You’ve probably gotten tired of hearing about it from us, but the day has finally come and the new dashboard is finally here. It’s now immediately available to everyone on WordPress.com.
Change is always tricky, but pretty much everyone who has already switched to the new design and layout (that we affectionately call Crazyhorse) prefers it after a day or two of using it.
Why is that? Well aesthetics are a matter of taste, and you might like or dislike the new look, but speed is not.
A big focus of this redesign was making everything faster. It loads faster. It’s faster for you to navigate. And nearly every possible task in WordPress now takes fewer clicks than it used to.
This means we can get out of your way and you can focus on what matters: your writing, your comments, your readers, your blog.
So take a few minutes to explore around, there are a ton of new features for you. Try rearranging your dashboard, or your write page. Click the arrows in the menu to expand modules and navigate faster. Go to your profile and turn on keyboard shortcuts for comment moderation. Poke and prod! 🙂
For those following along at home, this new dashboard is going to be available as the 2.7 release on WordPress.org sometime next week. But because we update things so frequently here on WordPress.com, version numbers don’t apply as much.
Support is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have any problems, and as always completely free. (Give us a little extra time to reply though, we’ll probably get a lot of folks contacting us.)
Love, Matt and the tireless WP team
WordPress.com News 
It’s amazing! I love you, Matt!!!
🙂
Its cool!!! Quickpress will help very much. But the summary tables looked really better in old dashboard. Else the new dashboard is just that..DASHING!!! 🙂
Looks neat & nice, took me faster to get used to it than I expected. Congarts!
I love this new Dashboard! It IS faster to negotiate and easier to find stuph ;–)
That said, I’m a ‘newbie’ to WordPress (been here about 2 weeks) … but entered the Blogosphere 14 months ago and have 3 Blogger sites up & running. I wanted to back them up elsewhere and did so here … then created a 4th blog to ‘experiment’ with how WordPress works. Everything was slow & confusing at first, but I’m gradually getting the hang of things. Thanks for continual changes & updates.
it’s good…simple and very nice interface 😉
it’s nice.
Fresh, clean and easy to use! It seems every change brings something I don’t like or have to get used to using, but this time you folks hit a big homerun…great job from the Timepieces!.
Grantman
Congratulations to Matt & the tireless WP team for their continuous improvement process. Love the appearance & ease of navigation.
i love it!
and now the flash uploader-thing works for me.
thank, guys!
I wish I could say “it is great,” but I can’t. It will take a while to get used to. It’s sorta like switching from MS Office 2003 to 2007. Just weird at first…
Loved it! at first sight. Thanks for the new, sleek and easy to use Dashboard.
A suggestion: enable search for themes.
I’m loving 2.7.
I really like it! TY guyz! 🙂
Love it, Matt, just love it!!!! Gonna go mess some stuff up just so I can play around more with the new dashboard. You WordPress folk are so clever. Bet y’all are all cute and fun and love puppies and stuff too. Have a great weekend. You’ve earned it.
it is well designed and user friendly
It’s better that the 2.6 dashboard 🙂
Kudos 😀
I LOVE IT !!!! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!! lOVE IT !! Thank you Matt ! It is cleaner, more attractive, user friendly and professional. I was hoping the text editing window to be a little larger though, because I do all my editing and typing there and then (just to make sure that it is formatted nicely), perhaps hide the “excerpt” text box, collapse it when required?
Forget about the negative comment Matt, I love it. I would score you a 10! keep up the good work!
You can hide the excerpt module by accessing the Screen Options tab in the upper right and unchecking the box next to Excerpt. Or, you can collapse it by clicking on the heading bar of the module. If you use the Visual Editor, you can also resize your text editor by grabbing the lower right corner with your mouse and dragging it to be taller
yes, yes a million times YES!
Awesome and more accessible. Thank you !
two words : IT’S NEAT !
Thanks
Alot easier to update and organize
Beautiful!! Thanks!
Wonderful! Thank you very much for this new version of WP. 🙂
I went through the same initial response as “the monster” – happened to be posting within a few second of the switch which obviously took a bit to get all the Java hooks and switches in place. Finally, things settled down into useful.
So, 95% used to it – though I haven’t started exploring, yet.
Still, I’m a bit concerned about the “big” blog I edit when we get the self-hosted version. There are a dozen editors, all with differing styles and attitudes about software.
I have a feeling it will be an adventure.
Thanks, it´s very easy and very beautiful. Thanks, for better blogging.
Lovely updates…
keep it up.
its a lot sleeker and faster
Some things will take some getting used to, but it is going to be change for the good. Only one question – why does my template format/spacing have to change every time you guys roll out something? Now I have to go resize my sidebar graphics again!! ARGH!
GREAT!!!
interesting new features and very good organized.
Hate it! Hate it! Hate it!
Please, can you make the “old” dashboard an option when you do these things? It just makes me use WordPress less often if I have to work harder to use it.
