How to Bulk Convert Classic Blocks to Gutenberg in WordPress

When updating to WordPress 5.0 or higher, older content may appear in the Classic block within the new editor. If you have a large number of posts, converting these Classic blocks to Gutenberg blocks one by one can be time-consuming.

Luckily, there’s an easier way to bulk convert them.

At WPBeginner, we originally used the Classic Editor but switched to Gutenberg when it launched. This meant converting older posts from Classic blocks to Gutenberg, giving us hands-on experience with the process.🔄

Over time, we’ve mastered this transition, making it smooth and efficient.⚡

In this article, we will show how to easily bulk convert classic blocks into Gutenberg blocks on your WordPress site.

Why Convert Classic Blocks to Individual Gutenberg Blocks?

If you have had a WordPress blog for a long time, then chances are that some of your posts were written using the older classic editor.

This older content will now appear inside the Classic block in the post editor.

By converting the classic block into individual Gutenberg blocks, you will gain more control and flexibility over your content.

You can easily edit your post by working with individual blocks. You will also be able to take advantage of the customization options available for each block in the sidebar on the right.

This makes it easy to edit content and build more engaging layouts with features like columns, image galleries, and buttons—things the Classic Editor didn’t offer.

That being said, let’s see how to easily bulk-convert classic blocks to Gutenberg in WordPress. We will cover 2 methods, and you can use the quick links below to jump to the one you want to use:

• Method 1: Convert Classic Block to Gutenberg Using Default Settings
• Method 2: Bulk Convert Classic Block into Gutenberg Blocks
• Bonus Tips and Tricks to Use the Block Editor
• Video Tutorial
• Frequently Asked Questions About Converting Classic Blocks to Gutenberg

Method 1: Convert Classic Block to Gutenberg Using Default Settings

If you want to convert a single post or page from the Classic block into individual blocks, then this method is for you.

First, you need to edit the post and page where you want to convert the blocks. You can do this by heading to the Posts » All Posts page in your WordPress dashboard and then clicking on the ‘Edit (block editor)’ link under the post.

This will open your post in the Gutenberg editor. From here, simply click on the ‘Convert to blocks’ button in the toolbar at the top of the Classic block.

The Classic block will now be converted into individual Gutenberg blocks.

You can now also access all the block settings for individual blocks from the right column. If you cannot see this panel, then click on the gear icon at the top right of the editor.

Once you are done, don’t forget to click the ‘Update’ button to save your changes.

Method 2: Bulk Convert Classic Block into Gutenberg Blocks

If you want to easily convert the Classic block into Gutenberg blocks for all the old posts and pages immediately, then this method is for you.

First, you need to install and activate the Convert to Blocks plugin. For more instructions, please see our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

The plugin streamlines the conversion process. Once activated, it automatically converts any post or page from the Classic block into individual blocks the moment you open it in the editor.

This saves you from having to manually click the ‘Convert to blocks’ button for each post, making it a great time-effective tool.

Remember that the bulk conversion will not affect the layout of your posts on the front end, so the posts will look the same on your WordPress website.

This is how the same post looked on our demo site after converting it from Classic to individual blocks.

Once you have opened and updated all of your older posts, the plugin has done its job. You can then safely deactivate and delete the Convert to Blocks plugin to keep your site tidy.

Bonus Tips and Tricks to Use the Block Editor

Now that you are using the block editor on your WordPress site, you can access some great features that are unavailable in the classic editor.

For example, you can use the group and column blocks to group different elements together like images, headings, and paragraphs.

You can create visually appealing layouts for your pages and posts with it. For details, you can see our tutorial on how to change block width and height in WordPress

Similarly, you can use the ‘Embed’ block to insert content from third-party sources like YouTube, Discord, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can even use the Cover block to seamlessly integrate text and media content within a single block.

Other than that, you can also add functionalities like tables, buttons, separators, nested blocks, and more to your content.

For details, you can see our step-by-step guide on how to use the WordPress block editor.

Video Tutorial

Not a fan of written instructions? Check out our tutorial on how to bulk convert blocks in WordPress:

Subscribe to WPBeginner

Frequently Asked Questions About Converting Classic Blocks to Gutenberg

Here are some questions that our readers frequently ask about converting the classic blocks to Gutenberg in WordPress:

Will converting blocks break my site?

No, in most cases, converting Classic blocks to individual Gutenberg blocks will not break your site’s appearance.

The main change happens in the back-end editor, giving you more control over individual elements. We always recommend spot-checking a few important posts or pages after the conversion just to be safe.

Can I undo the conversion?

The bulk conversion using the plugin is a permanent change and cannot be easily undone. Once the classic content is converted into blocks, there isn’t a reversal button.

This is why creating a complete WordPress backup before you begin is a critical step. If you run into any issues, you can restore your site from that backup.

Is the ‘Convert to Blocks’ plugin free?

Yes, the ‘Convert to Blocks’ plugin we mentioned in the second method is completely free. You can find and install it directly from the official WordPress plugin directory.

We hope this article helped you learn how to bulk convert classic blocks into Gutenberg blocks in WordPress. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide on how to add a blog post checklist to the WordPress editor and our top picks for the best full site editing themes.

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.