The Ultimate Guide to Editing WordPress Pages & Posts (Without Losing Your Mind)

WordPress content editing currently exists in a state that could generously be called 'transitional' and less generously called 'an unholy mess of competing paradigms.' You'll encounter two entirely different editing experiences, rather like finding yourself suddenly wearing two different shoes and being expected to walk normally: The Block Editor (Gutenberg): - The default editor since WordPress 5.0 - Content is divided into 'blocks' of different types (paragraph, heading, image, etc.) - More visual, with controls that materialize and dematerialize like quantum particles - Still causing controversy years after its introduction, with a fan base roughly the size of a minor cult The Classic Editor: - The traditional WordPress editor that functioned more like a simple word processor - Available via plugin for those who prefer the old ways (nostalgics and pragmatists unite!) - Simpler interface with a single text area and formatting toolbar - More straightforward for basic content editing, like comfortable old slippers Which should you use? That's rather like asking whether you prefer tea or coffee – intensely personal and liable to start arguments at family gatherings. The Block Editor offers more design flexibility but comes with a learning curve steep enough to require supplemental oxygen. The Classic Editor is simpler but more limited in what it can do without diving into code. We'll focus primarily on the Block Editor since it's the default experience, but we'll note Classic Editor alternatives where relevant for those who prefer their editing without existential dread.

Before you can edit anything, you need to find the editor. Sounds obvious, doesn't it? But WordPress has a special talent for hiding things in plain sight, much like a set of car keys when you're already late for an appointment. To Edit an Existing Page: 1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard 2. Navigate to Pages > All Pages 3. Hover over the page you want to edit 4. Click 'Edit' when it appears (it's not invisible, just playing hard to get) To Edit an Existing Post: 1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard 2. Navigate to Posts > All Posts 3. Hover over the post you want to edit 4. Click 'Edit' when it appears Alternative Methods: - When viewing your site while logged in, the admin bar at the top should show an 'Edit Page' or 'Edit Post' option - Some themes add edit buttons directly on the front end, like helpful little signposts in a maze - If you know the page/post ID, you can go directly to: yourdomain.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=ID&action=edit (replace ID with the actual number) Creating New Content: - For a new page: Pages > Add New - For a new post: Posts > Add New If you're staring at your screen thinking, 'But I don't see any of these options,' you probably don't have sufficient permissions. WordPress has different user roles (Administrator, Editor, Author, etc.), and not all roles can edit all content. If you need to edit something but can't access it, contact your site administrator and explain why you need access. Bribery with baked goods sometimes helps, though coffee is generally more effective and less likely to be interpreted as attempted corruption.

The Block Editor transforms content creation into something resembling a digital toy box where all the pieces are oddly shaped and some of them occasionally vanish when you're not looking. Each paragraph, image, heading, or other element is a separate 'block' that you can manipulate independently, for better or worse. Essential Block Navigation: 1. Adding Blocks: - Click the '+' button at the top left or where you want to insert content - Search for the type of block you need or browse categories - Select the block you want to add (there are approximately 42 different types, which seems somehow significant) 2. Selecting Blocks: - Click on any block to select it - A toolbar will appear above the selected block, like an overeager shop assistant - The right sidebar will show settings specific to that block type 3. Moving Blocks: - Use the up/down arrows in the block toolbar - Click and drag the six-dot handle on the left of a selected block - Cut and paste blocks using keyboard shortcuts or the menu, if you're feeling particularly adventurous 4. Editing Block Content: - Text blocks: Click and type as you would expect in a civilized digital environment - Image blocks: Click to upload or select from media library - Other blocks: Each has its own specific controls, often hidden in places that defy conventional logic 5. Block Settings: - Each block type has unique settings in the right sidebar - Toggle between 'Block' and 'Document' settings at the top of the sidebar - Look for the 'Advanced' dropdown for additional options that you'll probably never use but might be momentarily curious about Common Block Types You'll Use: - Paragraph: The standard text block for regular content - Heading: For section titles (H2) and subtitles (H3, H4) - Image: For adding photos, graphics, and visual distractions - List: For bulleted or numbered lists (like this one) - Quote: For testimonials or citing sources more important than yourself - Columns: To create multi-column layouts when you're feeling particularly masochistic - Button: To add call-to-action buttons that practically beg to be clicked - Embed: For adding content from YouTube, Twitter, and other places where time disappears There are dozens more block types available, with plugins adding even more options. This can be either empowering or overwhelming, depending on your perspective and how much coffee you've had today. Remember, the answer to 'How many block types do I actually need?' is almost always 'far fewer than are available to me.'

