Classic Block Phase Out
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The ?classic-editor addition to the URL didn’t work for me but that’s likely because I’m not adding a new page. I also can’t install the classic editor plugin without a commercial plan, or am I misunderstanding? I can make the new HTML editor work for me in combination with SeaMonkey, but it’s definitely more work in some ways and less so in others. Thanks.
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You generally do not need to manually convert all your old posts. The warning is referring to the Classic Block inside the WordPress block editor, not necessarily the removal of your existing content.
A few points that may help:
- Existing posts created with the Classic Editor should continue to display normally. The warning is about editing, not publishing.
- If the automatic Convert to Blocks option breaks layouts, captions, or image placement, you don’t have to use it right away.
- To preserve custom formatting exactly as it is, you can use a Custom HTML block, but there is no need to convert every old article preemptively.
- Editing content in the Classic Block’s HTML/Text view does not automatically turn it into a Custom HTML block. It remains a Classic Block unless you explicitly convert it.
- If WordPress eventually removes the Classic Block entirely, they will almost certainly provide a migration path rather than simply breaking existing content. It would be highly unusual for old posts to become unusable overnight.
For now, the safest approach is to leave older posts alone unless they need editing. If you do need to update a post with complex formatting, make a copy or test the conversion first, since image captions and custom layouts are common areas where automatic conversion can produce unexpected results.
Regarding the Classic Editor setting itself, whether you can still disable the block editor depends on whether you’re using WordPress.com or a self-hosted WordPress site with the Classic Editor plugin. If you tell us which platform you’re using, we can provide the exact steps.
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staff-barett: Someone else helped me to get the Classic Editor link back so that’s all set. Thank you. As long as I can still use the Classic Editor or something that just as easy to write and format in for my existing layout I can focus on writing the articles and leave formatting for the archive pages. (I’ll have to look into that file block for my PDF comics.) Now I just need to decide what I’m doing with themes since both my sites have outdated themes but I still like what they do.
dtoub: Out of curiosity did you do the full URL? (yourwordpresssitename.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?classic-editor)
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Thanks. Unfortunately that link will only work to create a new post rather than to enable me to edit my home page at https://dbtmusic.wordpress.com/
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Okay, a little tricker because the edit has the post number in it. For example “yoursitename.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=119514&action=edit&classic-editor”
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I have a shortcut on my Mac using TypeIt4Me so that all I have to do is copy the URL in my browser, type “ceditor” and it automatically pastes the full URL appended with &classic-editor.
But I also just now copied the HTML into a note, reverted to an old version, pasted in the latest code, and left it without conversion to the new HTML editor or Blocks. So I’m back where I had been and it’s all good. Thanks again! -
How far back does WP save? I’m not seeing revisions for my main page before 2-3 weeks ago and that was after I converted to the new HTML format. Is there any way to have WP revert to a version from 5-6 weeks ago? Pasting in old code from a backup isn’t changing to the old editor. Thanks!
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Hi Barrett–
Thanks for answering, but it’s not the Classic Editor people are complaining about but the Classic Editor BLOCK. For me, once that block goes away, I have index pages on my site that I won’t be able to maintain, and I have the Classic Editor Block plugin. Also, we all have posts we need to go back and edit for whatever reason, so this idea that posts can stay frozen in time isn’t reality.
And I’m with everyone else–it’s becoming more and more clear that WordPress no longer wants to host bloggers. Your ads prove it. I’m extremely disappointed in WordPress, although I’ll try to keep things going. However, if I can’t feasibly work after the Classic Editor block goes away, my blog will have to end.
My blog is http://takinguproom.com
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Yes, the message is clear. Use the block editor and like it, or go away. It was much easier to like it when the Classic Block was available. I am exploring options for going away.
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Yeah, same here. I really don’t want to, but there may not be another option. It stinks. Maybe WordPress will back down or give us an alternative besides the archaic Classic Editor mode, but I’m not holding my breath.
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Hi there, just coming back to mention:
I understood that this forum topic concerned the Classic Block and not the full Classic Editor. (Yes, giving the Classic Block the title of “Classic Editor” once inserted is more than confusing. However, they are two different things.)
If the issue is editing your existing content in a Classic Block please see my reply earlier in this thread.
To add a Classic Block to a new post, see if duplicating an existing post that includes a Classic Block gives you a new Classic Block. Alternatively, type a few plain text sentences in the Code Editor (the second bit on that page where it says “f you want to edit the entire page in HTML”) and then switch back to the Visual Editor. That should leave you with a Classic Block which you then should be able to edit following my earlier reply.
Please take these workarounds with a grain of salt, because there is no guarantee they’ll be around in the future.
I also recommend that if you run into formatting issues in the future, open a new forum topic rather than piling on to an existing one. It makes it much easier to assist you. Cheers.
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Hi,
688
I just noticed on my blog that the layout of some photos has changed (mainly vertical photos that are completely stretched). This doesn’t appear on smartphones, but it’s present on PCs regardless of the browser. I saw the message about the Classic Block and I imagine it’s related (I haven’t touched the site in a while except for paying for the domain name). Here’s an example of a page where the problem occurs: https://untouraujapon.com/2019/12/14/entre-tsumago-et-magome-balade-sur-la-nakasendo/ You can see the stretched photos (the 7th and 12th photos in the article, for example). Thanks in advance for your advice!
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Hi there @untouraujapon there is an open forum topic dealing with elongated photos. Do feel free to add your concern there. https://wordpress.com/forums/topic/elongated-images/
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No, you don’t need to convert all your old posts right away. The warning is mainly about future editing, not how your published content displays.
If block conversion breaks your layout, keep the content as-is for now or use a Custom HTML block for posts with custom formatting. Existing posts should continue to work, and switching to HTML view in the Classic Editor does not automatically convert content to an HTML block.
For now, only convert posts when you need to edit them.
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