Do You Need the Classic Editor Plugin? YES!

When WordPress 5.0 is released later this month (or perhaps in January next year) the blocks editor (Gutenberg) will be the default way to create and edit posts.

The Classic Editor plugin provides a way to use the classic editor we've become used to as a personal choice for all new and existing content. Or, by tweaking the setting as I show in this video we can make a choice between the blocks editor and the classic editor on a post by post basis.

Gutenberg or Classic Editor? You CAN Have Both

So yes, in my opinion, you do need the Classic Editor plugin. Everyone who has existing content needs the Classic Editor plugin. The only people who don't need the classic editor plugin are the people who start their WordPress website after WP version 5.0. This is my opinion, based on my experience with WordPress and the Gutenberg plugin.

Although WordPress 5.0 will not break your website, you could break an individual post or page by converting it to blocks when you edit it. I discovered that issue myself before the option to edit on a post by post basis was added to the Classic Editor plugin. At that time it seemed that the best (perhaps the only) way to edit existing content was to convert it to blocks.

The Classic Block

As part of the blocks editor there is a block simply called "Classic". When you're using the blocks editor you may find that you want to do something the "old" way. Use the Classic block. It adds all the stuff you're used to including a way to use the WP Edit plugin if you have it installed.

Hate Change, Love Progress

WordPress 5.0, which incorporates the blocks editor (code-named Gutenberg), is an improvement to the way we create and edit our content. It's the biggest change to the WordPress editor in around 10 years since WYSIWYG was incorporated.

I've been following the reviews and comments on the Gutenberg plugin which is the fore-runner to the new blocks editor. Most of the complaints seem to be from users and developers who resist change, or from people using the plugins and themes that were developed by those who resist change. That's why the Gutenberg plugin was released so that theme and plugin devs could see what's coming and what they need to do to keep up with the changes (progress).

Some plugins and themes need to be updated to work nicely with the new editor. That's progress. Hopefully most of these issues will be resolved by the time WP 5.0 is released.

Don't worry, your premium themes and plugins have been developed by professionals and the professionals are keeping up with progress. You can expect your premium plugins and themes to keep working as usual after WordPress 5.0.

How You Can Help Yourself

Most of the plugins and themes we use are kept up to date by their developers. But not all devs are so professional. Sometimes plugins and themes get abandoned and, when they don't get updated, compatability and security issues ensue.

Please check all your plugins and your themes to make sure that they've been updated within the last few months. If not, then consider changing to better supported plugins and themes.

Any questions?