I’ve been working with WordPress since 2007, and I can say I’ve never been as efficient as I’m now with the block editor. If you’re using the block editor on your website, these little tips will change how you work and save you countless hours over time.
1. Using the Command Palette (CTRL + K / Command + K on Mac)
The command palette is a secret weapon. Press CTRL + K (Command + K on Mac) or simply click at the center of the top header in your editor screen.
From this single interface, you can create new pages, toggle between different editor modes, quickly jump to another post or page, and access several other functions. If you’re using a block-based theme, you’ll get even more options to work with.
This one tip alone will save you hours of work in the long run. Start using it today, and experiment with it. Before using your mouse to reach out to a setting or a block, try first to see if you can do it with the command palette.
With a single command, you could save time otherwise spent clicking through multiple menus or navigating different sections of your WordPress dashboard.
2. Learn Additional Keyboard Shortcuts
WordPress includes several keyboard shortcuts that can speed up your editing process. Just open the command palette, search for “keyboard”, and select the first result.
Learning shortcuts takes time upfront, but think of it as an investment. Every shortcut you learn will make you more efficient and productive for the long term. Start with the ones you’ll use most frequently, then gradually add others to your toolkit.
Especially if you work with WordPress daily, I would invest a bit of time every day, even just 1 minute, in learning potential shortcuts that you never used.
3. Customize Your Hidden Preferences
WordPress has many preferences in the native editor that aren’t immediately visible or obvious. These settings can make your editing experience smoother once you know where to find them.
Open the command palette and type “Editor Preferences” to access the customization options. Take a few minutes to go through all the available settings.
One example that many people miss is the option to keep the Document Overview always open. This might seem like a small detail, but when you’re working with complex layouts, having constant access to your page structure will save you significant time navigating between different elements.
4. Copy Entire Layouts Across Pages and Sites Like You Copy Text
You can copy entire pages and complex block layouts just like you would copy text. Select the blocks you want from the Document Overview, or hit CTRL + A a couple of times to select the entire layout. Then use CTRL + C and CTRL + V to copy and paste entire layouts to different pages or even different websites.
This works no matter how complex your layout is. You can move intricate designs, complete page structures, and detailed formatting in seconds rather than rebuilding everything from scratch.
The only note about this: if you’re copy-pasting entire layouts to different websites, you need to re-upload images on the new site. And of course the layout design will remain exactly the same if both websites use the same theme.
Making These Tips Work for You
The WordPress block editor has come a long way since its introduction, and these features make content management much more efficient than the old days of the classic editor.
Try these tips one at a time. Begin with the command palette since it gives you immediate access to everything else.
You’ll spend less time while editing your website and more time focusing on what matters most: growing your business.
If you’re dealing with more complex WordPress customizations or want to optimize your site’s performance alongside these editing improvements, feel free to book a consultation to discuss your specific needs.