I haven’t fully familiarized myself with the new Dashboard yet, but my immediate reaction is to second Daniel Ferber’s comment regarding the amount of space allocated to working on a post. The links on the left and right sides take up at least half of the screen, largely with items I don’t need while creating a post.
Try this out: https://wordpress.com/support/screen-configuration/
Awesome design! I like it much more then before. 😀
Really nice. Thank you all for the good work!
I read many comments and I am asking myself, why some people don´t like any change? WP 2.7 is great for me, it´s very simple. I know, that you were working so long and everything is perfect. Previous version some people don´t like and some don´t like new version. It´s all about change, I don´t understand it why many have fear, when someone want something change, it´s all about our lives and that change was really needed. Thanks.
Lovely dashboard surprise 🙂 Takes some getting used to, but it looks good. Thank you Matt. Thank you Team WordPress!
Don’t mind the look of the design but have a problem when I created a new post. I typically post under the html tab because I am inputting cartoons. The post would not stay inside the box and instead extended to the right across the page imparing my ability to see it. I had to create soft returns throughout in order to view my entire post. Then when I was complete, I previewed the post to notice that it created returns two sentences into a line (not even where I put soft returns), so I had to go back into display mode and fix it.
Hope this was either a one time issue or is being addressed.
Hmmm….I guess I come from the “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” side of the aisle. The new dashboard feels cluttered and claustrophobic. I prefer the earlier verison.
Brilliant. Well worth your effort. Thanks!!
I don’t like it. Seems more confusing. Why change something that worked fine? Is WordPress going to become like Hotmail that changes the design everytime their users finally figure out the last one?
Utterly pointless upgrade. Adds nothing to the user experience and stuff’s now harder to find.
Super Fast!
I think I like it. Once I get used to it, I think it’s going to be very easy to use.
I love it. Everything IS much faster and smoother with the new dash.
The Dashboard was just changed less than a year ago.
What I don’t fathom about WordPress is these huge changes are just sprung on us. No one is polled or asked first to see if we need or want a revamped Dashboard. Not good and not cool.
It appears after trying to use this mess the first time, it requires the user to create a new blog entry in “Quick Press,” then, you have to post it and go back to the post a second time to add the link to an article or source.
The result is double work and double time. It amounts to posting twice to create a single post.
The only question I have is, why? Why was this dumped on us? It isn’t remotely user friendly. I hate it.
But I’ve been on WordPress long enough to know my feedback will fall on deaf ears. WordPress has a nasty habit of pulling crap like this and then we’re left to sort it out. Lucky us.
Actually we did a ton of feedback, polling, and testing. Check out the earlier posts and also comments on this one. You don’t need to do new posts through QuickPress, it’s just one option. You can click on New Post to get to the full-size form.
Hi Christopher. You asked, “The only question I have is, why?” The answer is that users reported having issues with the redesign in March, so we conducted testing to see which issues were based on usability problems and which were based on not liking change. When we found usability issues, we wanted to fix them, so we did iterative prototyping and user testing, conducted surveys here on wordpress.com allowing literally thousands to weigh in on things like navigation, icons and features, and made sure to give everyone plenty of advance notice and interface previews so the design update wouldn’t be such a shock. Contrary to your comment that “feedback will fall on deaf ears,” this entire process has been based on the feedback of users, and the testing we’ve done on each iteration has shown us that this version is actually easier for people to use whether they are newbies or experienced WordPess users. I haven’t written a report yet on the testing for this release, since it’s so recent, but you might be interested in seeing the last report, which covered the usability testing on the last version and the first two prototypes, available here.
big fan, big fan.
Cool! I like it and the dashboard is neat.
I LOVE WORDPRESS!
I’m totally confused. When I try to work on a draft it’s partially blocked by the “Publish” and “Tags” boxes. How do I get them out of the way?
Get a bigger screen, or customize the layout: https://wordpress.com/support/screen-configuration/
I did read the post on configuration however it doesn’t answer the question.
It appears that you can either have one column or two, but you can’t have the editor module be single column, and then have two columns underneath that, ie:
Write/Edit
Tags & Cat’s
Publish & Slug
That is true.
its superb
hohoho..
first time i’ve been shocked…
but later it’s so cool….
love that!
I love it. So well organized (a big plus for me). I like the ability to drag and drop as well. Bravo, WordPress!
Loving it, team – thank you!
Wonderfully simplistic and have been buzzing around it all day!
So glad I set up with you guys!
*does a happy dance*
Awesome setup. Hat’s off.
Don’t think I’m a party-pooper ,but isn’t there a way too go to your post from the recent comments tab? Yes, the # character is there, but it’s too small and takes you to the comment rather than the top of the post. (the previous version had it, am missing it. The same link here takes you to post editor!!! Hmmm… does anyone actually need it?)
The new interface is really user friendly… love it..
WordPress 2.6.5 = Best WordPress 😉
The new dashboard is amazing!
Thank you wordpress, you guys are doing a great job!
nice…
Thanks I really like it – much much better than the older one – and lots of efforts put – Thanks for that!!
