let’s say you want to create a paragraph block; you just click on the “+” button and click on the paragraph. Or, if you want to add an image to your article, you again click on the “+” button and add an image block.
This is an excellent feature, and it makes using the WordPress editor process much easier compared to the Classic Editor, where all your content was going to the one piece. Therefore Gutenberg blocks editor makes it easier for you to organize or reorganize your content.
Dynamic options
Dynamic options are basically new methods to handle the content on your website. Gutenberg shows you options for the specific block you are currently editing. To see the options it offers for the particular block, click on that block, and then on the right side of the toolbar, click on the “block.”
Options on the sidebar change when you click on a different block; for instance, for the paragraph and the image, you have different options displayed on the toolbar—a comparison of which you can see on the image down below.
Document Outline
Gutenberg Editor also shows the word count in your document, how many blocks it contains, and allows you to see the overall view of how many headings you added to your article.
Also, you can add a ready table of contents instead of creating it from scratch.
Anchor Support
One more great upgrade that we have in Gutenberg Editor is anchor support/ Let me explain what it is about. It allows you to easily add HTML anchors. Anchors can be added to blocks by using HTML anchor, e.g., for headings. Also, in the screenshot down below, you can see how to do that.
This feature is pretty cool, especially if you want to link back to a specific heading in your article, later on, the other block, or on the separate piece of content, you create.
Tables
The use of tables had been incredibly challenging on the previous Editor, but Gutenberg made it very easy by creating a separate tables block in its Editor toolbar.
To create a table in the past, you either had to download a plugin or use an HTML code; now, you can just click on the “+” button and add the table you need. Also, you can customize your table by selecting the necessary number of rows and columns in it.
Buttons
Gutenberg introduced a button block, which is pretty impressive. Cause even though buttons are quite simple tools to be available for use, it was a troublesome task to add those on the previous Classic Editor.
You can create a button block, then edit its color, shape, and text. Also, you can add links to your button by clicking on it, then by clicking on the link sign.
Others
Change fonts and sizes, make your article look visually pleasing, drag and drop images function, embed options, and many other features that Gutenberg offers are great.
Bonus feature?
Gutenberg editor is the best thing WordPress could’ve invented; it made everything a lot easier, including adding block quotes. You do not have to design or create a quote to differentiate it from the text; you just have to click on the “+” button and easily add a quote block by typing in the search line quotes. On the screenshot down below, you can see how that block looks.
Pros and Cons
Within the new Editor comes a long list of pros and some cons, basically as with any new invention. I will suggest starting from the pros, which are:
Pros
- Blocks: The variety of Blocks Gutenberg offers quite impressive
- Time: It is easy to learn how to use Gutenberg, and it saves lots of time because it gives you the opportunity to add any type of blocks just by clicking the “+” button and typing what you need
- UI: It has a user-friendly interface, so even for beginners, it won’t be hard to use
- FullScreen Mode: Gutenberg is a visual editor with fullscreen mode to avoid any distractions
- Mobile-Friendly: Gutenberg’s Editor is highly responsive to all screen sizes. If you need to edit something quickly and your laptop is not nearby, you can cause your iPad, tablet, or mobile phone to do that.
- All information in one place: No matter is a block, is it a word count, heading, or paragraph? You do not need to use any other extensions to access necessary features; it all is in one place.
Cons
- Shortcuts: Some shortcuts do not work
- Plugins: Its early versions caused some disturbances with the plugin operating speed, but developers solved that issue
And as you can see, the pros overweight the cons; therefore, updating Gutenberg Block Editor is definitely a good thing to do.
Why is it better to upgrade to Gutenberg editor?
Gutenberg Editor is literally the best thing invented by WordPress; it makes everyone’s life easier, plus it is highly customizable. First of all, you have separate blocks for everything. Therefore, you can add any type of block you would need to your article effortlessly. Secondly, it helps you better structure and organize your article, therefore making it more readable. Thirdly plugins such as Yoast SEO and suggested improvements by it, visually, are easier to edit in Gutenberg’s Editor rather than in the Classic Editor. And, of course, every other pro we mentioned in the paragraph above, including adding anchor links, etc.
Summary
To summarize the article I can say that in any case, the final choice is yours. Personally, I would recommend going with the Gutenbergs Block editor in order to make everything easier and more organized. Gutenberg helps you to better visualize your content, and see it as the user will see it, therefore easier to point out and edit visual communication mistakes. Paying attention to the overall structure and visual elements helps you to create a high-quality user experience. Believe me, it is not really that hard to switch from the Classic one to the New Gutenberg one, (but it will be highly beneficial for you and your website) especially if you watch a few video tutorials. Links on which you can find down below.
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Hi, dear Harley. I really liked your article. Please inform me if I can add Audio files to my article with the Gutenberg Block Editor? I don’t want to install a special plugin for that.
Hi, dear Mark Jonathan. Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, sure you can add audio files via the Block Editor. You do not need to activate a new plugin for that action :))