In WordPress 5.0, the classic content editor was replaced with a brand new block editor, known as Gutenberg. Since then, several of our readers have asked us to create a comprehensive tutorial on how to use the Gutenberg block editor in WordPress.
WordPress block editor is a totally new and different way of creating content in WordPress. In this tutorial, we will show you how to use the new WordPress block editor and master it to create visually stunning blog posts and pages.
What’s The Difference Between Block Editor (Gutenberg) and Classic Editor?
Before we dive into the new editor, let’s first compare and understand the differences between Gutenberg Block Editor and the Classic Editor.
Here is what the classic editor in WordPress looked like:
If you upgrade to WordPress 5.0, then this is what the new block editor looks like:
As you can see, they are two completely different editors for creating content in WordPress.
The old classic editor was a text editor with formatting buttons very similar to Microsoft Word.
The new editor uses a totally different approach, called ‘Blocks’ (hence, the name Block Editor).
Blocks are content elements that you add to the edit screen to create content layouts. Each item you add to your post or page is a block.
You can add blocks for each paragraph, images, videos, galleries, audio, lists, and more. There are blocks for all common content elements and more can be added by WordPress plugins.
How is the new WordPress block editor better than the classic editor?
The new WordPress block editor offers a simple way to add different types of content to your posts and pages.
For example, previously if you wanted to add a table in your content, then you needed a separate table plugin.
With the new editor, you can simply add a table block, select your columns and rows, and start adding content.
You can move content elements up and down, edit them as individual blocks, and easily create media-rich content.
Most importantly, the new WordPress block editor is easy to use and learn.
This gives an immense advantage to all WordPress beginners who are just starting their first blog or building a DIY business website.
That being said, let’s take a look at how to use the new WordPress block editor like a pro to create great content.
Here is what we will cover in this Gutenberg tutorial:
- Using Gutenberg – The new WordPress block editor
- Creating a new blog post or page
- How to add a block in Gutenberg
- Working with blocks in the new editor
- Saving and reusing blocks in Gutenberg
- Publishing and post settings in Gutenberg
- Plugin settings in new editor
- Adding some common blocks in Gutenberg
- Exploring some new content blocks in Gutenberg
- Bonus tips on using Gutenberg like a pro
- Adding more blocks to Gutenberg Block Editor
- FAQs about Gutenberg
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Using Gutenberg – The New WordPress Block Editor
The block editor is designed to be intuitive and flexible. While it looks different than the old WordPress editor, it still does all the things that you were able to do in the classic editor.
Let’s start with covering the basic things that you did in the classic editor, and how they are done in the block editor.
Creating a New Blog Post or Page Using The Block Editor
You will start creating a new blog post or page like you normally would. Simply click on Posts » Add New menu in your WordPress admin. If you are creating a page, then go to Pages » Add New menu.
This will launch the new block editor.
How to Add a Block in Gutenberg
The first block of every post or page is the title.
After that, you can use the mouse to move below the title or press the tab key on your keyboard to move down and start writing.
By default, the next block is a paragraph block. This allows users to start writing right away.
However, if you want to add something different, then you can click on the add new block button on the top left corner of the editor, below an existing block, or on the left side of a block.
Clicking on the button will show the add block menu with a search bar on top and commonly used blocks below.
You can click on tabs to browse block categories or type in the keyword to quickly search for a block.
If you don’t want to use a mouse to click on the button, then you can use a keyboard shortcut by typing / to search and add a block.
Working with Blocks in The New Editor
Each block comes with its own toolbar which appears on top of the block. The buttons in the toolbar would change depending on the block you are editing.
For example, in this screenshot, we are working in a paragraph block which shows basic formatting buttons like: text alignment, bold, italic, insert-link, and strikethrough buttons.
Apart from the toolbar, each block can also have its own block settings which would appear in the right column of your edit screen.
You can move blocks up and down by simple drag and drop or by clicking the up and down buttons next to each block.
Saving and Reusing Blocks in Gutenberg
One of the best things about blocks is that they can be saved and reused individually. This is particularly helpful for bloggers who frequently need to add specific content snippets to their articles.