Text editing is where most people spend their time in WordPress, and it's also where most frustrations occur. Here's how to make it less painful, or at least more predictably painful: Basic Text Formatting: - Bold: Select text and click the 'B' button or use Ctrl/Cmd+B - Italic: Select text and click the 'I' button or use Ctrl/Cmd+I - Links: Select text and click the link icon or use Ctrl/Cmd+K - Text Color: Select text and look for the color options in the toolbar (which are hiding, as usual) Paragraph Formatting: With a paragraph block selected, check the right sidebar for: - Text size and line height (for when the default is just too... default) - Drop cap options (for that 19th-century novel aesthetic you've been yearning for) - Background color (because sometimes words need to stand out like a penguin at a polar bear convention) - Padding settings (for text that values its personal space) Common Text Editing Problems: 1. Formatting Disappears When Copying from Other Sources: - WordPress strips much of the formatting from pasted text, like an overzealous customs official - Use the 'Paste as text' option (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+V) for clean pasting - For complex formatting, try copying into a plain text editor first, then into WordPress 2. Unexpected Line Breaks or Paragraphs: - Remember that each paragraph is its own block, with its own hopes, dreams, and insecurities - Use Shift+Enter for a line break within the same block - Enter alone creates a new paragraph block, regardless of wether you wanted one or not 3. Text Alignment Issues: - Look for alignment options in the block toolbar - Some themes override alignment settings with their own CSS, in a battle of wills reminiscent of two stubborn cats - For precise control, you might need to use Columns blocks or custom CSS 4. Font and Typography Limitations: - Your theme largely controls available fonts - Some blocks allow custom font settings in the sidebar - For more options, consider typography plugins or custom CSS Remember: the Block Editor treats each paragraph as an independent entity. This is either liberating or infuriating, depending on how much you appreciated the simplicity of word processors where text just flows from one paragraph to the next without each line having an existential crisis about its identity and purpose in the digital universe.

Adding images to WordPress has traditionally been straightforward, but the Block Editor adds both new capabilities and new potential for confusion, much like giving a smartphone to someone who's only ever used a rotary telephone. Adding Images to Your Content: 1. Image Block Method: - Add an Image block where you want the image to appear - Click 'Upload' to add a new image or 'Media Library' to use an existing one - Once added, select the image to see editing options 2. Drag and Drop Method: - Simply drag an image file from your computer directly into the editor - WordPress will automatically create an Image block, saving you at least three clicks and several microseconds Essential Image Editing Options: - Size: Adjust dimensions in the block settings sidebar (because one size rarely fits all, despite what optimistic clothing manufacturers claim) - Alignment: Use toolbar options for left, center, right, or wide/full width - Caption: Add descriptive text that appears below the image - Alt Text: ALWAYS add alternative text for accessibility and SEO (skip this and the SEO gods will frown upon you with such intensity that your rankings might actually feel it) - Link Settings: Choose if the image links to its attachment page, a custom URL, or nothing at all Advanced Image Techniques: 1. Image Galleries: - Use the Gallery block to display multiple images in a grid - Customize columns, cropping, and captions to your heart's content 2. Featured Images: - Set via the Document sidebar, not in the main content area - Used by themes for post thumbnails, headers, and social sharing 3. Background Images: - Some blocks (like Cover) allow images as backgrounds with text overlay - Adjust opacity, fixed position, and other settings in the sidebar 4. Image Optimization: - Resize images before uploading (ideally 1200-2000px wide maximum) - Use .jpg for photos and .png for graphics with transparency - Consider an image optimization plugin if you upload many images Common Image Problems: - Images Too Large/Small: Check both the uploaded file size and the display size settings - Images Breaking Layout: Try different alignment options or use Group blocks - Poor Quality Images: Ensure you're uploading high-resolution images to start with - Slow Loading: Compress images before uploading or use an optimization plugin A final note: WordPress creates multiple sizes of each uploaded image. If you replace an image with a new version but it looks the same, try regenerating thumbnails with a plugin like 'Regenerate Thumbnails' or clear your cache. Sometimes WordPress holds onto image versions with the tenacity of a toddler clutching a forbidden chocolate bar.

