It finally happened. Not writer’s block but block editor. While the rest of the world struggled with the “new” block editor, I was happily posting with the classic editor. I had found the convenient toggle that allowed me to choose block or classic. All was right with my world. I posted and wrote and posted… Then a couple of days ago, everything changed. When I opened my blog, my familiar desktop was gone. In its place was this alien layout and no choice. I just about had a stroke. I fussed and fumed for a couple minutes (okay maybe it was about a day) and then figured I might as well get on with life. With a little research I determined that there was a “Classic Editor” plugin that would allow me to go along as I had been. I found it, downloaded, and installed it. On my computer. Sadly to get it downloaded into WordPress I would have to upgrade to a commercial website at the cost of $300 USD per year!!!
I was not to be deterred. I tried to familiarize myself with the functions and features. Then I decided to write this post. All was going well – I managed a block, then another. The big problem was in inserting a poem. First, I write my poetry in word and copy and paste into the posts. That resulted in 14 new blocks as each line was a new block. Grrrrr! I deleted. Then I tried to do it in code editor instead of visual editor. Well, I have Sparky the computer programmer available to assist. He was no help! His advice? Google it! Yep. He decided that my best bet was to ask the internet for assistance. Fast forward 3 hours. I finally figured out the HTML code that I needed to use (and how to use it). With extreme effort I managed to get a poem inserted into this post as a single block with line breaks like a poem should look! I was mentally exhausted. and then I realized I’d copied the poem from last week! Because it took me so long and took so much work, I jotted some notes, deleted the poem and then rolled into bed.
Here we are but there isn’t a poem. I figured out the Tags and the scheduled post feature. I didn’t figure out how to insert a photo. I was grinding my teeth considering the learning curve for Block Editor photo insertion. Then like a clap of thunder and a flash of lightning I remembered Pensitivity101‘s post about retrieving the classic editor which was a link to this post. Eureka! And just like that I’m back to the Classic Editor and my world is beautiful once more!
Now you’ve got me slightly concerned that the crap editor I’ve been using isn’t actually the new block editor. That is a puzzle for another day.
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If it is a struggle to insert anything and a hard return results in a new block then you are using the block editor… Going back to the classic editor was easy and I have no regrets!
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At first, I hated it, and then I said to myself that even though it seemed complicated, it couldn’t possibly be that complicated because it was designed for regular people (not techies). And I sort of stopped looking at it as a screwed up version of the old editor and just approached it with fresh eyes… and I more or less found everything that I needed.
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It was difficult – it was frustrating – it was not intuitive – it was not designed for poets. I think the basis for the new block editor was to make it easier to insert ads and use it for monetized blogs. I did it. I survived. I would have figured out the insertion of photos. But I missed the quick and easy Classic Editor. Now I have the new editor with the classic editor dashboard so that once again life is easy (it was that more or less that caused the problem – since I found it to be more of the less).
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Good thing I didn’t sign up with word press, I would be completely lost. Have enough trouble with xanga.
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Word press Classic is just like Xanga in the way you post. That was the big draw….
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You story, Val, is a adventure titled “lost in the editor marsh” that got a good end ! đ
Sparky is a wise man !!! đ
Love â¤
Michel
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Hehe! Thanks Michel. Sparky as a computer expert was not helpful… Still the internet came through for me.
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I am so glad there was a happy ending to your travail. We all need our comfort zones.
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Yes. That is it exactly – comfort. I’m sure I could have mastered the Block Editor but I really didn’t want to expend that much mental energy….
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I’ve been using Blocks since it came out. There’s a learning curve, but once I got it, I found a lot of things were easier. BUT I think the main deal is people don’t want to deal with it which makes sense.
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I was so frustrated trying to put a poem into the block without adding new blocks for each line… Now that I’m aware of the issue I see so many people who gave up and have their poetry with widely spaced lines. What is your secret to getting the lines of your sonnets written as a stanza??
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If you hit enter you will get a new block. Instead of that, at the end of a line, use shift/enter. That will keep everything in the same block. I pretty much keep everything in one block. If you do “shift/enter” in your word processor your poem might look weird in the document but right on the post. I compose mine on my post and then copy/paste onto my word processor. Let me know… đ
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Oooh! Thanks! Good to know since I’m keeping a list of helpful hints in case the Classic Editor disappears again.
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I will read this when I get home. I’m currently at the lake and don’t have time to give it the attention that it deserves.
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The lake sound much more interesting than anything on WP!! Enjoy!
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You can choose different types of blocks. If you choose “verse” your poem will be in one block. It will also be in italics… I haven’t figured out how to fix that yet.
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And where do you find these “block” choices?? You will have to show me…
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I like you user the classic editor. I hate the block editor. I feel like it limits the number of pictures to share because something goes wrong and I get frustrated and give up
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I hope you can follow the instructions at the link in the post – it wasn’t that hard and the payoff was huge in my opinion!
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It’s just uploading pictures that block editor makes complicated.
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If I figure out any helpful hints, I’ll let you know…
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Thanks
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You are welcome…
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been there done this several times now! The pain and disappointment can’t be overstated … have done 2 x posts in block but still using classic, phew đ
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It really does put a hole in my zen, but I’m better now trying to go with the flow. I guess it is prepare for the worst while doing my best…
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exactly, too many are finding WP changes too much but we should just cut back … it would be too sad for ppl to retire altho I know a few are close đŚ
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It always worries me when friends disappear. Usually it is just a pause in posting but too many have either shut down their blogs or sadly passed away… I still get birthday notifications through FB for people who are gone. The digital age still has problems.
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too many for my liking!
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yes. Sadly…
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WP is changing a lot nowadays. A few days ago the whole panel changed. It takes time to get used to the changes. Hopefully one day you will too get comfortable. Technology and changes happen fast.
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I don’t really mind technological advances, I like cutting edge innovations. That said, change for the sake of change irritates me especially when those changes make things more difficult instead of easier!
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I get you. And at times the changes are frequent which is really, ‘What?’ In fact the tech should make it easier. Rightly said.
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Thanks!
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I still use the classic editor. Here’s a link on how if you are interested. I hate the new editor so I stick with the classic. đ
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Well, apparently, not a link,,,,but still.
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I’m on the classic editor. I was able to use that same link and go back… I am however attempting to take notes to ensure that if the classic editor really disappears I will be able to jump into the block editor without too much grinding of teeth!
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