How To Activate Classic Editor for WordPress

WordPress has evolved over the years, introducing the Block Editor (Gutenberg) as the default editing experience. However, many users still prefer the familiar interface of the Classic Editor. If you’re one of those users, this post will provide you an answer to the question: “How to activate Classic Editor for WordPress?”.

Let’s dive in!

Why Use the Classic Editor

The Classic Editor offers a straightforward and traditional editing experience. It’s particularly useful if you:

• Prefer a word processor-like interface.
• Use plugins that aren’t compatible with the Block Editor.
• Want to maintain consistency across older posts edited with the Classic Editor.

Photo by Markus Winkler

How To Activate Classic Editor for WordPress

For Sites Without Plugins

1. Access the Dashboard: Log in to your WordPress site and go to the dashboard.
2. Navigate to Posts or Pages: On the left side, click on Posts or Pages.
3. Switch to Classic View: In the upper-right corner, click the View tab and select Classic view.
4. Edit with Classic Editor: Hover over the post or page you want to edit and select Classic Editor.

For Sites With Plugins

1. Install the Classic Editor Plugin: Go to Plugins > Add New. Search for ‘Classic Editor’, install and activate it.
2. Configure Settings: Navigate to Settings > Writing and ensure Classic Editor is selected as the default editor.
3. Edit Posts: When creating or editing posts or pages, they will now open in the Classic Editor by default.
4. There’s an option to leave both Block Editor and Classic Editor as options to pick each time you want to edit some post or a page.

Tips for Using the Classic Editor

• The Classic Editor has two tabs: ‘Visual’ and ‘HTML’. Use the ‘Visual’ tab if you’re not familiar with HTML.
• We also suggest trying out the Advanced Editor Tools plugin, made by Automattic.
• Remember, the appearance in the editor might not match the live site exactly due to theme CSS. Use the Preview button to check what the live version looks like!

Conclusion

Switching back to the Classic Editor is a simple process that can make your WordPress experience more comfortable. By following the steps above, you can enjoy the traditional editing environment that you’re accustomed to.

We’ve tried to switch to Gutenberg Block Editor, but the habit of using Classic Editor is still too strong over here! 😀