Title: Call for Testing: Gutenberg 4.2 Pre-release Author: Sheri Grey Published: October 31, 2018 Last modified: December 19, 2023 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/designsimply/) [Sheri Grey](https://profiles.wordpress.org/designsimply/) 6:44 pm _on_ October 31, 2018 Tags: [4.2 ( 14 )](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/4-2/), [call for testing ( 25 )](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/call-for-testing/), [core-editor ( 12 )](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/core-editor/), [editor ( 30 )](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/editor/), [gutenberg ( 74 )](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/gutenberg/)    # Call for Testing: Gutenberg 4.2 Pre-release 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 currently the main focus for the testing group and it is the [new editing experience in WordPress](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/). The goal of Gutenberg is to simplify the creation of rich pages and posts in WordPress by replacing old custom HTMLHTML HTML is an acronym for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is a markup language that is used in the development of web pages and websites., CSSCSS CSS is an acronym for cascading style sheets. This is what controls the design or look and feel of a site., and shortcodes with native Blocks. [Download Gutenberg v4.2.0-rc.1](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/releases/download/v4.2.0-rc.1/gutenberg.zip) To help test, please [download ](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/releases/tag/v4.2.0-rc.1)` [gutenberg.zip](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/releases/tag/v4.2.0-rc.1)` [ from the releases page](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/releases/tag/v4.2.0-rc.1) or use the button above, install/activate 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., and try testing any of the items listed below (or anything listed in the [4.2 release notes](https://make.wordpress.org/core/?p=35007)). Testing even just a few items is helpful. All testing is welcome! 1. In 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. toolbars, check that all writing formatters (e.g. bold, italic, link, strikethrough) work as expected. Try both clicking and keyboard shortcuts. Try from different browsers. ([10209](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10209)) 2. Add several blocks and use the sibling inserter to add new blocks between them. Try from different browsers. ([11018](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/11018), [11243](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/11243)) 3. Add new categories to a post. Save draft. Refresh. Are categories added as expected?( [10089](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10089)) 4. Type some text into a paragraph block and check that pressing `Escape` makes the block toolbar appear (note: Unified Toolbar mode should be off for this test).( [10906](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10906)) 5. Type `/img` into a new block and check that the image block appears as an option.( [10955](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10955)) 6. Add the Latest Posts block, toggle “Display post date” on, publish or preview the post and check that the `has-dates` class appears in the source code both in the editor and on the front end. ([10727](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10727)) 7. Using a small screen (mobile), check that you can open and close the Options panel from More menu (three dots, very top right) > Options (near the bottom). ([10894](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/10894)) 8. Add an image, add a link for the image (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. near the bottom), toggle “Open in New Window” on, publish the post and check that a new window opens when you click on the image.( [9520](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/9520)) 9. Add a button block and change the background and text color. Do the color changes work as you expected? ([10658](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10658)) 10. Add a file block, attache a file, publish the post, and check that the “Download” button works normally. Try different types of files. ([10976](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10976)) 11. Turn on Unified Toolbar mode. Add a Media & Text block and check that you can resize media. ([10913](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10913)) 12. Add a classic block and include some inline images, links, bold text, italic text and try modifying each of those after making edits throughout.  ([10723](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10723)) 13. Using a small screen (mobile), log in as a contributor, submit a post, and make sure the “Submit for Review” button appears. ([10941](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10941)) 14. General: performance improvements were made to toolbars, inserters, and the classic block. Did you notice the changes? ([ref](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pulls?q=is%3Apr+milestone%3A4.2+label%3APerformance)) 15. General: some descriptions of blocks and options in block settings have changed. If you spot one that doesn’t make sense to you, leave a note in the comments here or ask about it in [#core-editor](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/core-editor/) on SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform [https://slack.com/](https://slack.com/). The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at [https://make.wordpress.org/chat/](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/). 16. General 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): in the WP Admin main menu on the left, go to Gutenberg > Demo and try to navigate to the pullquote block using the keyboard. Did keyboard navigation work as expected for you? Why or why not? Add notes for this one to the comments here and I will pull details and compile them for a succinct issue if needed. 🙂 17. _There is more to test! See [What’s new in Gutenberg? (30th Oct)](https://make.wordpress.org/core/?p=35007)_. #### Accessibility Related I wanted to call out accessibility-related testing steps this time in order to highlight some of the important accessibility updates coming through right now and because it may make sense to group them together while testing. Anyone can help test these! 