The WordPress Text Editor

Last updated: June 26, 2024

Read time: 3 minutes


The WordPress Text Editor, also known as the Classic Editor or Visual Editor, is the primary tool for creating and editing posts and pages. It offers a simple and user-friendly interface, allowing you to format text, add media, and create links without needing to know any code.

Key Features of the WordPress Text Editor

  1. Visual Editor:
    • Toolbar: The toolbar contains formatting options similar to those in word processors like Microsoft Word. You can bold, italicize, and underline text, create lists, align text, and more.
    • Add Media: Click the “Add Media” button to upload and insert images, videos, audio, and other media files.
    • Links: Highlight text and click the “Insert/edit link” button to add hyperlinks to your content.
    • Shortcodes: You can add shortcodes provided by plugins to include dynamic content like forms, galleries, and more.
  2. Text Editor (HTML):
    • Switch to the Text Editor tab to view and edit the HTML code of your post or page. This is useful for adding custom code or troubleshooting formatting issues.
    • You can toggle between the Visual Editor and Text Editor as needed.
  3. Content Creation:
    • Title: Enter the title of your post or page at the top of the editor.
    • Body: The main content area where you write and format your text.
  4. Formatting Options:
    • Bold, Italic, and Underline: Highlight text and click the corresponding button to apply formatting.
    • Lists: Create ordered (numbered) and unordered (bulleted) lists.
    • Blockquotes: Highlight text and click the blockquote button to add quotes.
    • Align Text: Align text to the left, center, or right.
    • Headings: Use the dropdown menu to apply heading styles (H1, H2, H3, etc.) for better content structure.
  5. Media Handling:
    • Add Images: Click the “Add Media” button to upload images from your computer or select from your media library. You can insert images directly into your content and adjust their alignment and size.
    • Embed Videos: You can easily embed videos from platforms like YouTube and Vimeo by pasting the video URL into the editor.
  6. Links and Hyperlinks:
    • Insert Links: Highlight text and click the “Insert/edit link” button. Enter the URL, and optionally, set the link to open in a new tab.
    • Edit Links: Click on an existing link to edit or remove it.
  7. Text Color and Background Color:
    • Use the toolbar options to change the text color and background color for emphasis.
  8. Undo and Redo:
    • The editor provides undo and redo buttons to revert or reapply recent changes.

Tips for Using the WordPress Text Editor

  • Use Headings for Structure: Apply heading styles to organize your content. This improves readability and SEO.
  • Preview Your Post: Before publishing, click the “Preview” button to see how your post will look on the front end of your site.
  • Keep It Simple: Avoid excessive formatting, which can make your content harder to read. Stick to basic formatting options for clarity.
  • Add Alt Text to Images: When adding images, include descriptive alt text to improve accessibility and SEO.
  • Save Drafts: Regularly save your work as a draft to prevent losing changes.

By mastering the WordPress Text Editor, you can create well-formatted and engaging content that enhances the user experience on your website.