GenerateBlocks 1.x and Upgrading to 2.0

GenerateBlocks 2.0 introduces a new set of blocks that we refer to as version 2 Blocks.

This article is to assist users who have updated the GenerateBlocks 1.x plugin(s) to 2.0 and want to start working with the new version 2 Blocks.

Full Backward Compatibility

After updating the GenerateBlocks Plugin to version 2.0 – it is important to note the following:

• Your existing site will not change upon updating to GenerateBlocks 2.0.
  • this includes the front end, the block editor, the blocks or the user interface.
• The site will continue to operate exactly as it does now, with no action on your part.
• You decide how and when to migrate existing sites built with GenerateBlocks 1.x to the new system.  

If you want to start using version 2 blocks then read on, or skip to the FAQ to find out more.

Start using version 2 blocks

After updating the plugins from 1.x to the latest versions you will see no immediate changes.

To start using version 2.0 blocks you will need to switch off version 1 blocks. As only one block version can exist in the block inserter. Switching off version 1 blocks:

• will NOT remove or update any existing 1.x blocks on your site.
• will remove version 1.x blocks from the block inserter
• will enable version 2 blocks in the block inserter.

I am not ready for version 2 blocks

If you don’t think you’re ready for version 2 blocks then thats absolutely fine, you can update the plugins to latest versions and leave it at that.

I am ready for version 2 blocks

1. Go to Dashboard > GenerateBlocks > Settings
2. Toggle to disable Use version 1 Blocks
3. Click Save

Block Transformation to Update Version 1 to Version 2 Blocks

Any version 1 blocks already in your site will remain as version 1 blocks. You decide if and when you want to update those blocks to the new version. There is no requirement to update them , they will continue to work exactly as they do today.

Updating a block is done via the block toolbar:

1. select the block
2. in the block toolbar select the block icon
3. from the drop down menu choose the TRANSFORM TO option.

Block transforms

The following table explains which blocks can be transformed:

version 1 blocks	transform to
Headline	Text
Button	Text
Container	Container
Grid	Grid
Image	Image
Query Loop, Accordion, Tabs	None

Depending on how you have set up your blocks, block transformation may not be available, but our support team is available to troubleshoot any issues you encounter. 

Some issues might include:

• Button and Headline blocks should be transformed to a Text block and GenerateBlocks will handle the rest for you.
• The v1 Grid block to v2 blocks is smart and will handle many different scenarios, but it’s not perfect, as there are too many variables at play.
• Transforms aren’t available under certain conditions, such as if the block uses legacy Global Styles.
• The v1 Query Loop, Accordion, and Tabs blocks can’t currently be transformed.

During our long beta period, the GeneratePress team transformed over 60 of our starter sites to v2, and the transforms worked wonders, saving us time and effort. 

That said, you don’t have to update your version 1 blocks to start utilizing the version 2 blocks. Both can exist on the same site and even the same page, so there’s no need to transform them if you don’t want to. 

Fresh installs

Fresh installations will default to the GenerateBlocks version 2 blocks or latest version. For users starting a new site we recommend you use version 2 blocks to take advantage of improvements in performance and capabilities.

How to return to version 1.0. blocks

There may be instances where you do not want to use version 2.0 blocks. Perhaps you or your clients are not ready for the transition, and you need to re-activate the version 1.x. Blocks.

This can be done using one of the following methods:

Method A – manually set the WordPress Option.

To do this you need to edit the WordPress options table and set the gb_use_v1_blocks option value to 1

If you’re not familiar with the WordPress options table, it is a hidden admin found in /wp-admin/options.php

Method B – use a PHP Snippet

Using a Child Theme or the Code snippets plugin to add the following snippet:

add_filter( 'option_gb_use_v1_blocks', '__return_true' );