Mastering Gutenberg blocks: A comprehensive list and guide for WordPress
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Key takeaways:
- Gutenberg blocks: The backbone of the WordPress Gutenberg editor, enabling easy, flexible content creation.
- Wide Range: A vast array of blocks for various content types enhances customization and design.
- Customization: Blocks offer diverse settings for detailed customization, allowing unique webpage designs.
- Advanced techniques: Incorporating advanced blocks and custom HTML expands creative possibilities beyond basics.
Unlock the full potential of your WordPress site with Gutenberg blocks, the essential tools for crafting dynamic, responsive content with ease and precision.
What are Gutenberg Blocks in WordPress?
Gutenberg Blocks are the core elements of the WordPress Gutenberg editor, designed to simplify content creation. They allow users to add, customize, and arrange multimedia content with ease, offering a user-friendly interface for building diverse and engaging web pages. From basic text and images to advanced functionalities like galleries and buttons, Gutenberg Blocks provide a comprehensive set of tools for website design and content management.
Table of contents
Getting started with blocks
To get started, navigate to the official WordPress Gutenberg pageĀ and explore the extensive documentation and resources available. This page serves as a valuable reference point, providing insights into each block’s purpose, customization options, and best practices for implementation.
You can refer to online tutorials and guides, such as the Gutenberg Handbook and Gutenberg Courses, which offer in-depth training and practical examples to enhance your proficiency with Gutenberg blocks.
Blocks: The core of Gutenberg
Understanding blocks:Ā
Gutenberg blocks are a part of the Gutenberg editor at the core of WordPress. They represent a major shift in the way content is created and managed, providing a user-friendly and flexible system for creating and customising websites.Ā WordPress block templates (WP block templates) offer pre-built sections to easily design your website layout without coding.
Definition and purpose of Gutenberg blocks:
Gutenberg blocks are individual units of content that can be combined to create a website layout. They serve a dual purpose: they simplify the creation of rich content and provide a visual representation of the website structure, allowing users to customise their web pages more easily and efficiently.
Types of blocks:
WordPress offers a wide range of Gutenberg blocks for different content types and functions. The most common blocks include paragraph, image, heading, list, and more. Each block type offers unique features and allows for a higher level of customization and flexibility when designing your web pages.
Adding a Gutenberg Block:
- Navigate to the post or page you want to add the block to.
- Click the ” button found in the upper left corner of the Gutenberg editor.
- Search for the type of block you want to add or browse through the available blocks.
Customising Gutenberg blocks:
- Click the block you want to customise.
- Use the available options in the right sidebar to customise the block’s settings. These settings vary depending on the block type.
What are Gutenberg blocks?
Paragraph Block
The Paragraph Block is the foundation for adding written content to your posts or pages. With this block, you can easily add and edit text.
Heading Gutenberg Block
The Heading Block is a tool in Gutenberg that allows you to create headings and subheadings with different levels of hierarchy. By using different heading levels, you can emphasize important information, break up long amounts of text, and provide visual cues to guide readers through your content. Whether youāre creating a blog post, an article, or a webpage, the Heading can help you create well-organized and engaging content.
Image Block
It is a feature that allows users to insert and modify images within their content. Adding relevant images can break up large blocks of text and make it more engaging for readers.Ā
Gallery BlockĀ
The Gallery Block is a feature in Gutenberg that allows you to create image galleries with various layout options. You can display your images in different styles, including grids, slideshows, and stacked layouts. Itās a useful tool for photographers, artists, or anyone who wants to showcase their work attractively. The Gallery Block is also user-friendly and customizable, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users.
Quote Block
The Quote Block is a useful tool for highlighting important excerpts or quotes from your content. Using a Quote Block, you can break up long sections of text and emphasize important information, making your content more engaging and accessible. Quote Blocks can add visual interest to your page and create a more dynamic reading experience.