Simply click on the menu button located at the right corner of each block’s toolbar. From the menu, select ‘Add to reusable blocks’ option.
You will be asked to provide a name for this reusable block. Enter a name for your block and then click on the save button.
The block editor will now save the block as a reusable block.
Now that you have saved a block, let’s see how to add the reusable block into other WordPress posts and pages on your site.
Simply edit the post or page where you want to add the reusable block. From the post edit screen, click on the add block button.
You will find your saved block under the ‘Reusable’ tab. You can also find it by typing its name in the search bar.
You can take your mouse over it to see a quick preview of the block. Simply click on the block to insert it into your post or page.
All reusable blocks are stored in your WordPress database, and you can manage them by clicking on the ‘manage all reusable blocks’ link.
This will bring you to the block manager page. From here, you can edit or delete any of your reusable blocks. You can also export reusable blocks and use them on any other WordPress website.
Publishing and Managing Options in Gutenberg Block Editor
Each WordPress post contains a lot of metadata. This includes information like publish date, categories and tags, featured images, and more.
All these options are neatly placed in the right column on the editor screen.
Plugin Options in Gutenberg
WordPress plugins are able to take advantage of the block editor’s API to integrate their own settings within the edit screen.
Some popular plugins are already available as blocks. For example, WPForms, the best WordPress form builder plugin allows you to add forms into your content using a widget block.
Here is how Yoast SEO allows you to edit your SEO settings in the new editor:
WooCommerce also comes with widget blocks that you can easily add to any of your WordPress posts and pages.
Adding Some Common Blocks in New Editor
Basically, the new editor can do everything the classic editor did. However, you will be doing things way quicker and elegantly than before.
1. Adding an image in new WordPress editor
There is a ready to use image block in the new WordPress editor. Simply add the block and then upload an image file or select from the media library.
You can also drag and drop images from your computer, and the editor will automatically create an image block for it.
Once you have added an image, you will be able to see the block settings where you can add metadata for the image like alt text, size, and add a link to the image.
2. Adding a link in new block Editor
The block editor comes with several blocks where you can add text. Most commonly used one is the paragraph block which comes with an insert link button in the toolbar.
All other commonly used text blocks also include a link button in the toolbar.
You can also insert a link using the keyboard shortcut, which is Command + K for Mac and CTRL + K on Windows computers.
3. Adding an image gallery in Gutenberg
The gallery block works like the image block. You add it and then upload or select image files.
4. Adding shortcodes in WordPress posts using Gutenberg
All your shortcodes will work just like they did in the classic editor. You can simply add them to a paragraph block, or you can use the shortcode block.
Exploring Some New Content Blocks in Gutenberg
The Gutenberg editor promises to solve some long-standing usability issues in WordPress by introducing some new blocks.
Following are some of the favorites that we believe users will find immensely helpful.
1. Adding an image next to some text in WordPress
Using the old editor, many of our users were unable to place an image next to the text. You can do this now with the Media & Text block.
This simple block comes with two blocks placed side-by-side allowing you to easily add an image and add some text next to it.
2. Adding a button in WordPress posts and pages
Adding a button to your blog posts or pages was another annoyance in the classic editor. You either had to use a plugin that created a shortcode for the button, or you had to switch to HTML mode and write code.
Gutenberg comes with a button block that allows you to quickly add a button to any post or page.
You can add a link for your button, change colors, and choose from three button styles.
3. Adding beautiful cover images in blog posts and landing pages
Another cool feature that you may want to try is the ‘Cover’ block, which allows you to add cover images to your posts and pages.
A cover image is a wider image often used as a cover for a new section in a page or the beginning of a story. They look beautiful and allow you to create engaging content layouts.
Simply add a cover block and then upload the image you want to use. You can choose an overlay color for the cover or make it a fixed background image to create parallax effect when users scroll down the page.
4. Creating tables inside articles
The classic editor didn’t have a button to add tables into your WordPress posts. You had to use a plugin or create a table writing custom CSS and HTML.
