Ankit Panchal

Tag: Reusable blocks in Gutenberg

  • Day 22: Mastering Reusable Blocks in Gutenberg

    Introduction

    Welcome to Day 22 of the Gutenberg development series! Today, we’ll cover reusable blocks, a feature in Gutenberg that allows users to save a block or a group of blocks for reuse across different posts and pages. This feature is particularly useful for creating templates, call-to-action buttons, or any block-based content that you want to use multiple times without recreating it from scratch.

    In this guide, you’ll learn how to:

    • Create reusable blocks in the Block Editor.
    • Manage reusable blocks for easy updates.
    • Convert reusable blocks back into regular blocks when needed.

    What are Reusable Blocks in Gutenberg?

    Reusable blocks are blocks that can be saved and reused across multiple posts, pages, or custom post types in WordPress. This is ideal for content elements that remain the same throughout the website, like:

    • Call-to-action sections
    • Promotional banners
    • Custom layouts for products or testimonials
    • Predefined text snippets or styled content

    Reusable blocks ensure consistency, as updates made to a reusable block will automatically apply to all instances where that block is used.

    Step 1: Creating a Reusable Block

    Let’s walk through the process of creating a reusable block in the Block Editor.

    1. Add the Block in the Editor
      • Go to a post or page in the WordPress Block Editor.
      • Create or select the block (or group of blocks) that you want to save as reusable.
    2. Convert to Reusable Block
      • Click on the block options (the three dots in the block toolbar).
      • Select “Create Reusable Block” from the dropdown menu.
      • Give your reusable block a descriptive name that will make it easy to identify.
    3. Save the Reusable Block
      • Click Save after naming the block. It will now be available in the Reusable tab in the block inserter for easy access.

    Example Use Case: Call-to-Action Button

    You can save a Call-to-Action Button as a reusable block, allowing you to place it on multiple pages. If you need to update the button’s text or link, you can do it once in the reusable block, and the changes will reflect everywhere the button is used.

    Step 2: Managing Reusable Blocks

    Once you’ve created reusable blocks, you can manage them directly from the Block Editor.

    1. Edit a Reusable Block
      • To edit a reusable block, insert it into a post or page and click on “Manage Reusable Blocks” in the block toolbar or go to Block Library > Reusable.
      • Make your changes, such as updating text, images, or styles.
      • Click Update to apply the changes. The updates will reflect in all instances where the reusable block is used.
    2. Manage Reusable Blocks from the Admin
      • Go to Reusable Blocks in the WordPress admin menu (under Blocks or Manage Reusable Blocks).
      • Here, you can edit, delete, or export reusable blocks for use on other sites.

    Example: Updating a Promotional Banner

    Imagine you have a Promotional Banner saved as a reusable block, and you need to update the sale details. By editing the reusable block, the new promotion will automatically appear on all pages where the banner is used.

    Step 3: Converting a Reusable Block Back to a Regular Block

    In some cases, you may want to convert a reusable block back into a regular block to make changes that only apply to a specific instance.

    1. Convert to Regular Block
      • Insert the reusable block into a post or page.
      • Click on the block options (three dots) in the toolbar.
      • Select “Convert to Regular Block”.
    2. Edit the Converted Block
      • The block will now behave like a normal block. Changes made to this block will not affect the original reusable block or other instances.

    Example: Customizing a Reusable Testimonial

    You might have a Testimonial Block saved as reusable but need to make a specific edit for one post. By converting it to a regular block, you can adjust the content without changing the original reusable version.

    Step 4: Exporting and Importing Reusable Blocks

    You can also export reusable blocks to use them on other WordPress sites or import them into your current site.

    1. Export a Reusable Block
      • Go to Reusable Blocks in the admin menu.
      • Click Export as JSON next to the reusable block you want to export.
      • Save the JSON file to your computer.
    2. Import a Reusable Block
      • Go to Reusable Blocks > Manage Reusable Blocks in the admin menu.
      • Click Import from JSON.
      • Select the JSON file of the reusable block you want to import.
      • Click Import to add the block to your site.

    Example: Reusing a Custom Block Layout on Multiple Sites

    If you’ve created a Custom Layout for a client, you can export the reusable block as a JSON file and import it into another client’s site, ensuring a consistent design.

    Best Practices for Using Reusable Blocks

    1. Use for Repetitive Content: Save time by using reusable blocks for content that appears across multiple pages, such as headers, footers, or call-to-action sections.
    2. Name Reusable Blocks Clearly: Give each reusable block a clear and descriptive name to make it easy to find in the block library.
    3. Test Before Updating: Before making major updates to a reusable block, test the changes to ensure they display correctly across all instances.

    Conclusion: Streamlining Content with Reusable Blocks

    Reusable blocks are a game-changer for managing consistent content in WordPress. By saving blocks for reuse, you can easily replicate elements across your site while maintaining flexibility to make global updates. This not only saves time but also ensures a consistent design and messaging throughout your website.

    In this article, you’ve learned how to:

    • Create and save reusable blocks in Gutenberg.
    • Manage and update reusable blocks for easy content control.
    • Convert reusable blocks back to regular blocks for custom edits.

    In Day 23, we’ll explore custom block controls, where you can add advanced customization options to your blocks.

