Title: What’s new in Gutenberg? (11th December) Author: Matias Ventura Published: December 11, 2017 Last modified: May 20, 2020 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/matveb/) [Matias Ventura](https://profiles.wordpress.org/matveb/) 4:10 pm _on_ December 11, 2017 Tags: [core-editor ( 761 )](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/core-editor/), [editor ( 223 )](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/editor/), [gutenberg ( 553 )](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/gutenberg/), [gutenberg-new ( 220 )](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/gutenberg-new/)    # What’s new in Gutenberg? (11th December) GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc. [https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/) is back to a regular schedule after a great WCUS in Nashville which included many conversations and exchanges of ideas. If you missed it, checkout Matt’s [_State of the Word_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOY3ZUO6P0k) presentation for an overview of how the year has gone and what lies ahead for Gutenberg.( It also includes a demo of the pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/) or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. in action.) It was great to have new people helping at contributor dayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of [https://make.wordpress.org/](https://make.wordpress.org/) There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. [https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/](https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/) and submitting pull requests. Thanks! --- This release introduces global reusable blocks as the main highlight, but there are also improvements to templates (ability to lock them down), versioning blockBlock Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience. attributes so markup can be migrated, and many extensibility additions as well as bugbug A bug is an error or unexpected result. Performance improvements, code optimization, and are considered enhancements, not defects. After feature freeze, only bugs are dealt with, with regressions (adverse changes from the previous version) being the highest priority. fixes. ![](https://make.wordpress.org/core/files/2017/12/reusable-block.gif) ## 󠀁[1.9 ⌊🐆⌉](https://wordpress.org/plugins/gutenberg/)󠁿 * Introducing [reusable global blocks](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3378).( Stored in a `wp_blocks` post type.) * Add ability to [lock down the editor](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3686) when using templates so edits can happen but blocks can't be removed, moved, nor added. * Handle and upgrade [deprecated blocks](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3665#issuecomment-350006596). This allows to migrate attributes without invalidating blocks and an important part of the block APIAPI An API or Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows programs to interact with each other and share data in limited, clearly defined ways.. * Drag and drop upload support [to gallery block](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3819). * [Extensibility](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3493): - Expose packages/hooksHooks In WordPress theme and development, hooks are functions that can be applied to an action or a Filter in WordPress. Actions are functions performed when a certain event occurs in WordPress. Filters allow you to modify certain functions. Arguments used to hook both filters and actions look the same. public API under `wp.hooks`. - Introduces _withFilters_ higher-order component to make component filtering easier. - Introduces _getWrapperDisplayName_ helper function to make debugging ReactReact React is a JavaScript library that makes it easy to reason about, construct, and maintain stateless and stateful user interfaces. [https://reactjs.org](https://reactjs.org/) tree easier. - Introduces _compose_ function to unify composing higher-order components. - Exposes hook for _Block_ component. ### Other changes * [Updated](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3750) demo post with a nicer presentation for people to test with. * Added automated [RTL support](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3844). * Convert unknown shortcodes to ShortcodeShortcode A shortcode is a placeholder used within a WordPress post, page, or widget to insert a form or function generated by a plugin in a specific location on your site. block [when pasting](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3610). * [Avoid splitting blocks](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3823) during rich text pasting. * Disable block selection [when resizing image](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3602). * [Prefetch](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3616) metaMeta Meta is a term that refers to the inside workings of a group. For us, this is the team that works on internal WordPress sites like WordCamp Central and Make WordPress.- boxes and don't reload them on save. * Support for all [admin color schemes](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3817). * [Close sidebar](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3332) when resizing from non mobile breakpoints to mobile sizes. * Apply content autop disabling filterFilter Filters are one of the two types of Hooks [https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks](https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks). They provide a way for functions to modify data of other functions. They are the counterpart to Actions. Unlike Actions, filters are meant to work in an isolated manner, and should never have side effects such as affecting global variables and output. [before do_blocks](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3769). Also fixes case where server-side rendered blocks produce extraneous whitespace in output. * Use [cite element instead of footer](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3851) for quote and pull-quote source markup. * [Respect](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3742) recency order when displaying Recent blocks. * Update the behavior of notices reducer to respect ID as a unique identifier, [removing duplicate entries](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3764). * Improve quote to paragraph [transformations](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3802). Fixes cases where quote would be split into two. * Use two flex rows instead of one wrapped row [in Url modal](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3812) for cleaner and more consistent display. * Avoid restricting endpoints to `/wp/v2` [in withApiData](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3778). * Remove duplicated and simplify [inserter between blocks styles](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3705). * [Remove](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3729) unnecessary padding on top of editor when fixed toolbar is off. * [Avoid intercepting](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3856) rendering of removed meta boxes. * Replace redux-responsive [with a simpler custom alternative](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3878), fixing a bug with IE11. * [Fix issues](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3740) with bullet-point positioning affecting block display. * [Fix meta attributes selector](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3754) not returning the correct value if edited. * [Fix](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3753) inconsistent animation on settings button. * [Fix style issues](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3762) on Custom HTMLHTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting language primarily used for outputting content in web browsers. block's toolbar. * [Fix broken styles](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3763) in "edit as HTML" mode. * [Fix image block description](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3756) when no image is set. * [Fix horizontal overflow](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3786) for selects with long names in sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme.. * [Fix case](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/3795) where link modal closes upon typing into UrlInput when toolbar is docked to the paragraph. * Fix webpack config issue [on Node 6](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3757). * [Fix