All the editing in the world means nothing if you don't properly save and publish your changes. WordPress offers several options that can be confusing if you're not familiar with them - rather like being handed the controls to a spacecraft when you've only ever operated a toaster. Understanding WordPress Save Options: - Save Draft: Saves your work without publishing it publicly - Preview: See how changes will look without publishing (a highly recommended step) - Publish/Update: Makes your content live for visitors to see - Scheduled: Set a future date for automatic publishing - Pending Review: Submits content for an editor to review before publishing Best Practices for Saving Work: 1. Save Frequently: - WordPress has an autosave feature, but don't rely on it exclusively, much like you wouldn't rely on a chocolate teapot - Get in the habit of pressing Ctrl/Cmd+S regularly while editing - Consider drafting important content in a separate document first 2. Use Previews Liberally: - Always preview changes before publishing, especially for important pages - Check how your content looks on both desktop and mobile views - Remember that previews might look slightly different from the live version due to caching 3. Understand Publishing Flow: - New content starts as a draft (not visible to the public) - Once published, changes need to be explicitly updated to be visible - For collaborative sites, understand your role's capabilities (some users can only create drafts) Troubleshooting Saving Issues: - Changes Not Appearing: Clear your browser cache or view in an incognito window - Unable to Save: Check for plugin conflicts or server issues - Lost Content: Look for the 'Revisions' box in the sidebar to recover previous versions - Publish Button Not Working: Ensure all required fields are completed Lastly, understand the difference between 'Visibility' settings: - Public: Visible to everyone (even your competitors) - Password Protected: Requires a password to view (for semi-private content) - Private: Only visible to logged-in users with sufficient permissions Setting a post to Private when you meant to Save as Draft is a common mistake that has led to many a panicked moment when content 'disappears' from the editing queue. It's the digital equivalent of putting something in such a safe place that even you can't find it, like those sunglasses you're still looking for from last summer.

Once you've mastered the basics, these advanced features can take your WordPress editing to the next level - like discovering your umbrella can also function as a walking stick, satellite dish, and emergency defensive weapon: Reusable Blocks: These are saved block patterns you can use across multiple pages: 1. Create and configure a block or group of blocks 2. Select the block(s) and click the three-dot menu 3. Choose 'Add to Reusable blocks' 4. Name your block for future reference 5. Insert it anywhere using the Reusable blocks category in the block inserter This is perfect for content you use repeatedly, like call-to-action sections, contact information, or standardized disclaimers. It's rather like cloning your content, but without the ethical dilemmas or need for a secret laboratory. Block Patterns: These are pre-designed layouts available in the block inserter: 1. Click the '+' to add a new block 2. Go to the 'Patterns' tab 3. Browse categories or search for specific patterns 4. Click a pattern to insert it Patterns can save significant time when creating complex layouts like pricing tables, team member displays, or feature grids. They're the WordPress equivalent of microwave meals - not always gourmet, but ready when you need them and infinitely better than staring into an empty refrigerator. Keyboard Shortcuts: Master these to edit much faster: - Ctrl/Cmd+S: Save draft - Ctrl/Cmd+Z: Undo that thing you immediately regretted - Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+Z: Redo that thing you regretted regretting - Ctrl/Cmd+A: Select all text in current block - Escape: Clear selection - Slash (/): Type this in an empty block to quickly search for block types Fullscreen Mode: Minimize distractions by toggling fullscreen mode with the icon in the top-right corner. This hides the WordPress dashboard navigation for a cleaner editing experience, letting you focus on your content without the UI equivalent of someone constantly tapping you on the shoulder asking if you've seen their keys. Revision History: WordPress keeps a record of changes: 1. Look for 'Revisions' in the sidebar or under the document settings 2. Browse through previous versions 3. Compare changes between revisions 4. Restore earlier versions if needed This can be a lifesaver when something goes wrong or you need to revert to a previous version. It's like having a time machine, but only for your WordPress content, which is probably for the best given humanity's track record with temporal manipulation.

Even experienced WordPress users encounter editing issues. Here are solutions to the most common problems - your guide to getting out of sticky situations without needing to call for emergency assistance: Editor Loading a Blank Screen: - Try disabling all plugins temporarily to identify conflicts - Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three to rule out theme issues - Increase PHP memory limit if you have server access - Try a different browser or clear browser cache and cookies Content Appearing Differently When Published: - Preview in multiple browsers to identify browser-specific issues - Check for caching plugins that might be showing outdated versions - Verify your theme isn't overriding your styles - Test in WordPress's responsive preview modes Formatting Issues: - For stubborn formatting problems, try copying content to a plain text editor first to strip all formatting - Use the 'Clear formatting' button (the eraser icon) in text blocks - For complex layouts, use Column blocks rather than trying to force text alignment - Consider using the Code Editor view (accessible via the three dots menu) for manual HTML adjustments Lost Access to Classic Editor: - Install the 'Classic Editor' plugin if you prefer the old interface - Some blocks (like 'Custom HTML') provide experiences similar to the classic editor - Look for the 'Edit as HTML' option in the block's settings for direct code editing Media Upload Failures: - Temporary upload issues often resolve themselves if you try again later - Reduce image file sizes if you're hitting server limits - Verify file types are supported by WordPress - Check folder permissions if you have server access Editor Running Slowly: - Complex pages with many blocks can strain browsers like a rhino on a trampoline; consider breaking very long content into multiple pages - Deactivate unnecessary plugins while editing - Clear browser cache and close unnecessary tabs - Try a different browser (Chrome often handles the Block Editor best) When all else fails, remember the IT professional's mantra: 'Have you tried turning it off and on again?' Sometimes simply logging out of WordPress, clearing your browser cache, and starting fresh resolves mysterious issues. It's the digital equivalent of the percussive maintenance technique, only without the actual hitting, which is probably best for the longevity of your computer.