1. Type some text into a paragraph block and check that the toolbar shows when you press `Escape`. ([10906](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10906)) 2. Add a Media & Text block with an image and change the alt text for the image. ( [11073](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/11073)) 3. Open the sidebar, click “Document”, press `Tab`, press `Spacebar`, check that the“ Block” tab is still focused. ([10917](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10917)) 4. Using a screen reader (if you have a Mac you can use VoiceOver and Safari), open the block inserter, search for a block, and check that you hear an audible response for the number of search results or “no results”. ([10755](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10755)) 5. Using a screen reader (if you have a Mac you can use VoiceOver and Safari): add, edit, and then remove a link and check that those actions are announced audibly.( [10795](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10795)) #### Bonus Round I’m also adding a separate section as an optional bonus round for testing. You should test these if you know of (or can find) custom plugins that use some of the updated capabilities (such as registering new toolbar buttons in blocks) or if you would like to help test Gutenberg with popular plugins. If you think of a plugin you’d like to see added, please comment to note it! 1. Add a WordPress embed and check that there is not a big empty space after the block.( [10985](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10985)) 2. Find a plugin that adds buttons to any block toolbar and check that the added buttons are working as expected. ([11196](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/11196)) 3. i18n: using a small screen (mobile) and with the site language set to something other than English, log in as a contributor, submit a post, and make sure the “ Submit for Review” button appears. ([10941](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10941)) 4. i18n: change your site language to something other than English and check that taxonomyTaxonomy A taxonomy is a way to group things together. In WordPress, some common taxonomies are category, link, tag, or post format. [https://codex.wordpress.org/Taxonomies#Default_Taxonomies](https://codex.wordpress.org/Taxonomies#Default_Taxonomies). panels display localized strings. ([8449](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/8449)) 5. i18n: install a plugin which contains a block name made in a non-Latin script ( e.g. _Список_ for the List block in Russian) and check that the block appears when you type `/сп` into a new block. Note that searching for names with diacrytics should also work. ([10961](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10961), [10770](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10770)) 6. Plugin developers can now disable post publishing (lock the post) if certain conditions aren’t met such as a required a minimum title length, requiring a featured imageFeatured image A featured image is the main image used on your blog archive page and is pulled when the post or page is shared on social media. The image can be used to display in widget areas on your site or in a summary list of posts., disallowing certain types of content, etc. If you have a plugin which has a pre-publish lock or checklist, can you note it in the comments with testing steps? 🙂 ([10649](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10649)) 7. Test with [Advanced Custom Forms (ACF)](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/). 8. Test with [Yoast SEO](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/). If you find a new bug, please [file it in `gutenberg` on GitHub](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/new/choose). Thank you! Block developers: note that there are several [deprecations in 4.2](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/handbook/reference/deprecated/#4-2-0) to keep an eye on. It is also noteworthy that you can now write a format that is usable across all blocks that use `RichText` ([10209](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10209)). Please join us in [#core-test](https://wordpress.slack.com/messages/core-test/) on [WordPress Slack](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/) any time if you have questions about testing! [#4-2](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/4-2/), [#call-for-testing](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/call-for-testing/), [#editor](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/editor/), [#gutenberg](https://make.wordpress.org/test/tag/gutenberg/) ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/10/31/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/10/31/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/10/31/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release/?share=bluesky) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/10/31/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release/?share=x) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/10/31/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/10/31/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release/?share=linkedin) * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Ftest%2F2018%2F10%2F31%2Fcall-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release%2F%23respond&locale=en_US) ### Like this: Like Loading… 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5058d52425c1e7f41d9e5303d1d8adfaf3a25aa78c62c6e4ebe0ecce5329090b? s=32&d=identicon&r=g) 2. [designsimply](https://profiles.wordpress.org/designsimply/) 9:39 pm _on_ October 31, 2018 3. Added a missed item that’s pretty important. Writing formatters have been refactored! 4. > In 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. toolbars, check that all writing formatters (bold, italic, > underline, link) work as expected. Try both clicking and keyboard shortcuts. > Try from different browsers. ([10209](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10209)) 5. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5058d52425c1e7f41d9e5303d1d8adfaf3a25aa78c62c6e4ebe0ecce5329090b? s=32&d=identicon&r=g) 6. [designsimply](https://profiles.wordpress.org/designsimply/) 1:57 am _on_ November 1, 2018 7. I tested items 1-3 today using WordPress 4.9.8 and 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/) 4.2.0-rc.1 with Firefox 63.0 on macOS 10.13.6. 8. Notes: 9. * I tested writing formatters (bold, italic, link, strikethrough) in the paragraph 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. and plan to run more tests from other blocks as well. Filed an issue I found where some formatters (toolbar buttons) go missing after switching the block type or switching from the code editor back to the visual editor.