List BlockĀ
The List Block is a useful tool for creating bulleted or numbered lists in your content. It can help you organize information clearly and concisely, whether youāre outlining steps, highlighting key points, or summarizing information. With the ability to customize the style of your lists and add subpoints, the List Block is essential for creating visually appealing and informative content. It also makes it easy to update or revise your lists without having to reformat your entire document.
Button BlockĀ
The Button Block is a feature that allows you to add buttons with customized links to your content. You can also customize the size, colour, and text of the button to match your brandās aesthetic.Ā
Audio BlockĀ Ā
The Audio Block is a feature that allows website owners to include audio files on their site for visitors to listen to. With the Audio Block, you can enhance the user experience by providing engaging audio content and increasing the time visitors spend on your site. It also offers an opportunity to showcase your brandās unique personality and style through audio content.
Table BlockĀ Ā
This feature is especially useful for creating comparison charts, pricing tables, or any other type of content that requires a tabular layout.Ā
Code block
A code block is a useful tool for displaying code snippets or examples with proper syntax highlighting.Ā
Separator Block
This is a useful tool for visually dividing different sections of your content. By adding a horizontal line, you can make it easier for readers to distinguish between different topics or ideas within your article or webpage. The Separator Block is a simple yet effective way to enhance the structure and flow of your writing, ensuring that your message comes across loud and clear.
Spacer BlockĀ
The Spacer Block is a useful tool for improving the layout of your designs. Whether youāre designing a website, brochure, or any other type of content, using Spacer Blocks can help you achieve a more professional look.Ā
Columns BlockĀ Ā
The Columns Block is a useful tool for creating engaging content with multi-column layouts.Ā
Cover BlockĀ
The Cover Block is a versatile tool for creating visually striking cover images or videos with text overlay. Itās an excellent option for websites that want to grab the attention of their visitors right from the start. With customizable features, you can tailor your Cover Block to match your brandās aesthetic and messaging. You can add background images, videos, and overlay text to create a stunning visual impact. The Cover Block is an essential tool for any website builder looking to create an engaging and immersive user experience.
Code Editor Block
Code Editor Blocks is a useful tool that provides a full-screen editor to make changes to HTML, CSS, or JavaScript code. This feature is particularly helpful for users who want to work on their website’s design or functionality and need to access the code directly. With the Code Editor Block, users can easily edit their code in a distraction-free environment. This block is a must-have for those who want to take full control of their website’s customization and ensure that it meets their desired specifications.Ā
Custom HTMLĀ
s a feature that allows you to embed custom HTML code into your content. It provides flexibility and customization options that are not available through standard blocks in the WordPress editor.Ā
Shortcode Block
In WordPress, the Shortcode Block is a feature that allows you to add and execute shortcodes to enhance your websiteās functionality. Shortcodes are small codes enclosed in square brackets that trigger specific actions or display content on your site. By using Shortcode Blocks, you can easily add custom functionality and features to your WordPress posts and pages without needing to write complex code. Common uses of shortcodes include embedding videos, displaying social media feeds, and creating contact forms.
Latest Posts Block
The Latest Posts Block is a useful feature that allows you to display your most recent blog posts on your website.Ā
Categories Block
This Block is a useful tool that displays a list of categories or allows filtering by category. With this Block, users can easily navigate through sections of your website and find the information theyāre looking for.Ā
Archives Block
The Archives Block is a feature that can display a monthly archive of your blog posts. This allows visitors to easily browse through your past content and find articles that interest them.Ā
Search Block
A search block is a needed feature of any website that allows users to quickly and easily find what they’re looking for on your site. It typically consists of a search form where users can enter keywords or phrases related to their query.Ā
Calendar Block
A Calendar Block is a useful tool for displaying a calendar on your website that includes links to your posts or events. By using a Calendar Block, you can create a visual representation of your content schedule that can be easily updated as needed.Ā
Tag Cloud Block
Tag Cloud Blocks are a visual representation of the tags used on your website. It displays a collection of words, with the size of each word indicating its frequency or popularity on your site. The more frequently a tag is used, the larger it appears in the cloud.Ā
RSS Block
The RSS block is a handy tool that allows you to showcase RSS feeds from other websites on your own.Ā
These blocks provide a wide range of functionality and customization options to create engaging and dynamic content in WordPress using the editor.