🙂
Far superior. The old dashboard drove me nuts.
The older one was much easier to use, and see. This is too compact, and it isn’t Firefox friendly.
I am not a fan of the new design, especially when it forces me to use Internet Explorer.
You shouldn’t need to use IE, you should contact support and let them know what’s up.
The new design of the dashboard is brill, it is a but jam packed – good job I can edit it.
thank you! it’s a great design, and with a very smart font 😉
WOW, it is great! I am loving it and it worked so well! Thank you!
tried it out this morning – wowie zowie. love, love, love the improvements (i hope the TEAM gets a nice winter cruise vacation for this one!) 🙂
I love it, great job!
Dear Friend, the new dashboard is great, easly to use, organized and logic. My congratulations for WordPress team!
Tremendous! Reading tables is SO much faster than reading sentences. This is a major improvement!
I think it’s better than the old one. Congratulations for your effort!.
You guys did a great job! No matter what anyone else says.
The View All button under stats doesn’t work using IE7, at least not for me. But, then again, I’ve been having trouble with the Visual Editor under IE7 and Firefox for about a month–it doesn’t work, and it still doesn’t.
Try it out now, it was a temporary bug.
It’s great!!! thanx wordpress!!!
Greetings from Mexico city 😉
wow. this looks great!
thnx dude!!
Wow, this is what keeps me loyal to WordPress! You took an awesome interface and made it even better. Thanks!
I love it! I love it! I love it! Thank you!! 🙂
To those who are complaining… please quit and embrace the change. It’s the same thing every time. I like it and I’m sure once you play around with it and get used to it, you’ll enjoy it too! 🙂
It’s Awesome. Period!
Good Job, Matt and Crew.
As a self-hosted WordPress 2.7 user, I have to say I hated the colour scheme at first. However, within about 24 hours, I came to love it. It’s so much easier to focus now. So everyone, just give it time.
No comment threading on WordPress.com?
It’s coming, we need to update all the themes. (Non-trivial.)
This is cool.. I love the new dashboard design… Its lot more easier to work with…
You’re absolutely right, far less clicking, and navigation is MUCH smoother. Great job!
I absolutely love it! It is more intuitive and has a sleek design that is easy on the eyes. I just helped my mom start a blog and she will be much more successful with the icons to help identify tasks she needs to do. Just one question: What is the “View All” button in the Stats window supposed to do? When I click it, it just reloads my dashboard.
Excelent, the new Dashboard is very organized and easy to use. Very nice!
Generally I love this, but what have you done with the “View My Site” button? I miss it. Sorely.
~a
It’s still there, by the blog title.
I really like the new design. You’ve got a real winner!
Top notch folks, Top notch
I adore it , I love it ,so cute,so clean ! <<< ❤
Thanks a lot guys
Oh but I think the view all button in the bottom left hand corner of the stats widget on the dashboard doesn’t go where it should. Looks like it just refreshes the dashboard instead of heading to the stats page. hope this helps. later.
Try it again.
love the new dashboard… thanks 😀
The new dashboard is awesome and clean! I can’t wait to use it in my other WordPress hosted sites! One thing though, the post editing area is now very small and cramped unlike before. Is there a way to drag its border or something to increase its size so that I can see more of my blog post?
Yep – https://wordpress.com/support/screen-configuration/ . There’s also a resize at the bottom right of the post area you can drag to make it bigger.
I meant what I said before, I love it…But I do miss being able to tab between the dashboards of my various blogs…
Love all the changes. Navigation is simply intuitive. Thanks!
The drag and drop is a good addition, the rest is totally superfluous. Why do you guys feel you need to change the dashboard every 6-9 months.
What you should have done is create something more like the Widgets editor. i.e. The dashboard simply then becomes a bunch of configurable items that I can use or not use, and position as needed.
Why change the colour scheme. The old one was fine. You forget that the rest of us have to go through a learn (relearning) curve every time you do this.
The removal of the explicit “visit blog” link being replaced by the implicit “click on the blog name” is an example of bad usability. What was once something very simple and clear is now replaced by something hidden.
Another example is the new approval process for comments. the old one was very clear and explicit. The new one isn’t.
Keep focusing on the real value add stuff, and move towards simpler easy to use capabilities incrementally, and not new, big bang changes that cause disruption.
I think WordPress is the best blogging platform by far, but minimize the disruption you make with releases.
Saeed
Yes! I liked the new dashboard but it will take time to get used to it.
Few suggestions
1. “View All” link of “Stats” section on the dashboard is not working.
2. When the Left Panel collapse the comment icon does not show anything on the mouseover (Alt text).
3. There should be a preview post button in QuickPress section on the dashboard.
4. UI is not fully compatible with IE7 (eg. seprator lines in Stats section on dashboard and mouseover color on the sublinks of toplinks like sublinks of My Account, My Dashboards etc.).
5. Sometimes it does not accept the dragged section at the end of the column on dashboard.
6. Page load time has increased as compared to the earlier version.
first impression good