Understanding Gutenberg: The New Block-Based Editor in WordPress at UC Irvine
Understanding Gutenberg: The New WordPress Editor
Gutenberg is the innovative block-based editor that was introduced in WordPress 5, replacing the traditional TinyMCE editor. This shift marks a significant transformation in the way content is created and managed on WordPress platforms.
Embracing a New Way to Create Content
With Gutenberg, users can easily incorporate various media types and organize their layout using distinct blocks. This feature allows for a more versatile and visually appealing presentation of content than ever before.
Why Transition to the Gutenberg Editor?
The primary motivation behind the redesign of the WordPress editor is to make it more user-friendly, particularly for those who may not have coding skills. As Matt Mullenweg, the founder of WordPress, stated:
“The Gutenberg editor aims to create a new page and post-building experience that makes writing rich posts effortless, utilizing blocks to simplify what previously required shortcodes, custom HTML, or complicated embed discovery.”
Is the Classic Editor Still Available?
For users of UCI Sites, the Classic Editor plugin has been installed to restore the previous editing experience. However, starting from September 2019, any new sites will default to the Block Editor.
If you haven’t switched to the Block Editor yet, you can enable it whenever you’re ready. It’s important to note, though, that the Classic Editor plugin will not be supported indefinitely. WordPress plans to discontinue support for the Classic Editor plugin by December 31, 2021.
Additionally, Gutenberg offers a Classic WordPress Editor block, allowing users to continue utilizing TinyMCE formatting options within the new interface.
Ready to Explore Gutenberg?
As you navigate through these changes, take the time to explore the features and capabilities that Gutenberg has to offer. Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress user or a newcomer, this new editing approach is designed to enhance your content creation experience.