WordPress Block Editor
The University of Mary Washington web redesign uses the WordPress Block Editor for all new content. The Block Editor lets you build custom layouts per page using predefined block types. The Digital Communications team is in the process of migrating all UMW sites into the block editor and will continue to update this guide throughout the process.
Inserting Blocks
There are a few ways to insert new blocks on a page. The easiest way to do this is by clicking on the blue button with a plus sign (+) in the top left corner of the editor. This will open the block gallery where you can select a block from the list or search for a specific block.
If you know the name of the block your are trying to insert, you can start a new line of plain text by typing “/blockname” to quickly access the block you need.
You can also insert blocks by using the “mini-picker” by placing your cursor in the empty space between any two blocks until a blue line with a plus sign button in the center appears. Click the button to access the “mini-picker” that will show six quick options and provide a search function. You can also select “Browse all” to open the full block gallery from here. This method can be tricky because the placement of your cursor needs to be precise, so we recommend using one of the other two options for a more reliable experience until you are comfortable with the interface.
Block Options
When working with the WordPress Block Editor, you will notice a menu on the right-hand side of your screen. If you do not see this menu or close it, you can click on the “Settings” button that looks reminiscent of a window with a right-hand menu. Here you will see two menu headings: Page and Block.
The page menu is primarily informational showing things like page visibility and the URL. At the very bottom of this menu is a dropdown titled “Exclude Pages” with a checkbox. If you want your page to show up in your sidebar navigation, make sure this box is checked. If your page should not show up in sidebar navigation, uncheck the box.
The block menu houses settings and information specific to the block you have selected in the editor. The displayed information is different for every block, so be sure to pay close attention to what block you have selected before you start making changes to the settings.
Using Blocks
The following resources detail what each block is and how they can be used on your site.