Switch to Gutenberg block editor
In 2018, WordPress released the Gutenberg block editor, which provides predefined blocks to allow users to build custom page layouts and content without any coding knowledge.
What is Gutenberg?
WordPress released the Gutenberg block editor with WordPress version 5.0 back in 2018.
Gutenberg works by using predefined blocks that allow users to build their own custom page layouts and content without any coding knowledge.
You can read more about using the block editor in the WordPress Block Editor Handbook.
Why are we switching?
Gutenberg allows for much greater and easier customisation of pages and posts. With the widespread release of the Gutenberg editor, we can also release our custom University blocks that will make it considerably easier for regular users to utilise our digital pattern library (DPL) options.
WordPress is constantly releasing patches and upgrades for Gutenberg. It has come a long way since its initial release and we feel users would benefit from being able to use these new features.
Gutenberg blocks might at first seem difficult to use and hard to navigate but, from our experience, once you get used to the new user interface, it’s considerably easier to build pages.
When are we switching?
In the coming weeks we will be removing the Classic editor plugin from our list of Network activated plugins. This means that, by default, all of our WordPress sites will use the Gutenberg block editor.
Pages and websites that were still using the Classic editor will automatically be converted to the Gutenberg editor. WordPress will move the content on these pages into a Classic block that will retain the original content and formatting.
If you want to take full advantage of what the Gutenberg editor has to offer, we’d recommend converting this content to blocks. WordPress has a built-in feature to do this, though it’s also completely fine to leave this content in the Classic block.
We’re also releasing a set of new University-styled blocks using the DPL for use with the University theme.
You can read more about what we’re releasing on our Developing custom blocks for WordPress blog and see the full list of new blocks available at University blocks.
Sticking with Classic
If you would prefer to stick with the Classic editor, you can do so by enabling the plugin on your website.
Re-enabling the Classic editor plugin will revert all of your existing pages that previously used the Classic editor to their original state.