New Gutenberg editor comes with a default Table block, which makes it super easy to add tables into your posts and pages. Simply add the block and then select the number of columns and rows you want to insert.
You can now go ahead and start adding data to table rows. You can always add more rows and columns if needed. There are also two basic style options available.
5. Creating multi-column content
Creating multi-column content was another issue that the classic editor didn’t handle at all. The block editor allows you to add Columns block, which basically adds two columns of paragraph blocks.
This columns block is quite flexible. You can add up to 6 columns in a row and even use other blocks inside each column.
Bonus Tips to Use Gutenberg like a Pro
Looking at the new block editor, you may be wondering whether you will be spending more time adding and adjusting blocks than creating actual content?
Well, the new editor is incredibly fast and even very basic usage for a few minutes will allow you to instantly add blocks without even thinking.
Pretty soon you will realize how much faster your workflow will become with this new approach.
For power users, here are some bonus tips to help you work even faster with the new WordPress editor.
1. Move the block toolbar to the top.
As you may have noticed in the screenshots that there is a toolbar that appears on top of every block. You can move this toolbar to the top of the editor.
Simply click on the three-dot button at the top right corner of the screen and then select the Top Toolbar option.
2. Use keyboard shortcuts
Gutenberg comes with several handy shortcuts that will make your workflow even better. The first one you should start using right away is the /.
Simply enter / and then start typing, and it will show you matching blocks that you can instantly add.
For more shortcuts, click on the three-dot menu on the top-right corner of your screen and then select ‘Keyboard Shortcuts’.
This will bring up a popup with the list of all the keyboard shortcuts that you can use. The list will have different shortcuts for Windows and Mac users.
3. Drag and drop media to automatically create media blocks
Gutenberg allows you to just drag and drop files anywhere on the screen and it will automatically create a block for you.
You can drop a single image or video file, and it will create the block for you. You can also drop multiple image files to create a gallery block.
4. Adding YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo, and other embeds
Gutenberg introduces new embed blocks to the block editor. There is a block for all supported embed types including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and more.
However, you can just copy and paste the embed URL at any point, and it will automatically create a block for you.
For example, if you added a YouTube video URL, it will automatically create a YouTube embed block and display the video.
Adding More Blocks to Gutenberg Block Editor in WordPress
The new block editor in WordPress allows developers to create their own blocks. There are some awesome WordPress plugins offering block bundles for the new editor.
Here are a few of them:
Advanced Gutenberg comes with several blocks for popular content elements like WooCommerce product slider, testimonials, maps, counter, tabs, accordions, and more.
It also gives you advanced control on which users can access blocks based on their user roles. You can create user profiles and select which blocks they can add.
2. Stackable – Gutenberg Blocks
Stackable – Gutenberg Blocks is a collection of beautifully designed Gutenberg blocks that you can use on your website. It includes blocks for the container, posts, feature grid, accordion, image box, icon list, call to action, and more.
Editor Blocks is another neat collection of Gutenberg blocks that you can use. It comes with useful blocks like author profile, hero image, pricing table, brands, features, and more.
FAQs about Gutenberg – The New Block Editor in WordPress
Since Gutenberg became the new WordPress editor, we have been getting a lot of questions. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Gutenberg.
1. What happens to my older posts and pages? Can I still edit them?
Your old posts and pages are completely safe and unaffected by the Gutenberg. You can still edit them, and Gutenberg will automatically open them in a block containing the classic editor.
You can edit them inside the old editor, or you can convert older articles into blocks and use the new block editor.
2. Can I still keep using the old editor?
Yes, you can still keep using the old editor. Simply install and activate the Classic Editor plugin.
Upon activation, it will disable the block editor, and you will be able to continue using the classic editor.
Please note that Classic Editor will be supported until 2022.
3. What to do if the new editor doesn’t work with a plugin or theme I am using?
Project Gutenberg was under development for a long time. This gave plugin and theme authors plenty of time to test their code for compatibility.
However, there is still a chance that some plugins and themes may not work well with the new editor. In that case, you can install the classic editor plugin, request the developer to add Gutenberg support, or simply find an alternative plugin or theme.
