Well folks, I have to say that this morning was frustrating and traumatic for me. Any access to my old WP editor had vanished completely and I tried to write a book review. Anyone watching me would have laughed. I was almost literally pulling out my hair.
First off, I hate using ‘blocks’. Then, I found I couldn’t paste text into the new editor without using the old Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V commands. (That’s a step backward surely?) And don’t even get me started on trying to wrap my text around a graphic. GRRRRRRRR.
Another thing was I found it beyond annoying to try to use a graphic that was already in my media library. When I searched for it, it just kept scrolling and scrolling and I couldn’t even find the one I wanted. This is such a simple process with the classic editor.
I tried searching for a solution online and learned that to use the classic editor I had to install a ‘plug-in’ – so I downloaded the plug-in. Then… I learned that to install the plug-in I needed the ‘Business Plan’ of WordPress (which costs $ 396.00 per year or $33.00 per month)
I lost it completely. Then, in a moment of divine inspiration I went on Twitter to VENT. A lovely bookblogger friend of mine heard my plea and instructed me on how to regain access to the classic editor. She literally saved my life.
So huge kudos have to go to Janet From First Page to Last blog. Janet spent hours figuring this problem out and generously shared the products of her efforts. As I know many of my fellow bookbloggers are struggling with this issue as well, I thought I’d share what she told me.
All thanks must go to Janet Emson. If you want to thank her, here is her Twitter handle @JanetEmson
And now, what you’ve all been waiting for…. the instructions:
Now when you click on ‘Posts’ you will be given the option to use the old classic editor!
Hope those of you who have not already figured this out for themselves find the information useful. I know that I’ll always be grateful to Janet…
Fictionophile 
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Sx
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So glad this ‘fix’ worked for you Scarlet. 😘
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Gahhhhh! So sorry to hear this was so stressful for you. I’ve had a bit of an experience myself this morning, trying to install the new Google Analytics tag. If it’s any consolation, I shifted to block editor very early on (figuring I was going to have to eventually anyway, so if I must, I must), and now I would never go back. On occasion, I’ve helped out on other blogs where they’re still using the classic editor, and it’s like trying to use a fax machine to send an email! Glad you’ve found a work-around for now, but rest assured when the time for Blocks comes, it will all be okay 😘
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Thanks so much Sheree. You know what they say about old dogs and new tricks. I’m a very old dog 😍🤪📚
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Glad to see it worked. I’m not sure what the work around is for the free plan. I may ask WordPress.
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💕📚
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I forgot to ask, does anyone know if this works if you upgrade to the lowest price plan. I am on the completely free plan but would gladly pay the $4 a month if I could get the classic editor back!
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I’m using the lowest price plan and it works for me.
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I may try it!
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I was so excited to see this but then saw the other responses about only working with the ad-free plan… This has been a huge frustration for me and has caused me to quit participating in events for certain authors because they only send out HTMLs for release blitzes, etc and I can’t format them the way I want and the way I could when it was the classic editor. My posts have reduced by over half since these changes 😦 I have posted several help posts on their forums but all of the instructions I get don’t work. It’s just so frustrating! Thanks for your post!
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So sorry that this little ‘fix’ doesn’t work for you… I know only too well just how frustrating it is. I use the cheapest paid plan. I pay $4.50 Cdn. per month. I changed mostly to get rid of those annoying ads – but now this added bonus it is worth the cost to me.
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Didn’t work for me. Maybe I don’t have a good enough plan.
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Since uploading this post I’ve discovered that it only works with the ad-free plans. Sorry…
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Oh well… I just keep using my old posts with the classic editor as templates for my new ones, then! Thanks all the same.
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Interesting post, many thanks! I don’t mind the blocks and have been using them for a while. I have a whole other issue with WP at the moment. Every second or third time I make a change to a post it tells me “Updating failed. You are not allowed to edit this post.” Very frustrating. Apparently it’s a known issue which they haven’t been able to sort out. So I have to log out and log in again up to 14 times to publish one blog post!
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Oh, how awfully frustrating! Hope this issue is resolved soon.
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It worked!! ARRRRRRR!!!!!!
x The Captain
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So glad it worked for you. ♥
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I hear a lot of frustrations with block editor so thought I’d give a different perspective. I’ve been using block editor for over a year now and love it. I wasn’t a fan initially and actually gave up and returned to classic editor mode for a time. But second attempt was more successful. It’s like everything new, you have to practice a bit before you get it.