issue](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3826) with vertical arrow keys leaking to horizontal menu when toolbar is fixed to block. * [Fix keyboard trap](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3866) in the form token component and improve accessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “ direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility). * [Fix React warning](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3876) when saving reusable blocks. * [Fix issue](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3825) with horizontal arrow key closing link dialog in fixed toolbar mode. * Fix image resize handlers [in RTL mode](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3909). * [Prevent](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3775/files) "Add New" dropdown from overriding other plugin functionality. * Split Sass variables file into [multiple files](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3804). * Updated blue links for [better contrast](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3790). * [Resolve notice](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3674) when template variable is not set. * Added unit tests for [row panel](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3774), [color panel](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3776) ([snapshot](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3797)), and [warning](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3780) components. * Add unit tests for [editor actions](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3787)( with [further cleanup](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3863)). * Added snapshots tests for [BlockControls](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3884). * Added [documentation](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3346) for Editable component. * [Avoid](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3837) caching vendor directory in Travis. * Add document [on snapshot testing](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3818). * Add node and npm [version check](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3905) before build gets started. * [Update cypress](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3906) and use the newly introduced Cypress.platform functionality. * Improve [composer.json setup](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/1229). * Improve [testing overview](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3861) document. ### From 1.8.1 * Add ability to switch published post [back to draft](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3718). * [Fix issue](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3714) when changing column count in "text columns" block. * Prioritize common items in the autocomplete inserter. * [Avoid](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3717) changing publish/update button label when saving draft. * Add [bottom padding](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3717) to the editor container to improve experience of writing long posts. * Adjust the Classic block toolbar so [it doesn't jump](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3717). * [Colorize](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3717) the little arrow on the left of the adminadmin (and super admin) menu to white to match body content. * Update autocomplete suggestions colors to have a [sufficient color contrast](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/3700) ratio. * Abort focus update when editor is not yet initialized. [#core-editor](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/core-editor/), [#editor](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/editor/), [#gutenberg](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/gutenberg/), [#gutenberg-new](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/gutenberg-new/) ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/12/11/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11th-december/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/12/11/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11th-december/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/12/11/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11th-december/?share=bluesky) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/12/11/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11th-december/?share=x) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/12/11/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11th-december/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/12/11/whats-new-in-gutenberg-11th-december/?share=linkedin) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0608b540c7da83b396fd9a453ad1ac0298152522bc3a06888d41649e4024a089? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [Ahmad Awais](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mrahmadawais/) 4:21 pm _on_ December 11, 2017 3. 🙌 Super excited about Reusable blocks. 4. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f4ebf9368b7a3af8c3f46bd5b92e0d517eecc3150090e49598271a63ebccb83f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Florian TIAR](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mista-flo/) 8:19 pm _on_ December 11, 2017 * +1, this is a must have 🙂 5. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/21e0ebb61bf38fac73d8e0d4b978ab45dff9d56da4526ebc42ca14c4edbfa09c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 6. [Grant Palin](https://profiles.wordpress.org/grantpalin/) 9:48 pm _on_ December 11, 2017 7. Big ups for the reusable blocks and lockable editor. 8. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/11b3208a1a1cab3c1b4d8c1b2691b11a317f8a81ed5a4eaf75473c12aedc52de? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 9. [brendanf](https://profiles.wordpress.org/brendanf/) 5:04 am _on_ December 12, 2017 10. Love the lockable editor, great work! 🙂 11. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3ebfe217786bd143ed42dacf5829d1485315ee39614b8f7ba8f16458b6ef1086? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Anwer Abdul Rehman](https://profiles.wordpress.org/aranwer104/) 12:21 am _on_ December 13, 2017 * AAA+ for reusable blocks and overall GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc. [https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/) project. 12. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1aa31428a372ef9bb8deded361ef5d6d4408f77f1bb8c076e8f1d6283e11959d? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 13. [Ronester](https://profiles.wordpress.org/neffect/) 2:21 pm _on_ December 13, 2017 14. Reusable blocks ftw! Now, if only they can make them reusable across sites on the same WP-Networknetwork (versus site, blog)…that would take it up a notch. The added benefit for larger enterprise sites using network WP for multiple sites is huge (ex. universities). 15. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5829b86926e8946e34585c1937a39cb188ee38e8f34030d74d6404c972ea514e? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Paal Joachim Romdahl](https://profiles.wordpress.org/paaljoachim/) 8:48 pm _on_ December 17, 2017 * Go ahead and create an issue at the [Gutenberg Github repo](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues). With a scenario on how you think it should work. How it would benefit. How it could extend where the reusable blocks are at right now. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a7873a730eebbbf667e941eaefba2f3f16ee7fe49a5661507569ada7f46b94dc? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Birgit Pauli-Haack](https://profiles.wordpress.org/bph/) 10:13 pm _on_ December 17, 2017 * yes, that would indeed be very beneficial for a lot of reasons! 16. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3b1b195e49b15124eba51d2084fdec22250df0fd6c7df01731c9244bc3f8c665? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 17. [Marius84](https://profiles.wordpress.org/marius84/) 2:34 am _on_ December 20, 2017 18. People don’t want GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc. [https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/). Leave the coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. without this. Remember me the windows 8 fail. Comments are closed. # Post navigation [← Dev Chat Agenda for December 6th (4.9.2 week 1)](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/12/06/dev-chat-agenda-for-december-6th-4-9-2-week-1/) [PHP Meeting Recap – December 11th →](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2017/12/18/php-meeting-recap-december-11th/)