4. How to learn more Gutenberg tips and tricks?
WPBeginner is the best place to learn about the new block editor in WordPress. We are the largest WordPress resource site on the internet.
We will be publishing new articles and updating our old resources to help you master the new block editor.
Meanwhile, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us by leaving a comment or by using the contact form on our website.
We hope this Gutenberg tutorial helped you learn how to use the new WordPress block editor. You may also want to see our complete WordPress performance guide for improving your website speed.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Do you know if they have been able to fix the scrolling issue in the block editor? It is really annoying that you can’t scroll to the bottom of the block section without having to go to the Settings section and scroll there. I have googled and googled some more, and I am not finding a solution. Thanks so much!
Unless I hear otherwise, the error shouldn’t be an issue but you could reach out to the WordPress.org support for if the specific error you are running into was resolved.
Come on, folks. These are not the people who created WordPress. These are the people who are kind enough to help you adjust to the blocks. How many times do they need to tell you to install the Classic Editor plugin if you don’t like blocks? I don’t know if I like blocks or not, but I feel more confident in testing them after reading this introduction. Thank You!
Glad our article could help
Hi, after I installed WordPress 5.1 , using Gutenberg if go to write text, on top of first word one line will come . I am not getting what’s issue. Can tell how to solve this
Have you tried disabling all of your plugins to see if this could be a plugin specific issue?
I’ve found no way to wrap text around images. Am I missing something or is this not as popular as I thought?
You would want to use the Media&Text block to have your text wrap with the block editor
Is there a way to still code in html in the block editor?
I ask this because the block editor inserted an extra wide space between 2 lines which I did not want. I could and did use the classic editor’s text option to get rid of the extra space.
Yes, you can use the ellipses in the top right to swap to HTML or you could use a classic block if you only wanted to edit a specific section in HTML
I grudgingly started using this new block mentality, and I wasn’t happy about it. I am glad I found your article, though, because it has made navigating this new concept much easier.
Wondering if anyone has had this experience though. While adding tags to my Document, I will add the tags, hit enter and the little box doesn’t expand at all. I have NO idea how to see my tags that I have entered.
I use WooThemes – Canvas
Very frustrating experience right now.
If you have not already, you may want to try disabling your plugins and/or swapping themes to see if it is a conflict with one of those that is preventing the auto-expanding tag section from displaying properly.
Maybe one day I will figure out how to use this, but at the moment it seems impossible. I have used over a dozen word processors, and various web editors, but that experience is not helping me now.
I would like to indent a number of paragraphs. Sounds simple, but I have not found a way to do it. What is the use of having a paragraph block that can’t indent?
Last time I gave up on putting in a table and went back to editing HTML in the old system.
While the paragraph block does not have an indent option at the moment, should you use the block editor again you could add an indent using the Classic block
So the concept of allocating a Template to a new page is gone?
As far as I can see, when you are making a new page ‘from blocks’ there is not way to select a template that you may have constructed in the old way? (i.e. the drop down for templates is no where to be seen).
You would want to check under page attributes to set the template for a page if your current theme has templates.
How do you increase font size in a list block? I have looked everywhere. I am new to WordPress and find it not very user friendly but I’m trying to get the hang of it. I need to be able to increase list block font size. Please help.
You would need to manually add CSS to change that font size or you could use a plugin such as CSS Hero:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/css-hero-review-wordpress-design-customization-made-easy/
For how to find the CSS you need to change you can use inspect element which we explain how to use in our article here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/basics-of-inspect-element-with-your-wordpress-site/
I just installed the new Word Press (blocks) and I am having trouble because Ido the title block fine, then whatever I type for the second block appears duplicated when I do the preview: I see that block under the title TWICE in the post. What am I doing wrong?
You may want to check with your theme’s support to ensure that this is not a style of your specific theme
I’m trying to navigate the new Block editor. I’m simply looking for the “read more” button that you use to be able to simply click a button on the Classic editor and it would place the “read more” button to divide the text on the home page.
It was renamed into the More block
How do I increase the size of my block, I have read through the guide several times. You did not address that.
