How to use the WordPress Visual Editor
The WordPress text editor offers two options for creating and editing content: the visual editor and the text editor.
- When to use the visual editor
- What can you change while using the visual editor
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. What is the WordPress Visual Editor, and how do I access it?
- 2. How do I format text in the Visual Editor?
- 3. Can I add images to my content using the Visual Editor?
- 4. How do I add links to my content?
- 5. Is it possible to embed multimedia content like videos or audio files?
- 6. Can I create tables in the Visual Editor?
- 7. How do I undo or redo changes in the Visual Editor?
- 8. What if I accidentally delete something? Can I recover it?
- 9. How do I preview my content before publishing it?
- 10. Is there a way to switch to the Text Editor for more control over the HTML code?
- 11. How do I add headings and subheadings to my content?
- 12. Can I change the font size and style of my text?
- 13. What are blocks, and how do I use them in the Visual Editor?
- 14. How do I rearrange blocks within my content?
- 15. Is it possible to customize the appearance of blocks?
- 16. How do I add a blockquote to my content?
- 17. Can I create a bulleted or numbered list in the Visual Editor?
- 18. How do I add custom HTML code to my content?
- 19. Is there a way to collaborate on content creation within the Visual Editor?
- 20. How do I save my content in the Visual Editor? Is it auto-saved?
When to use the visual editor
The visual editor is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor that allows you to create and format content without any knowledge of HTML or CSS. It provides a user-friendly interface with a toolbar that resembles popular word processing software.
The visual editor is best suited for users who are not familiar with coding or prefer a more intuitive way of creating content.
It allows you to easily format text, add images, create links, and apply basic styling such as bold and italics. The visual editor also provides a live preview of how your content will appear on the website, making it easier to visualize the final result.
However, it’s important to note that the visual editor may not be suitable for all types of content.
If you need to add custom code, make advanced formatting changes, or have more control over the HTML structure of your content, you may need to switch to the text editor.
What can you change while using the visual editor
The visual editor in WordPress offers a range of features that allow you to create and customize your content. Here are some of the things you can change while using the visual editor:
Text Formatting
The visual editor provides options for basic text formatting, such as bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough. You can easily apply these formatting styles to selected text or remove them if needed.
Additionally, you can change the font size and color of your text, align it to the left, center, or right, and create bulleted or numbered lists.
Inserting Media
The visual editor allows you to easily insert images, videos, and other media into your content. You can either upload files from your computer or choose from the media library.
Once inserted, you can resize and align the media, add captions, and set alternative text for improved accessibility.
Creating Links
Adding links to your content is straightforward in the visual editor. You can highlight the text you want to turn into a link and click the link button in the toolbar.
This will open a dialog box where you can enter the URL and choose whether the link should open in a new tab or window. You can also link to other pages or posts within your website.
Styling Options
The visual editor provides several styling options to enhance the appearance of your content.
You can apply heading styles (e.g., H1, H2, H3) to create a hierarchical structure, making it easier for readers and search engines to understand the content’s organization.
Additionally, you can add block quotes, insert horizontal lines, and change the background color of specific sections.
Table Creation
If you need to display tabular data, the visual editor allows you to create tables. You can specify the number of rows and columns, add or remove cells, and merge or split cells as needed.
This makes it easy to organize and present data in a structured manner.
Undo and Redo
The visual editor includes undo and redo buttons that allow you to revert or repeat your recent changes. This can be useful if you make a mistake or want to experiment with different formatting options without losing your previous work.
Conclusion
The visual editor in WordPress provides a user-friendly interface for creating and formatting content. It is ideal for users who prefer a WYSIWYG approach and do not have coding knowledge.
With its range of features, you can easily format text, insert media, create links, apply styling, create tables, and undo/redo changes.
However, for more advanced customization and control over the HTML structure, the text editor may be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the WordPress Visual Editor, and how do I access it?
The WordPress Visual Editor is a user-friendly interface that allows you to create and edit content without any knowledge of HTML or CSS.
To access it, simply log in to your WordPress dashboard, click on “Posts” or “Pages” to edit an existing one or “Add New” to create a new one.
You’ll then see two tabs at the top-right corner of the editor: “Visual” and “Text.” Click on “Visual” to enter the Visual Editor.
2. How do I format text in the Visual Editor?
Formatting text in the Visual Editor is quite simple. Just highlight the text you want to format and use the toolbar provided above the editor.
You can make text bold, italic, underline, change font colors, align text, create bulleted or numbered lists, and more.
3. Can I add images to my content using the Visual Editor?
Yes, you can easily add images to your content using the Visual Editor. Click on the (+) icon within the editor and select the “Image” block.