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I’m pleased to hear that you have been successfully using the block editor. I’d love to be able to watch you compose a post…doing things like wrapping text around a graphic, inserting a often used graphic from your media library, etc. Congratulations on your patience. 👏
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Try this for doing a wrap around the graphic. If it doesn’t work, just send me a direct message via Twitter (@bookertalk) Insert an image block, pull in the image. Don’t change the alignment at this stage
Next: insert a new paragraph block under the image block – add your text. Then go back up to the image block, click it, and change the alignment. Your text will now move up to align with the image. If your text is deeper than the image, then the text will just wrap around.
If you change your mind and want the image on the left, just go back up to the toolbar, select the “alignment button”, select the image left option from the drop down menu. The text and image will still be aligned.
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Thanks for your time and supportive comments. I’ll give it a go next time. 😍
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Oh wow, this will save me hours! Thanks SO much for this hint – just tried it and it works beautifully. I
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So pleased to hear that it worked for you Suidi. 👍😘
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Thanks for this Lynne (and Janet)! Unfortunately I don’t have this interface, probably because I’m using a free version of WP. I guess I’ll just have to keep on copying my posts and then editing them as usual.
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Oh Nicki, I’m so sorry that this is not working for those who use the free plans. Honestly, I think if Janet hadn’t saved me when she did I might have changed my blog host. I have the cheapest paid plan there is. I pay $4.50 Cdn. per month. I changed mostly to get rid of those pesky ads.
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Thanks Lynne I might upgrade to the cheapest paid account, as there’s an offer on at the moment.
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I am stuck with Block too, have been for months and I find the whole page jumps around when I am typing or trying to change font sizes. I hate it. I don’t have time to mess around ‘discovering’ what it can do. So flipping annoying.
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I agree Jane. It was doing that jumping around when I was trying to insert an image from my media library. 🤨 I’m sure the developers created the block editor with big businesses in mind – not us individual bloggers.
Does the fix not work for you?
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I have not had a chance to try it yet, the fix, so will let you know. Am snowed under at the moment. I am must be getting old, all this change. Facebook is doing my head in as well! I know, keep calm! LOL
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Pedophiles, rapists and whoever at WordPress is pushing the new block editor on us, all deserve the same wing of the prison.
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🤣😅😂
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yup–i checked my blog after posting above. sure enough, i do not have that interface setting option, but i think you recently changed your account type. i’m still the free, all ads plopped into the middle of my posts type acct.
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i tried that miserable block editor several times and never could get anything i was happy with–monumental struggle. i gave it up and discovered it hidden under WP Admin, “all posts” drop down, but i will keep this little bit of info as you never know when WP will throw you another wrinkle.
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Well Virginia, I was using the ‘All Posts’ drop down location for the classic editor up until this morning – WHEN IT VANISHED! The only way I could get it back was by following Janet’s instructions. Weird!
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oh, i’m sorry. didn’t see your comment. i posted a review around 2:30 pm CDT and the classic editor option was available or i’d have gone into the same apoplexy you did.
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It didn’t work for me. What I’ve been doing is creating the post and when I get in the first block, I type /classic and it comes up for me.
When I go to interface settings, I don’t see an option for “Dashboard Appearance.”
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How odd… perhaps it depends on what WordPress theme you are using? I’m not sure.
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I think it does!
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Great news! I changed my dashboard appearance and the option showed up!!! This will save me SO much time. Thank you, thank you, thank you💜💜💜
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Fantastic news Jonetta. 🤗
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I do it too this way! I’m on a free plan as well. I hope they don’t delete this option though because I seriously can’t work with the block editor.
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The block editor should come with a week long training session Inge. My frustrations with it are shared by many.
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I’m not on a free plan. Not sure why that dashboard option doesn’t display for me.
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Oh… how puzzling.
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I did an entire post on my dissatisfaction with block editor. I was ready to abandon blogging because of it. WP reached out and first tried to train me. Then they abandoned their plan to permanently get rid of classic. It’s harder doing it the way that I do but at least I can do it!
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Very strange 🤨
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Ps..I followed Janet’s blog and Twitter….thanks for the links!
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Reblogged this on Carla Loves To Read and commented:
Thanks to Lynne at Fictionophile who posted this information from Janet @ From First Page to Last blog
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I love you Lynne and Janet. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! 🤗😘
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Oh my goodness! This picture captures my mood exactly!!! I’m asking permission to steal it to use in any future post discussing block editor!!! I wish we lived close and we could vent in person over lunch! The way I’ve been getting around it is to use templates that I created ages ago in classic….or I copy an old post I know I’ve created in classic. Bless you Janet for your problem solving skills! We owe you! When you share this post to Twitter you need to tag WP!
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