Basic Text Editing

Most website updates involve editing text. Whether you’re correcting a typo, updating information, or creating new content, the Block Editor provides simple tools for adding, formatting, and organizing text.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to edit text, apply basic formatting, add links, and manage content blocks.

Editing Text

Editing text in the Block Editor works much like editing content in a word processor.

Adding Text

To add text to a page:

1. Open an existing page or create a new one.
2. Click in an empty area of the page.
3. Start typing to create a Paragraph block automatically.

You can also click the + button and manually select a block type.

Editing Existing Text

To edit content:

1. Click within a text block.
2. Make your changes directly in the editor.
3. Changes are automatically saved to the page draft as you work.

Selecting Text

Click and drag your cursor over text to select it.

Once selected, formatting options such as bold, italic, and links become available in the block toolbar.

Formatting Text

Formatting helps make content easier to read and understand.

Bold and Italic Text

After selecting text, you can apply formatting such as:

• Bold to emphasize important information
• Italic to add subtle emphasis

Use formatting sparingly to maintain a clean and consistent appearance.

Creating Lists

Lists help organize information and improve readability.

Use:

• Bulleted lists for related items
• Numbered lists for steps or instructions

For example:

• Log in to your site
• Navigate to Pages
• Edit your content

Using Headings

Headings help organize page content into sections.

A well-structured page:

• Is easier to scan
• Improves accessibility
• Helps visitors find information quickly

Heading levels should be used in order whenever possible. Avoid using headings simply because you want larger text.

Adding Links

Links connect your content to additional information and resources.

Internal Links

Internal links direct visitors to another page within your website.

Examples include:

• Contact pages
• Service pages
• Related content

When creating a link, begin typing the page title and WordPress may suggest matching pages from your site.

External Links

External links direct visitors to another website.

Examples include:

• Carleton University services
• Government websites
• External resources

Always verify that external links are current and accurate.

Opening a Link in a New Tab

For external websites, you may choose to open links in a new browser tab. For internal pages on your own site, links should generally open in the same tab unless there is a specific reason not to.

Managing Blocks

Every piece of content in the Block Editor exists as an individual block. Learning to manage blocks will help you build and rearrange page content more efficiently.

Moving Blocks

Blocks can be moved up or down the page using the movement controls in the block toolbar. This makes it easy to reorganize content without copying and pasting.

Duplicating Blocks

If you need similar content more than once, duplicate an existing block and modify the copy. Duplicating blocks can save time and help maintain consistency.

Deleting Blocks

To remove a block:

1. Select the block.
2. Open the block options menu.
3. Choose Delete.

Only the selected block will be removed.

Transforming Blocks

Many blocks can be converted into another block type.

For example:

• Paragraph → Heading
• Paragraph → List

This allows you to change the presentation of content without re-entering text.

Content Best Practices

Good content is clear, consistent, and easy to read.

When editing website content:

Use Headings to Organize Content

• Break long pages into logical sections using headings.
• Visitors often scan pages before reading them in detail.

Use Descriptive Link Text

Link text should describe the destination.

Good:

• View our Accessibility Guidelines
• Read the Event Submission Process

Avoid:

• Click here
• Read more

Avoid Excessive Formatting

• Too much bold text, colour, or emphasis can make content difficult to read.
• Keep formatting simple and use it only when it adds meaning.

Try it Out!

Now that you’ve learned the basics of text editing, practice making some changes.

1. Create a new page.
2. Add a Heading block and enter a title.
3. Add two Paragraph blocks containing sample text.
4. Format some text as bold and italic.
5. Create a bulleted list.
6. Add a hyperlink to a piece of text.
7. Move one block to a different position on the page.
8. Transform a Paragraph block into a Heading block.