You can then upload an image from your computer or select one from your media library. Once added, you can resize, align, and add captions to the image as needed.
4. How do I add links to my content?
Adding links in the Visual Editor is straightforward. Highlight the text you want to turn into a link, then click the link icon in the toolbar or press Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on Mac).
A popup will appear where you can enter the URL you want to link to and set options like whether the link should open in a new tab.
5. Is it possible to embed multimedia content like videos or audio files?
Absolutely! WordPress supports embedding multimedia content from various platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, and more. To embed multimedia content, simply paste the URL of the video or audio file on its own line in the editor. WordPress will automatically convert it into an embedded player.
6. Can I create tables in the Visual Editor?
Yes, you can create tables in the Visual Editor. Click on the (+) icon and select the “Table” block. You can then specify the number of rows and columns for your table. Once created, you can easily add content to each cell and format the table using the toolbar options.
7. How do I undo or redo changes in the Visual Editor?
To undo or redo changes in the Visual Editor, you can use the undo and redo buttons in the toolbar or use keyboard shortcuts. Press Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo changes and Ctrl+Shift+Z (Cmd+Shift+Z on Mac) to redo changes.
8. What if I accidentally delete something? Can I recover it?
WordPress has a built-in feature called “revisions” that automatically saves previous versions of your content as you edit it.
If you accidentally delete something, you can revert to a previous revision by clicking on the “Revisions” option in the document settings menu (the three dots in the top-right corner of the editor).
9. How do I preview my content before publishing it?
You can preview your content before publishing it by clicking on the “Preview” button in the top-right corner of the editor. This will open a new tab where you can see how your content will look on the live site.
10. Is there a way to switch to the Text Editor for more control over the HTML code?
Yes, you can switch to the Text Editor by clicking on the “Text” tab at the top-right corner of the editor. This will allow you to directly edit the HTML code of your content.
However, be cautious when making changes in the Text Editor, especially if you’re not familiar with HTML, as it can affect the appearance and functionality of your content.
11. How do I add headings and subheadings to my content?
You can add headings and subheadings in the Visual Editor using the formatting options provided in the toolbar.
Simply select the text you want to format as a heading and choose the appropriate heading level from the dropdown menu in the toolbar.
12. Can I change the font size and style of my text?
Yes, you can change the font size and style of your text using the options available in the toolbar. You can choose from different font sizes, styles (such as normal, italic, or bold), and even apply custom CSS classes if needed.
13. What are blocks, and how do I use them in the Visual Editor?
Blocks are the building blocks of content in the WordPress editor, allowing you to add various types of content elements such as paragraphs, images, videos, galleries, and more.
To add a block, simply click on the (+) icon and choose the type of block you want to add.
14. How do I rearrange blocks within my content?
To rearrange blocks within your content, simply click and hold on the block you want to move, then drag it to the desired position. You’ll see a blue line indicating where the block will be placed once you release the mouse button.
15. Is it possible to customize the appearance of blocks?
Yes, you can customize the appearance of blocks using block settings and additional CSS classes.
Click on the block you want to customize, and you’ll see options in the sidebar for adjusting settings specific to that block. You can also add custom CSS classes to blocks for further styling.
16. How do I add a blockquote to my content?
Adding a blockquote is simple. Click on the (+) icon, select the “Quote” block, and then enter the text you want to quote. You can also customize the appearance of the blockquote using the block settings in the sidebar.
17. Can I create a bulleted or numbered list in the Visual Editor?
Yes, you can create bulleted or numbered lists using the list block. Click on the (+) icon, select the “List” block, and then choose whether you want a bulleted or numbered list. You can then start typing to add items to the list.
18. How do I add custom HTML code to my content?
To add custom HTML code to your content, switch to the Text Editor by clicking on the “Text” tab at the top-right corner of the editor.
You can then directly input your HTML code. However, exercise caution when using custom HTML to ensure it doesn’t interfere with the functionality or styling of your site.
19. Is there a way to collaborate on content creation within the Visual Editor?
Yes, WordPress supports collaboration on content creation through plugins like CoSchedule or Edit Flow. These plugins allow multiple users to work on the same piece of content simultaneously, track changes, leave comments, and manage editorial workflows.
20. How do I save my content in the Visual Editor? Is it auto-saved?
WordPress automatically saves your content as you edit it, so you don’t need to worry about manually saving. However, if you want to ensure that your changes are saved, you can click the “Save Draft” button in the top-right corner of the editor. Additionally, WordPress periodically autosaves your content in the background.