Editing WordPress from mobile devices has long been possible but rarely pleasant. Here's how to make it less painful - though expecting true joy from mobile WordPress editing is like expecting gourmet dining at a petrol station: WordPress Mobile Apps: Official apps are available for iOS and Android with varying capabilities: - Good for: Quick text edits, moderating comments, checking stats - Limited for: Complex layouts, detailed design work - Download from the App Store or Google Play Mobile Browser Editing: If you prefer using your mobile browser: 1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard as usual 2. The interface will adapt to your screen size (with varying degrees of success) 3. Use landscape mode for more working space 4. Consider enabling 'Desktop site' in your browser for the full interface Tips for Successful Mobile Editing: - Keep It Simple: Focus on text editing and basic updates - Use External Apps: Draft complex content in dedicated writing apps, then copy to WordPress - Save Frequently: Mobile connections can be unreliable - Be Cautious with Images: Upload images via WiFi rather than cellular data when possible - Preview Before Publishing: Always check how changes look before making them live Common Mobile Editing Challenges: - Tiny Buttons: Use your browser's zoom feature to enlarge difficult controls - Formatting Issues: Stick to basic formatting on mobile; save complex layouts for desktop - Media Management: Add placeholder images that you can replace later on desktop - Accidental Taps: Review all changes before saving to catch unintended edits The reality is that WordPress editing on mobile remains somewhat like trying to perform brain surgery while wearing oven mitts. For quick text updates, it's manageable. For anything requiring precision or complex design, consider it emergency-only until you can access a desktop. After all, some tasks simply weren't meant to be performed on screens the size of a playing card, no matter how advanced our technology becomes.

After years of working with WordPress, I've discovered techniques that dramatically improve editing efficiency - the difference between spending your entire life in the WordPress editor and actually having time to go outside and see that big yellow thing in the sky: Create Templates for Recurring Content: 1. Design a page exactly as you want it with all necessary blocks 2. Save individual sections as Reusable Blocks or the entire page as a template 3. Duplicate this template when creating similar content This approach is particularly valuable for structured content like product pages, team bios, or case studies. It's the digital equivalent of not having to reinvent the wheel every time you need to go somewhere, which would be both time-consuming and impractical. Develop a Block Library: Create a toolkit of custom-designed blocks for common elements: - Call-to-action sections - Feature highlights - Testimonial displays - Contact sections Save each as a Reusable Block for quick insertion anywhere on your site. Think of it as having pre-packed bags ready for different types of trips, rather than frantically shoving random items into a suitcase minutes before your taxi arrives. Use the Right Tool for the Job: Instead of fighting with WordPress for complex content: 1. Draft long-form content in dedicated writing apps 2. Design complex layouts in proper design software 3. Import or recreate in WordPress once finalized This hybrid approach combines the strengths of specialized tools with WordPress's publishing capabilities. After all, you wouldn't use a spoon to dig a swimming pool, would you? (Although with sufficient determination and time, I suppose you could.) Keyboard Over Mouse: Learn keyboard shortcuts to minimize reaching for your mouse: - Tab between fields - Enter to create new blocks - Shift+Enter for line breaks - Ctrl/Cmd+S to save With practice, keyboard navigation can cut editing time in half. Your wrists will thank you, and you'll develop a slightly smug efficiency that's both satisfying and mildly irritating to others. Regular Maintenance: Schedule time to clean up your WordPress content: - Delete unused drafts and media - Update and optimize old content - Consolidate similar reusable blocks - Document your site's structure and standards Like regular maintenance for your car, this prevents bigger problems down the road. It's the difference between a well-tuned machine and a digital junk drawer so chaotic it might actually be developing its own ecosystem. Remember that editing WordPress effectively is less about knowing every feature and more about developing a workflow that matches your specific needs. The goal isn't to use every available option but to create quality content efficiently. And really, isn't that what we all want in the end? Well, that and maybe a nice cup of tea.