WordPress released the Gutenberg block editor back in 2018. At first, all the global users cry out against it. You may well remember those days. We all were showing less enthusiasm for this new WordPress editor. The interface was somewhat complex. And the classic editor seems more fitting than ever.
But since then, Gutenberg gradually develops itself quite excellently. And eventually, it became popular. However, the questions regarding the Gutenberg block editor never stop. It has a lot of features which you can easily find. But there are many more things that people keep asking to learn.
So, in this blog, we will show you the most frequently asked questions on Gutenberg and their answers. Hence, you will also get some potential tips to get the best out of this powerful WordPress content editor.
Let’s begin.
Answering 13+ FAQ on Gutenberg with Useful Tips
We have got tons of questions on Gutenberg since it’s been released. They vary from basic level to queries on advanced user experience. As time goes by, the questions center more on tips. People want to know how to apply different Gutenberg hacks that turn editing experience awesome.
Well, we have a detailed guide on several best Gutenberg tips. We will share the article with you later. Here we are including the top most asked questions people never stop asking. Take a look at them one by one.
1. What is Gutenberg?
Gutenberg is the name of the new WordPress content editor. WordPress launched it in November 2018 with the platform’s 5.0 updates. Unlike the classic editor, it uses different blocks so that you can create and edit content effortlessly.
According to WordPress, Gutenberg Editor is more customizable and feature-rich to create web posts and pages. It has enhanced capabilities to use images, videos, permalink, tables, and unlimited integration.
2. What are Blocks and How to Use Blocks?
The new WordPress editor comes with blocks. Blocks are separate elements that combine all the content on your page. So you can call the blocks as content layout elements in the new text editor.
Blocks are a great new tool for building engaging content. With blocks, you can insert, rearrange, and style multimedia content with very little technical knowledge.
WordPress
Here are some common features that can help you understand the blocks even more.
- Media library/HTML for images, multimedia, and approved files.
- Pasted links for embeds.
- Shortcodes for specialized assets from plugins.
- Featured images for the image at the top of a post or page.
- Excerpts for subheadings.
- Widgets for content on the side of a page.
For example, whenever you want to write something, you can find every necessary thing at hand in every block. So when you work with a single paragraph or image, you can work solely on it. Any other part of your content won’t be affected by the changes you make in a single block.
3. Are My Themes and Plugins Compatible with Gutenberg?
You can’t use Gutenberg unless you’ve installed a WordPress version from 5.0 or above. Any plugins and themes with such WordPress competency are OK with Gutenberg.
Moreover, it’s normal to use an updated version than this since it’s been almost two years Matt Mullenweg introduced Gutenberg to the world. Almost all the modern plugins and widgets may never cause trouble in this regard.
Hence, if you still have a technical glitch, it’s better to check if the product authors release any upgrade. You can also contact your plugin and theme developer to solve this issue. I hope they respond ASAP.
4. What are the Keyboard Shortcuts of Gutenberg?
Gutenberg does have a lot of keyboard shortcuts. And they are amazing. Therefore, it’s a continuous process to find out them and apply them in the needed situations. Here we are including a chart consists of the most common keyboard shortcuts of Gutenberg WordPress editor.
Editor Shortcuts
Selection Shortcuts
Block Shortcuts
Text Formatting Shortcut in Guttenberg
5. Is there Still any Alternatives to Block Editor?
Gutenberg the latest arsenal of WordPress content editing. It is better for you to get used to it with more expertise. WordPress always has an elaborate plan for this. Maybe they are planning to turn the block editor into more like a web page builder.
However, if you still want to an Gutenberg alternative, you can always shift back to the classic editor. To do this, follow the instructions below.
at the top menu bar in your block editor, click on the dot menu in the upper left side. Then you just click to “Switch to Classic Editor”. Thats it.
6. Can I build Web Page with Gutenberg Block Editor?
The answer is somewhat affirmative for now. Gutenberg allows you more inventiveness in content editing. Even you can design a basic feature-rich web page with it. As it is more collaborative to third-party page builders like Elementor and Happy Addons.
For example, if you already have Elementor, integrate powerful Happy Elementor Addons in your WordPress site. Gutenberg can easily merged with these third-party tools and let you create amazing and responsive web pages.
However, if you want to create simple web pages by adding images, changing fonts, and inserting multi-medias, Gutenberg is handy to do such things. Yet, it offers a basic layouts while building any pages.
Hence, you can always stretch your vision for a more enhanced experience. Until then, Page builder integration will serve you well enough.
7. How to Insert and Edit Images in Gutenberg?
This is more like tips rather than frequently asked questions on Gutenberg. However, we often get this query. So, include it in the list. WordPress is always been nourishing a drag and drop eco in website building. However, it’s not that easy to insert images in the classic editor.
