Complete Guide to WordPress Plugin Classic Editor Features and How to Use Them

The Classic Editor is an official WordPress plugin designed to restore the editing experience that existed prior to the introduction of the Block Editor (Gutenberg) in WordPress 5.0.¹ It provides a familiar and straightforward interface for creating and managing content, making it a popular choice for users who prefer the traditional WordPress editor or require compatibility with older themes and plugins.²

Here’s a detailed look at its features and usage:

Key Features:

• Restores the Classic Editing Interface: The primary function of the plugin is to bring back the TinyMCE-based editor that was the default in WordPress for many years. This interface is similar to a standard word processor, with a prominent visual editor and a text editor (for working with HTML).
• Familiar Formatting Tools: Users have access to a readily available toolbar with common formatting options such as:

• Bold, Italic, Underline, Strikethrough³
• Bulleted and Numbered Lists⁴
• Blockquotes⁵
• Text Alignment (Left, Center, Right)⁶
• Adding/Editing Links⁷
• Inserting the “Read More” tag⁸
• Adding Media (images, videos, etc.)
• Dropdown for paragraph and heading styles
• Toolbar Toggle to reveal a second row of advanced options (like strikethrough, horizontal rule, clear formatting, special characters, indent/outdent, undo/redo, and help).

• Supports Old-Style Meta Boxes: The Classic Editor ensures compatibility with plugins and themes that utilize the older meta box system for adding extra settings and information to posts and pages (e.g., SEO plugins, custom fields).⁹ The Block Editor introduced a different system for these meta boxes, which might not be compatible with older implementations.
• Administrator Control over Default Editor: The plugin provides site administrators with the ability to choose the default editor for all users on the site – either the Classic Editor or the Block Editor.¹⁰
• Option for User Editor Choice: Administrators can also allow individual users to choose their preferred editor on a per-post basis.¹¹ When enabled, users will see an option to switch between the Classic and Block editors when creating or editing content.¹²
• Consistent Editing Experience: When users are allowed to switch editors, each post will open in the editor that was last used for it, ensuring a consistent workflow.
• Hides Block Editor Functionality: By default, when the Classic Editor is active and set as the default, it hides the interfaces and functionalities associated with the Block Editor (Gutenberg).
• Filters for Developers: The plugin includes filters that allow other plugins and themes to control editor settings and choices programmatically based on post type or other criteria.¹³
• Lightweight and Stable: As it restores the previous editor, the Classic Editor is generally considered lightweight and has been well-tested over many years.¹⁴

Usage:

Using the Classic Editor plugin involves a few simple steps:

1. Installation:

• Navigate to the “Plugins” section in your WordPress admin dashboard.¹⁵
• Click on “Add New.”
• In the search bar, type “Classic Editor.”
• Locate the official “Classic Editor” plugin by WordPress.org and click “Install Now.”

2. Activation:

• Once the installation is complete, click the “Activate” button.

3. Configuration (Optional but Recommended):

• After activation, go to “Settings” > “Writing” in your WordPress dashboard.¹⁶
• You will find a section specifically for the Classic Editor settings.
• Default editor for all users: Choose whether you want the Classic Editor or the Block Editor to be the default when creating new posts and pages.
• Allow users to switch editors: Select “Yes” if you want to give individual users the option to switch between the Classic and Block editors on a per-post basis. Select “No” to enforce the default editor setting for all users.
• Save your changes.

4. Creating and Editing Content:

• With the Classic Editor set as the default, when you go to “Posts” > “Add New” or “Pages” > “Add New” (or edit an existing post/page), you will see the familiar Classic Editor interface.
• Use the visual editor to write and format your content much like you would in a word processor.¹⁷
• Utilize the toolbar buttons to add headings, lists, links, media, and apply various text styles.¹⁸

• Switch to the “Text” tab if you need to work directly with the HTML code of your content.¹⁹

1. Switching Editors (if enabled):

• If the “Allow users to switch editors” option is set to “Yes” in the settings, when you are on the post or page editing screen, you will typically see an option (often near the title or in the sidebar) to switch to the other editor.²⁰ Click this option to load the content in the alternative editor. Note: It’s always a good idea to save your draft before switching editors to avoid losing any unsaved work.

In summary, the Classic Editor plugin serves as a bridge for users who prefer the traditional WordPress editing experience or require compatibility with older site elements.²¹ It’s easy to install and configure, providing a familiar environment for content creation. While the Block Editor is the modern direction of WordPress, the Classic Editor remains a widely used and well-supported option for many websites.