P2 uses the WordPress editor (also known as Gutenberg) as the main tool to write content.
This editor uses blocks that allow you to create media-rich pages, posts and comments, and to control their layout with ease. You can use paragraphs, lists, headings of different sizes… or embed images, galleries, videos, forms, etc. This provides huge expressivity options to your posts (as opposed to what is possible with email or real-time chat) to make them more interesting, engaging, organized, and easier to read and understand.
Elements
The editor is made up of two main areas: the top menu, and main content area.
- The top menu contains all the different tools such as the block inserter, the settings panel or the list view. You can read more about these tools in this WordPress.com support doc.
- The main content area is the main section of the editor, where you add and customize the different blocks.
Adding blocks
There are several ways to add a block, but the main ones are:
- Clicking on the
+icon on the top menu. - Clicking on the
+icon at the side of an empty block.
This will open the block picker, a panel listing all the blocks available organized in different categories. Once you’re familiarized with the different blocks’ names, you can also add a block by typing / and the name of the block.
Remember that paragraph blocks don’t need to be added manually: you can just type in an empty block or press Enter to create a new one.
Customizing blocks
Many blocks have their own settings. These can be found in two places:
- Click on a block to select it, and a toolbar will appear either right on top of it or under the top menu. The most common settings are usually placed here: alignment, fundamental options, etc. Click on the three dots icon on the right of the toolbar to reveal even more options.
- The secondary settings are usually located on the Settings panel. It can be opened by clicking on the cog icon located at the right side of the top menu while a block is selected. This panel will show different options depending on the block, from general ones like font size or background color, to very specific settings to make the block look and work as desired.
Moving and deleting blocks
Blocks can be moved by dragging the six dots icon shown in the toolbar that appears when they’re selected, or clicking on the arrows next to it.
To delete a block, select it and press the Delete key. Alternatively, you can click on the three dots icon found in the toolbar and choose the option Remove block.
📚 Learn more about the editor on the WordPress.com support documents.