What are blocks?
Blocks are the building blocks of content in WordPress Block Editor, and WordPress block templates allow you to pre-assemble these blocks into stunning layouts, saving you time and effort in crafting your pages and posts.
FAQs for Gutenberg Blocks
What are Gutenberg Blocks in WordPress?
Gutenberg Blocks are the individual content elements that make up the Gutenberg editor in WordPress. They allow users to add, edit, and style multimedia content within posts and pages with ease.
How do I add a new Block in Gutenberg?
Click the “+” (plus) icon inside the editor to open the block library. Choose the block you want to add from the list or search for a specific block by typing its name.
Can I customize the style of a Block?
Yes, most blocks come with their own set of customization options which can be found in the right sidebar when a block is selected. Options can include color, typography, spacing, and more.
Is it possible to reuse a Block in Gutenberg?
Yes, you can save any block as a “Reusable Block” to easily insert it into other posts or pages. Just select the block, click on the three dots in the toolbar, and choose ‘Add to Reusable Blocks.’
How do I move Blocks up or down in my post?
Each block has a toolbar with up and down arrow buttons that allow you to move the block relative to others in your post or page.
Can Blocks be nested inside other Blocks?
Yes, certain blocks like the “Group” block or “Columns” block are designed to contain other blocks within them.
What is a Group Block?
A Group Block allows you to group multiple blocks together as one unit, making it easier to style and move them collectively.
How do I convert a classic post or page to Gutenberg Blocks?
Edit the post or page, then click on the “Convert to Blocks” option within the Classic Block to convert its content into Gutenberg Blocks.
Are Gutenberg Blocks mobile responsive?
Yes, blocks are designed to be responsive. However, the actual responsiveness may depend on the theme you are using.
Can I add custom CSS to a Block?
Yes, you can add custom CSS to most blocks via the “Advanced” section in the block settings located in the right sidebar.
How do I create a custom block pattern?
Custom block patterns require some coding knowledge. You can register a custom block pattern using the register_block_pattern() function in your themeās functions.php file or through a plugin.
What’s the difference between a Block and a Widget in Gutenberg?
Blocks are used within the post and page editor to build content, while Widgets are used in your websiteās sidebars or widget-ready areas.
Can I edit the HTML of a Block?
Yes, many blocks allow you to edit their HTML directly. Click on the block, then select “Edit as HTML” from the options menu.
How do I add a video Block in Gutenberg?
Use the “Video” block found in the block library. You can upload a video file, insert from a URL, or select a video from your media library.
What is a Cover Block?
A Cover Block allows you to add an image or video with text overlay. It’s perfect for headers or sections with a call to action.
How can I add a table in Gutenberg?
Use the “Table” block. You can specify the number of rows and columns upon insertion and then fill in the table’s content.
What is a Block Pattern?
Block Patterns are pre-designed collections of blocks. They offer complex layouts with minimal effort and can be found in the block library.
Can I undo changes in Gutenberg?
Yes, the editor has undo and redo buttons in the toolbar, allowing you to reverse or reapply recent changes.
How do I make a block full-width or wide width?
Select the block and look for the width options in the block toolbar or sidebar settings. Not all themes support wide and full-width alignments.
Where can I find more blocks to use?
Besides the default blocks, you can find additional blocks by installing block plugins from the WordPress plugin directory or third-party providers.
More reading
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.orgĀ – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_PageĀ – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme DirectoryĀ
wordpress.org/themesĀ – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
maxiblocks.com/go/help-desk
maxiblocks.com/pro-library
www.youtube.com/@maxiblocks
twitter.com/maxiblocks
linkedin.com/company/maxi-blocks
github.com/orgs/maxi-blocks
wordpress.org/plugins/maxi-blocks