The Block Editor, paired with GenerateBlocks, is a powerful tool, but maximizing its potential requires the right setup and workflow. In this guide, we’ll share practical tips, key settings, and useful shortcuts to help you work more efficiently and streamline your editing process. Whether you’re new to the editor or an experienced user, these insights will help optimize your workflow and make block editing faster and easier.
WordPress Editor basics
Get started with some recommend reading for the WordPress Editor:
Customizing the editor
The block editor offers various tools, panels, and options to optimize your editing experience. Here are some of our top recommendations for setting it up:
Your editor, your settings
Any changes to your editor preferences are saved to your user profile, allowing you to customize your experience to fit your needs.r specific needs.
The List View
Open the List View in the left sidebar panel
The List View is the most important navigation tool in the WordPress block editor. With it you can:
- see a list of all blocks on the page
- select and jump to any block
- click, hold & drag a block to re-arrange blocks
- shift + click to select and manipulate multiple blocks
- use the list view options, to perform insert, copy, duplicate and other functions
- rename the block in the options to help identify its purpose
Set the List View to be open by default
In the Top Bar > Options -> Preference –> General: Interface check: Always open List View.
The Top Toolbar
the block Toolbar can sometimes get in the way of the content in the editor; blocking the content above it ( or sometimes below it ) making it difficult to read or select other blocks.
To avoid this you can enable Top Bar > Options -> View -> Top Toolbar.
Removing unnecessary blocks
Declutter the block appender by removing unnecessary blocks for a quicker, easier workflow.
To remove blocks go to Top Bar > Options -> Preference –> Blocks
When designing pages with GenerateBlocks, we recommend removing certain core block, as GenerateBlocks offers more design options with full responsive controls. For that reason I recommend removing:
- Button – use GB Button Block
- Group – use Container Block
- Columns – use Grid Block
- Cover – use a Hero Pattern
- Media & Text – use a Hero or Feature Pattern
- Theme blocks – use GB Dynamic Tags
Do not remove the Paragraph block
The Paragraph block is required and should not be removed. If you remove this block then many of the options to add a new block to the page will be removed.
Patterns are your #1 free workflow tool
Patterns will help you deliver consistent designs and significantly reduce build times. With them you can add repeat content quickly and easily. Use them wherever you can.
For more information on the GenerateBlocks Pattern Library and resources on patterns.
Patterns for Buttons
The best way to add buttons to your site is by creating a un-synced pattern for each button style you need. Don’t hesitate to create patterns for specific variations, like a centred button. If you’re a GenerateBlocks Pro user, use Global Styles for even greater control.
Once your pattern is ready, simply insert it wherever needed instead of adding a Button block.
Global Styles are your #1 Pro Workflow tool
Global Styles in GenerateBlocks Pro work like synced patterns for your block styles. Create your global styles once and apply them to any GenerateBlock. If you ever need to update our styles, you can do it all from one place.
Combine global styles and patterns
Enhance your workflow by combining patterns with global styles to create a fully theme-able pattern library. To see how a few well-chosen global styles can help you modify multiple patterns at once, check out the Pro GenerateBlocks Patterns Global Styles guide.
Core Blocks have their place
For regular content writing, we recommend using core Heading, Paragraph and List blocks—they provide everything you need. They also support basic markdown and shortcuts for faster writing.
Use GenerateBlocks when you need to go beyond theme styles, require advanced styling controls or need to incorporate dynamic data within its content.
Shortcuts
There are lots of workflow shortcuts in WordPress
Bulk styling multiple blocks in GenerateBlocks
Use Shift + Click in List View to select multiple blocks of the same type. Then, apply style properties to all selected blocks at once.
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Quickly find and filter Style controls in GenerateBlocks
Save time and use Search and visibility filters to find style controls fast
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Keyboard Shortcuts
Operating System keyboard shortcuts
View all the available keyboard shortcuts for Windows or MacOs in Top Bar > Options > Keyboard Shortcuts
The Type / to choose a block option
For keyboard users this is one of the quickest method of adding blocks and Local Patterns. In the new block appender line, where prompted, simply type a forward slash / followed by the block name or local pattern.
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Markdown Support
What’s faster than typing / to add a block? Use markdown to quickly insert content, automatically creating the correct block with the required HTML tag. Such as a Heading, or a Ordered List.