But in Gutenberg, you directly drag an image. Hence, the best way is to insert an image using the image block. Let’s follow the steps below.
Add a new block and click on Image.
You can upload images from your computer, Media Library of your site, and even from a URL. Choose any option to upload a photo. You can add links to the image and set alignments at ease.
As we are talking about editing images, you can’t edit the elements like brightness or saturation. However, it’s possible to edit the image size. Here’s what you need to do-
Go to your media file. And select an image you want to edit. Click on edit option.
In the next page will can change the image dimension by pixels. Also set the aspect ratio if it needs to crop.
Finally, you can apply these changes to all images size or the thumbnail size.
8. How to Increase Font-Size in Gutenberg?
Changing font size is more dynamic in Gutenberg editor. Also, you can easily set drop cap to any paragraph at ease. To change font size, put your cursor in any text or block in the editor. You will see the font customizer.
Here, you can edit or customize font size, also can select a default preset. To set a drop cap, turn on the slide just below the font customizer.
9. Does Gutenberg Allow Editing Post/Pages from The Front-end?
The answer is no. You can’t do front-end editing with Gutenberg. According to WordPress, they introduce Gutenberg as a replacement for page editing screens. However, people often get confused and mixed up front-end editing with the new Gutenberg editor.
The new block editor aims to provide all the content editing features that improve your experience. While front-end editing is a different kind of thing. However, to ease the process, you can always integrate your WordPress site with a plugin like WP User Frontend.
10. Does Gutenberg Support Any Shortcodes?
Yes. Gutenberg does have the support to use shortcodes. It’s almost similar when the TinyMCE based classic editor allows us to use them.
You can find a separate shortcode block in the editor. Which lets you put any types of relevant codes you want.
However, WordPress introduces Gutenberg as a revolution over using shortcodes. The indeed keep the option open, but it is highly recommended and easier to choose a block in the wide-array of block options. That sounds simpler, don’t you think?
11. How to Embed Videos in Gutenberg?
You don’t need to copy any embed video code anymore in the new block editor. To add a YouTube stream, you need to do the following.
Add a new block. And find YouTube in the search box. Click on the YouTube block.
Now insert the link you want to add. Click on embed.
However, if you want to stream video link from another platform or upload a new one, you can choose the “Video” block instead.
So, you can see, adding a video is a few seconds away in this new WordPress block editor.
12. How Can I Manage My Old Posts in the Gutenberg Block Editor?
After you have updated your site into WordPress 5.O, all of your old posts will be under new block editor. That means, you can edit those posts using new editor. Therefore, you can also keep using classic editor to manage them.
In any updated version of WordPress, you will see option for both editing with classic or Gutenberg aka block editor.
Also, you can always switch to the classic editor even if you open an old post with the block editor. To do this, go to the top left corner, and click on the ‘three-dot’ and you will see the option.
13. Is it possible to disable the Block editor?
Though, it won’t be a smart decision as Gutenberg turn itself into a very handy and user friendly WordPress editor. Hence, if you still want to use the classic editor instead of the new one, it’s possible. To do this you can install this “Classic Editor” plugin.
If you install this plugin, you can disable Gutenberg and keep using your old favorite editor. However, WordPress wants you to get accustomed to the block editor. Though you can keep using this plugin at least until 2022. Eventually, WordPress will showcase the classic editor sooner or later.
14. Where Do I find Gutenberg Support?
Usually, Gutenberg don’t have any technical glitch right now. However, if you have any issues, may be the problem lies in your themes and plugins versions. So, check it if they are well updated. If you still face the glitch, and need help, contact with your plugin and theme developer.
However, it’s always welcome in the WordPress communities to support each other. You can let your fellow users know about your issues. You can find such communities and forums in WordPress.org and alternative WordPress repository like WPHive.
15. Where to Learn More about Gutenberg Block Editor?
Well, you can always get help from the Happy Addons blog in this regard. We have published several blogs on Gutenberg Block Editor. Therefore, you can always ask questions in the comments section. Also, we plan to keep updating this FAQ on Gutenberg based on your questions. So, you can bookmark this article in your browser.
Bonus: Tips on WordPress Gutenberg Editor
As we have promised earlier, here is the guide on proven Gutenberg tips. It surely will help you to master the WordPress content editor as soon as possible.
Top 20 Proven Tips To Master Yourself In WordPress Content Editor
Yet, the best tip is this: there’s no end to it. If you keep inventing the new Gutenberg block editor, maybe you are going to find a new hack each day. What you need to do is save these tips and apply them properly.
Final Thoughts
So, we think these are the most commonly asked questions on Gutenberg. Have you found any of them useful? If yes, we are happy to hear your opinion. If not, don’t ever hesitate to ask us in the comments section.
Furthermore, to enhance your experience with building beautiful web pages, start Elementor and HappyAddons as excellent math with the new WordPress content editor.
