WordPress unveiled Gutenberg 13.7 which comprises quite a few refinements that enhance the workflow, present extra granular management throughout the full website editor, and quite a few enhancements to the person interface.
Like another launch from WordPress, it is a cumulative replace and never a complete new expertise.
That stated, the enhancing expertise ought to really feel extra intuitive and pure.
Block Locking Gives Extra Granular Management
13.7 comprises additional enhancements to the flexibility to lock block parts to forestall them from altering.
The most recent enchancment is that customers now have the flexibility to use the lock function to dam parts contained inside a block that’s being locked.
By choosing a toggle, the lock function that’s utilized to a block may be inherited by the blocks that it comprises.
Block Locking Menu
Choosing to lock a block spawns one other menu that gives choices for extra granular locking management over the blocks contained throughout the block that’s being locked.
Closeup of Block Lock Modal
Improved Popup Modal Menus
Popup menus, referred to as Modals, can spawn on high of the web page that’s being labored on from which varied modifications may be made, like updating preferences.
What this variation does is to use a blur to the doc that’s beneath the menu.
Blurring the web page beneath the modal popup menu improves the main focus.
A concern was raised about this new function (whereas it was nonetheless below growth) that was involved with the potential for the person to lose context of what was being modified due to the blurring.
They prompt that in some situations, blurring the background would trigger the person to be unable to see what was being modified, thus eradicating the context.
The individual wrote:
“I simply encountered a possible usability concern the place there is a component exterior of the modal that’s contextually associated to the content material of the modal.
For instance, in the event you go to regulate an merchandise within the Listing View to use or take away a Lock, with the modal open, you possibly can not see which (explicit) block you have got highlighted…”
The decision to that concern was the commentary that if the context wanted to be stored in view then the modal (popup) menu isn’t one of the best person interface. This meant that blurring received’t be an issue as a result of modals aren’t utilized in conditions the place the underlying doc must be referenced by the person.
“…usually talking if it’s essential to observe each the modal contents and the remainder of the UI collectively, then a modal might be not going to be the only option.”
Instance of Blur Behind the Modal
Template System Gives Extra Design Management
This modification supplies the person with the flexibility to create extra templates that may be particular to particular person classes, tags, pages, and customized submit varieties.
In accordance with WordPress:
“As an illustration, you should use a unique template for all private weblog posts, a second one for all developer associated weblog posts, and a 3rd one for all journey posts.
In case your website registered further submit varieties, like books, or merchandise, your editor occasion will mechanically checklist them within the choice field for the Add New template button.”
This can be a welcome addition as a result of it removes a obtrusive limitation and extends the flexibility to make higher web sites when using the Gutenberg full website editor.
Enhancements to Workflow
There are different enhancements which might be supposed to enhance and streamline the workflow by offering further choices.
Amongst these modifications is the flexibility to pick out a featured picture from the media placeholder as a substitute of importing or selecting from the media library.
Screenshot of Featured Improved Modal
The rationale for this enchancment is documented within the pull request:
“This PR permits supporting media blocks to supply customers the choice to begin with featured picture from the placeholder state.
Why
To keep away from having to choose one other media to solely then get the choice and since the featured picture is now hidden behind the “Add media” block management within the media change move.”
New: Time to Learn
The flexibility to test how lengthy it can take to learn the doc can also be a brand new function that was added.
This new function is added to the knowledge bar within the Put up Editor display screen that at the moment supplies suggestions on the variety of phrases, characters, heading parts used, variety of paragraphs, and variety of blocks.
The period of time it takes a mean reader to learn a doc is extremely helpful info.
Screenshot of Up to date Info Bar
Sidebar Settings Panel Person Interface Improved
One other instance of the improved person interface is within the sidebar settings panel, which will get an replace to make it simpler to make use of.
The format of the settings panel is extra intuitive and straightforward to scan and select from the menu alternatives.
Screenshot of Earlier than and After
WordPress described the improved interface:
“The result’s a cleaner, extra organized show that ought to enable you to extra readily entry all of the vital details about your submit/web page at a look.”
So Many Enhancements
The brand new Gutenberg 13.7 is a cumulative replace and never a radical change from the earlier model. The enhancements won’t bounce out however they’ll contribute to a extra pure enhancing expertise.
This replace touches on almost each space of the Gutenberg editor, from new parts like a shade picker, improved doc settings, a greater full-site enhancing expertise, and quite a few bug fixes.
Citations
Learn the Full WordPress Announcement
Learn the Block Lock Pull Request
Block Locking: Add the ‘Apply to inside blocks’ choice #41876
Background Blur on Modals
Replace the modal design #40781
Begin With Featured Picture Pull Request
Begin with featured picture in media placeholder #41722
Featured picture by Shutterstock/Vulp
Modified by writer