If I want to increase the writings in a block, how do I do that, and is it possible to join two block?
It would depend on what you’re trying to change. You can copy and paste the content then remove the block you moved the content from but there is not a simple merge button at the moment. If you’re looking for the font size, that is normally governed by your theme’s CSS
I can’t figure out how to do a “read more” option so that the first few sentences of a blog show up as a preview on the main blog page. Any insight? Also is there a way to change the colour of the font of hyperlink? Thanks!!
You would want to add the More block to use the read more function. For the hyperlink color, you would want to modify the CSS, you can test the color changes you want to make using inspect element then copy the custom CSS to your Appearance>Customize>Additional CSS section: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/basics-of-inspect-element-with-your-wordpress-site/
Great introduction, thank you!
You’re welcome
Under the classic edit I could place a picture within a paragraph and keep everything inside the margins. I have not been able to do it with Guttenberg. I have followed the instructions re: media-paragraph block and it appears to work fine. But when I switch to preview it places the picture before the paragraph. If I simple add a new bloick I can only place the picture left or right but then it is outside the margins of the script – which does not look good. Very frustrating. Looking for help.
Your browser window may not be wide enough for the text to not automatically be placed below, you would want to reach out to the support for your specific theme to see if the styling needs to be updated for it to work with the block editor.
I have followed your instructions for placing an image next to text in the new Gutenberg Editor. It looks fine – until I click on Preview. It then shows up as a large picture prior to the text. I have been unable to get it to transfer into Preview correctly
If you are on mobile it may be stacking the text and image due to the advanced settings for the image in that block.
Since this new format will no longer size my Fotolia cover photos as they wereiin the old editor, (I need them wide and narrow) I chose The Cover Block which widened and narrowed the photo. I put the title in the center of the cover block. The article says no title (obviously) so I need to change the permalink. I can’t delete the uncategorized and the number after it to put the proper permalink in. Just trying to work things out without going back to the old editor. Can’t find any info on changing this permalink. Hoping this makes sense. Thank you for this tutorial, it’s very helpful.
For editing your image’s size you may want to use an image editor such as one in our article: https://www.wpbeginner.com/showcase/tools-to-create-better-images-for-your-blog-posts/
If you have your category in your permalink then you would need to change your category and manually save your draft for the permalink to update to the new category.
Hi, how do I assign a menu to the footer bar wo it appearing underneath as well? Atm I create a custom footer menu. By assigning it to ‘Footer menu’ in Dashboard/Appearance/Menus it automatically appears on the page. If I now assign it to the footer bar I’ll have the menu twice.
Here’s the problem: If I DON’t assign ‘footer menu’ to my custom footer menu it’s not available in the footer bar editor.
Your theme may have a specific setting that could be causing an issue. If you reach out to your specific theme’s support and let them know about it not appearing/appearing twice
I don’t have time to learn a new editor. Nor do I want to. Change is not always good. I have lost days of work. Thanks!
If it was better, then Microsoft Word would operate like Gutenberg. Really doesn’t matter. It needs to operate in a way we all know. Not some fancy theoretical method. Productivity is key, and if we cannot make it work, we have lost productivity. We dont need a better mousetrap, simply one that works. I guess I have to find another site platform.
I and I guess many others find it counter intuitive. There was once a button to use the Classic editor but now I cannot find it. I don’t want to keep adding plugins to my sight. They are fraught with bugs.
We are not in control of the development of WordPress, we try to help people understand how to use WordPress. Not all plugins are fraught with bugs, you may want to take a look at the plugin here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-disable-gutenberg-and-keep-the-classic-editor-in-wordpress/
I have been so confused and it already feels time consuming trying to learn this new way if doing things. As someone who is not tech savvy but really enjoys diy, this has set me back. Your article has definitely been helpful though so a huge thank you!
Glad our guide could help, if you wanted to revert to the old editor for the time being you could also take a look at: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-disable-gutenberg-and-keep-the-classic-editor-in-wordpress/
I find this Gutenberg time-consuming and not worth the effort, yet I feel I must make it work.
