Block Patterns
Block patterns are one of the most underappreciated WordPress editor features, offering pre-designed layouts that combine multiple blocks into reusable sections. Think of them as templates for common design elements, such as a hero section or a call-to-action. There are lots of existing patterns you can use—but you can also create and save your own custom patterns.
How to Use Existing Patterns:
- In the Block Editor, click the “+” icon and switch to the “Patterns” tab.
- Browse through the available patterns or search for specific ones.
- Click to insert a pattern into your page or post, then customize it as needed.
How to Create and Save Your Own Block Patterns:
- Design a layout using blocks in the Block Editor.
- Select the blocks you want to include in your pattern and group them if necessary.
- Open the options (three-dot) menu of the selected group of blocks and choose “Create Pattern.”
- Give your pattern a name and choose whether you want to sync the pattern or not. If you plan to edit the pattern each time you use it, don’t sync your pattern.
Learn more about block patterns in WordPress’s documentation.
Inline Image Editing
Inline image editing lets you crop, rotate, and adjust images directly from the Block Editor without needing external tools, making it a quick and seamless alternative to external software like Photoshop or Canva. This feature eliminates the need to switch platforms, saving time and streamlining your workflow.
How to Use Them:
- Add an image block and upload your image.
- Click the “Crop” icon or access additional editing options within the toolbar.
- Apply changes like cropping, rotating, or adjusting the aspect ratio.
Learn more about image block controls.
Quick Edit
The Quick Edit feature allows you to make small changes to a page or post without opening the full editor.
How to Use It:
- In your post or page list, hover over the title and click “Quick Edit.”
- Modify details like the title, slug, categories, or publishing status.
Discover more about Quick Edit.
Scheduled Posts
Scheduled posts allow you to set a future date and time for content to go live. This can be helpful if you wish to time the publishing of your content with a marketing campaign or press announcement.
How to Use It:
- In the editor, click the “Publish” button dropdown and select “Schedule.”
- Choose your desired date and time, then Save your post or page.
Custom Permalinks
Custom permalinks allow you to create clean, user-friendly URLs for your pages and posts, which can improve SEO and make links more memorable.
How to Use Them:
- In the post or page editor, locate the “Permalink” section in the settings sidebar.
- Creating clean, descriptive permalinks is essential because it helps search engines understand your content and makes your links easier for users to read and share.
- Edit the URL slug to match your content’s focus or desired keywords.
- Ensure the slug is short, descriptive, words are separated by dashes (-), and avoid unnecessary words.
Learn more about custom permalinks.
Openverse Integration
Openverse is a built-in WordPress feature that gives you access to a library of over 800 million free-to-use stock images directly from your WordPress dashboard.
How to Use It:
- While editing a post or page, click the “Add Media” button or insert an Image block.
- Select the “Openverse” tab to browse the vast collection of media.
- Search for specific keywords and insert the desired image into your content.
Block Editor View Options
The Block Editor’s view options provide various tools to customize your editing environment, helping you focus on specific tasks or reduce distractions. For example, a content editor working on a long blog post can use Spotlight Mode to stay focused on one block at a time, or Fullscreen Mode to eliminate distractions.
Personally, my favourite view is Top Toolbar—it provides access to all of the WordPress editor tools, ensuring you have every option you need readily accessible at your fingertips.
How to Use Them:
- Open the Block Editor and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Explore options such as:
- Top Toolbar: Consolidates all block and document tools in a single location.
- Fullscreen Mode: Hides the admin navigation for a distraction-free writing experience.
- Spotlight Mode: Focuses on the block you’re editing by dimming surrounding content.
- Distraction-Free Mode: Removes all toolbars and menus for a minimalist editing view.
Learn more about the Block Editor view options.
Final Thoughts
By incorporating these underappreciated WordPress editor features into your workflow, you’ll save time and effort while creating more polished and effective content. Each tool, from Block Patterns to Openverse, enhances efficiency and provides editors with powerful resources. For instance, Block Patterns can simplify design tasks with pre-built layouts, and Custom Permalinks make your URLs more user-friendly and SEO-optimized. Explore these tools today and let them elevate your content editing game.