( [11339](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/11339)) * Filed an issue where clicking the “Add block” icon (sibling inserter) doesn’t always make the block library appear. ([11340](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/11340)) * Filed an issue about how the “Add block” icon gets focus if you navigate to it using the keyboard but you can’t see the icon because it’s behind the toolbar( note: tested the paragraph block only). ([11345](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/11345)) * Tested and confirmed a problem where the Categories panel content is missing for non-administrator roles which was already reported by slimmilkduds 😍. ( [11335](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/11335#issuecomment-434868599)) 10. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aa89edf971372c035a02c633667412facd8b00fd6946fe4f208f7aed7f7bb524? s=32&d=identicon&r=g) 11. [Naoko Takano](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nao/) 12:59 pm _on_ November 1, 2018 12. I only tested Bonus Round 3-5 since they are i18n related issues. 13. > 3. […] make sure the “Submit for Review” button appears. 14. Worked fine. 15. ![](https://cldup.com/LAhEcPUPST-3000x3000.png) 16. > 4. change your site language to something other than English and check that > taxonomyTaxonomy A taxonomy is a way to group things together. In WordPress, > some common taxonomies are category, link, tag, or post format. [https://codex.wordpress.org/Taxonomies#Default_Taxonomies](https://codex.wordpress.org/Taxonomies#Default_Taxonomies). > panels display localized strings. 17. I clicked around the taxonomy panels but the strings stayed translated. 18. #5 was tricky – I tested in Japanese and found that it doesn’t work as expected. 19. ![](https://cldup.com/hK47K-DUya.gif) 20. When a word such as 画像 (image) is entered, nothing is suggested. It start showing suggestions when I move the cursor between 画 and 像 then move it at the end again. Or if I delete the second character. 21. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5058d52425c1e7f41d9e5303d1d8adfaf3a25aa78c62c6e4ebe0ecce5329090b? s=32&d=identicon&r=g) * [designsimply](https://profiles.wordpress.org/designsimply/) 1:02 am _on_ November 3, 2018 * Thank you for testing! * I saw that you posted at [https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10961#issuecomment-435266404](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/10961#issuecomment-435266404) 😍 and I followed up there. 22. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4fd344e387cd0febbb417ee2a2bef7db6b40c8f7ecf4265fb41dcef8e9fa8c4b? s=32&d=identicon&r=g) 23. [Joe Dolson](https://profiles.wordpress.org/joedolson/) 3:44 pm _on_ November 1, 2018 24. #16: 25. Opened demo. Autofocus set to post title. Arrowed down until I reached the pullquote 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. successfully. (80 key presses.) 26. Alternate route (with prior knowledge of the block navigation menuNavigation Menu A theme feature introduced with Version 3.0. WordPress includes an easy to use mechanism for giving various control options to get users to click from one place to another on a site. & keyboard shortcuts): Autofocus set to post title. `Alt + Shift + O` to move to block navigation menu. Down arrow 30 times to reach ‘pullquote’ block. Enter move focus to block. Block becomes editable. Test performed twice; once with keyboard only, once with keyboard & NVDA. 27. This works, but has low discoverability. Without prior knowledge of the keyboard shortcuts, this is quite difficult. The keyboard shortcut is visible in the tooltip, but is not announced in the screen reader. I also note that this method would not be helpful if I was attempting to navigate to, for example, the paragraph that starts with “Blocks can be anything you need.” 28. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5058d52425c1e7f41d9e5303d1d8adfaf3a25aa78c62c6e4ebe0ecce5329090b? s=32&d=identicon&r=g) * [designsimply](https://profiles.wordpress.org/designsimply/) 4:06 pm _on_ November 3, 2018 * Great feedback. Thank you for testing this! I wonder if there’s a small win we can make here around making the 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. navigation and menu more prominent for screen readers at the outset. 🤔 29. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4fd344e387cd0febbb417ee2a2bef7db6b40c8f7ecf4265fb41dcef8e9fa8c4b? s=32&d=identicon&r=g) 30. [Joe Dolson](https://profiles.wordpress.org/joedolson/) 4:12 pm _on_ November 1, 2018 31. 1) The toolbar shows, and shift+tab moves you backwards into the toolbar. I had an automatic instinct, however, to try and tab forward into the toolbar after making it appear, despite its physical location before my current content. 32. 2) This worked, but I found it very confusing. There are two key problems in my experience: 1) focus in the media & text 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. starts in the text block, despite this block _never_ being the first block in the group. Discovering that I had to navigate backwards to find the image block was confusing. 2) I found it difficult to figure out what had to be focused in order for the alt text setting to show up. I was expecting to select the image, but it seemed like I was _actually_ selecting the parent block itself. Also noted: the resize handle for adjusting the proportions of the image in the block was not available from the keyboard. 33. 3) Not sure what this was supposed to demonstrate. Pressing the spacebar moved focus back to the ‘Block’ settings tab, but the previously selected block was no longer selected, so this tab was no longer useful. 34. 4) Tested using NVDA/Chrome; worked as expected. 35. 5) Adding & removing a link was announced as expected; I could not find a way to edit the link target using the keyboard to test this. The link editing toolbar did not seem to be available from the keyboard. 36. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/51e312b0debfafa29a689be3505b6eefffa728d64bfe4f4fdb66ce1c1eba2978? s=32&d=identicon&r=g) 37. Anonymous User 2:43 pm _on_ November 6, 2018 38. I have a problem with this release described here: [https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/11546](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/11546) ### Leave a Reply 󠀁[Cancel reply](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/10/31/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release/?output_format=md#respond)󠁿 You must be [logged in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Ftest%2F2018%2F10%2F31%2Fcall-for-testing-gutenberg-4-2-pre-release%2F&locale=en_US) to post a comment. # Post navigation [← Call for Testing: Gutenberg 4.1 Pre-release](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/10/19/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-1-pre-release/) [Call for Testing: Gutenberg 4.3 Pre-release →](https://make.wordpress.org/test/2018/11/10/call-for-testing-gutenberg-4-3-pre-release/)