However, I am not seeing those marks at the left of the blocks, and can’t figure out how to move them.
Also, when I insert a pull quote it messes up the spacing of the other blocks and I can’t figure out how to fix that either.
For the quote, you may want to check with your theme’s support about the styling. For the icons on the left, they should appear when you hover your mouse near the block’s left side as long as you have more than one block. You may want to expand your browser window to see if that allows you to see them.
Thank you. I figured out what the issue is. I have to enable Jet Pack for the icons to show. The weird thing is, I have to enable it for each post individually. I still hate this “improvement”.
Thanks for the helpful post. I haven’t tried WP Blocks yet, but it looks like it could be useful. I’ve been using Elementor for the past eight months and Blocks seems similar.
Can I make templates w/ blocks so that I can use the same layout on many pages/posts?
Thanks again.
The block editor does not have that level of customization at the moment, the closest to what you’re asking would be a reusable block: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-create-a-reusable-block-in-wordpress/
Hi,
I upgraded to WordPress 5 and my updates page tells me I have the latest version. I have no gutenburg block editor, however. I see that the classic editor is activated on my list of plug ins. I’d like to try the block editor, but don’t know if it’s installed as I didn’t reactivate the classic editor after the update. What should I do? Just deactivate the classic editor? or use the prompt to re install WordPress 5? or something else? Goes without saying that I’ll back up first. Please advise
Hi Mike,
You can deactivate classic editor plugin to start using Gutenberg. You may also want to see our guide on testing your site for updating to Gutenberg.
I am trying to learn the new Gutenberg by practicing writing a post. My problem is after so many paragraphs the yoast plugin block is in front of the paragraphs so I can’t see what I am typing.
You may want to reach out to the support for the Yoast plugin to let them know about that for them to take a look into it.
I have started edit with blocks and after a certain number I also can’t add any more. Is there a max page length for using blocks? The Yoast Plugin is at the bottom of the page but I don’t know it that is stopping additional blocks.
By default, there is not a max height. If you are being prevented from adding blocks by a plugin, if you reach out to that plugin’s support they should be able to assist in avoiding that issue.
Block editing is not working at all on my site. It refuses to update and will not save any of my changes. I’m a little confused, how is this so much better? And there’s this huge tutorial on how to use it? That’s not making my life easier.
Sadly as it is a new WordPress feature there are bugs that are being worked out for different types of sites. For the time being, you can use the old editor with: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-disable-gutenberg-and-keep-the-classic-editor-in-wordpress/
This Gutenberg is a real disappointment. I have 31 writers at who, with WordPress prior, could create superb health care articles, simply, right on the page – letting the content creative juices flow. Now, we have ANGRY writers, stumbling around in some batch of idiot boxes, losing focus – sending me whole articles via e-mail attachment for ME to figure out.
I ran out of swear words in the first 24 hours.
These people remind me of the Coca-Cola “New Coke” debacle.
Want to help? Start with what Gutenberg can ADD to a page or post, then go back and show how to do it using blocks. I am up for new things – but show me WHY I would want to do that, first.
i like your site
Glad you like our site
Hi
How well tested for responsiveness across various devices is Gutenberg ?
Chris
Really good article. I’m not a fan of this so far.
A couple reasons are:
1. I don’t see how to change the font face.
2. I can’t re-size table cell widths by dragging.
3. I don’t really need blocks.
WordPress developers will likely start creating tools to expand the block editor and give those controls but to revert to the old editor you could use: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-disable-gutenberg-and-keep-the-classic-editor-in-wordpress/
Today I tried to add a giphy gif but error showed could not embed. I tried some blocks and created 3/4 posts. Multi column blocks is a new information. Thanks.
Good article.
Thanks Rama, glad you found it helpful
So many things to upgrade on wordpress (ex. Search fuction), but nooooo, lets change something that works and make it harder, more time consuming and confusing. Hey investors, we now have a hipster editor, look how great we are.
Gutenberg should be something optional and not mandatory.
Hi Archer,
You can always install the Classic Editor plugin to keep the old editor