  • Day 10: Creating and Using Reusable Blocks in Gutenberg

    Introduction

    Welcome to Day 10 of the Gutenberg series! In today’s article, we will explore reusable blocks, which allow you to save specific blocks (or combinations of blocks) and reuse them throughout your WordPress site. This is an extremely powerful feature that makes content creation more efficient by letting you create consistent content without having to rebuild sections every time.

    In this guide, you will learn how to:

    • Create reusable blocks in the Gutenberg editor.
    • Save and manage block collections.
    • Use reusable blocks for more efficient content creation.

    What Are Reusable Blocks in Gutenberg?

    A reusable block is a block (or a group of blocks) that can be saved and then reused in any post or page on your WordPress site. These blocks maintain the same content and settings wherever they are used, so any updates made to a reusable block will automatically be reflected across all instances of that block throughout the site.

    Common use cases for reusable blocks include:

    • Call-to-action (CTA) sections like sign-up forms or “Buy Now” buttons.
    • Testimonial sections for customer quotes or feedback.
    • Promotional banners that you want to appear on multiple posts or pages.
    • Contact information that may be reused in multiple areas of your site.

    Step 1: Creating a Reusable Block

    Creating a reusable block is easy and can be done directly within the Gutenberg editor. Follow these steps:

    1. Open the Gutenberg Editor:
      • Go to the WordPress dashboard, and create a new post or page.
    2. Add a Block to the Editor:
      • Add any type of block you’d like (e.g., Paragraph, Heading, Image, Button, etc.).
    3. Customize the Block:
      • Customize the content and appearance of the block as desired. For example, you can add text to a paragraph block, change colors, or adjust alignments.
    4. Save the Block as Reusable:
      • Click on the block you want to save.
      • Click on the three-dot menu in the block toolbar (the “More options” icon).
      • Select “Add to Reusable blocks”.
      • Give your reusable block a name (e.g., “CTA Button”, “Testimonial Section”).
      • Click “Save” to store the block.

    Your reusable block is now saved and can be used across any post or page on your site.

    Step 2: Using a Reusable Block in the Editor

    Once you’ve saved a reusable block, it’s time to use it in your content. Here’s how:

    1. Open a Post or Page:
      • Go to the WordPress dashboard and open any post or page where you want to insert the reusable block.
    2. Insert the Reusable Block:
      • Click on the “+” button to add a new block.
      • Search for the name of your reusable block, or click the “Reusable” tab in the block inserter.
      • Select the block, and it will be added to your content.
    3. Preview and Publish:
      • You can preview the content to see how it looks with the reusable block.
      • Once satisfied, publish or update the post or page.

    The reusable block will display the content exactly as you saved it. If you need to make changes, you can easily do so.

    Step 3: Editing and Updating a Reusable Block

    One of the key benefits of reusable blocks is that any change made to a reusable block is automatically reflected everywhere it’s used on the site.

    1. Select the Reusable Block:
      • Open any post or page that uses the reusable block you want to edit.
      • Click on the reusable block to select it.
    2. Edit the Block:
      • Click on the “Edit” button that appears on the reusable block.
      • Make any changes to the block’s content, design, or settings as needed.
    3. Save Changes:
      • Once you have finished editing, click “Save” to update the block.
      • The updated content will automatically appear in all posts or pages where the reusable block is used.

    Step 4: Managing Reusable Blocks

    To manage all reusable blocks on your WordPress site, you can access the Reusable Blocks Manager.

    1. Open the Reusable Blocks Manager:
      • Go to the WordPress dashboard.
      • Navigate to “Posts” > “Reusable blocks” or open the block inserter while editing a post and click “Manage Reusable Blocks”.
    2. View, Edit, or Delete Blocks:
      • From the Reusable Blocks Manager, you can see all the reusable blocks on your site.
      • You can edit any block by clicking its title, delete blocks you no longer need, or export blocks to reuse them on another WordPress site.
    3. Export and Import Blocks:
      • To export a block, click on the block’s name, then click “Export as JSON”. This will download the block as a JSON file.
      • To import a block, go to “Manage Reusable Blocks”, click “Import from JSON”, and upload the file.

    Step 5: Converting Reusable Blocks into Regular Blocks

    In some situations, you may want to break the link between a reusable block and its instances, allowing you to customize individual instances without affecting others.

    1. Convert to Regular Block:
      • Select the reusable block in the editor.
      • Click on the three-dot menu in the block toolbar (the “More options” icon).
      • Select “Convert to Regular Block”.

    The block will be converted to a normal block, and you can make changes to it without affecting other instances.

    Best Practices for Using Reusable Blocks

    1. Use Consistent Naming: Always name your reusable blocks clearly so that you can easily identify and reuse them across different posts and pages.
    2. Keep Blocks Simple: Make reusable blocks for simple, repeatable sections rather than complex page layouts to keep them easy to manage.
    3. Use for Frequently Updated Content: Reusable blocks work best for content that is updated frequently, as changes will be reflected site-wide automatically.

    Conclusion: Boost Efficiency with Reusable Blocks

    Reusable blocks are a powerful feature that can significantly streamline your content creation workflow. They allow you to quickly add frequently used sections to your posts and pages, maintain design consistency, and easily make updates across your site.

    In this article, you’ve learned how to:

    • Create and save reusable blocks in the Gutenberg editor.
    • Insert and use reusable blocks across your WordPress site.
    • Edit, update, and manage reusable blocks effectively.

    In Day 11, we’ll explore block variations, which will allow you to create multiple styles or versions of a single block to enhance customization even further.