Fine-Tune Your WordPress Editing Experience: Understanding how to Disable the Block Editor Using a Filter Hook

WordPress has undergone significant evolution in its content editing experience, with the introduction of the Block Editor (also known as Gutenberg). While the Block Editor offers a modern and visual way to build content, there might be instances where you prefer the traditional Classic Editor for specific situations or even across your entire website.

The use_block_editor_for_post filter hook provides you with the power to control exactly when and where the Block Editor is enabled. This allows for a highly customized editing experience tailored to your specific needs. In this guide, we’ll delve into what this hook is, why you might want to use it, and how to implement it with practical examples.

A Look at the WordPress Editor Landscape

WordPress initially relied on the Classic Editor, a single text area with formatting buttons. The introduction of the Block Editor brought a paradigm shift, allowing users to create content using modular blocks for various elements like text, images, headings, and more.

While the Block Editor offers enhanced flexibility and visual design capabilities, some users might prefer the simplicity of the Classic Editor due to familiarity, compatibility with certain plugins, or specific workflow requirements.

Introducing the use_block_editor_for_post Filter Hook

The use_block_editor_for_post filter hook in WordPress allows you to programmatically determine whether the Block Editor should be used for a specific post. This hook is triggered before WordPress decides which editor to load. By using this filter, you can override the default behavior based on various conditions.

Why Would You Want to Disable the Block Editor?

There are several valid reasons why you might want to disable the Block Editor, either globally or for specific scenarios:

• Preference for the Classic Editor: Some users simply prefer the workflow and interface of the Classic Editor.
• Plugin and Theme Compatibility: Certain older or less frequently updated plugins and themes might not be fully compatible with the Block Editor, leading to layout issues or functionality problems.
• Specific Post Types: You might have custom post types that were built with the Classic Editor in mind, and switching to the Block Editor could require significant rework.
• Template-Specific Needs: Certain page templates might rely on specific meta boxes or functionalities that are not easily replicated in the Block Editor.
• Maintaining a Consistent Editing Experience: If your team is more comfortable with the Classic Editor, you might want to maintain that consistency across the board.

How to Use the use_block_editor_for_post Filter Hook

The use_block_editor_for_post filter hook accepts two arguments:

• $use_block_editor: A boolean value indicating whether the Block Editor should be used (initially true).
• $post: The post object for the current post being edited.

Your filter function should return either true (to use the Block Editor) or false (to use the Classic Editor).

Here are the code snippets you provided, demonstrating different ways to use this hook:

1. How to Disable the Block Editor for All Post Types

add_filter( 'use_block_editor_for_post', '__return_false', 10, 2 );

Explanation:

• add_filter( 'use_block_editor_for_post', ... );: This line registers a filter for the use_block_editor_for_post hook.
• '__return_false': This is a built-in WordPress function that simply returns the boolean value false. By using this as the callback function, we are instructing WordPress to always return false for this filter, effectively disabling the Block Editor for all post types (posts, pages, and custom post types).
• 10: This is the priority of the filter. Lower numbers indicate earlier execution. 10 is the default priority.
• 2: This indicates the number of arguments the filter accepts (in this case, $use_block_editor and $post).

How to Implement:

You can add this code to your theme’s functions.php file or, preferably, use a code snippet plugin.

2. Disable the Block Editor for Specific Posts, Post Types, Templates, etc.

add_filter(
    'use_block_editor_for_post',
    function ( $use_block_editor, $post ) {
        // Disable for specific post ID
        if ( $post->ID === 123 ) {
            return false;
        }

        // Disable for post type
        if ( $post->post_type == 'event' ) {
            return false;
        }

        // Disable for page template
        if ( basename( get_page_template( $post->ID ) ) == 'template-events.php' ) {
            return false;
        }

        // Return default value
        return $use_block_editor;
    },
    10,
    2
);

Explanation:

This code snippet provides a more granular approach to disabling the Block Editor based on specific conditions within the callback function:

• function ( $use_block_editor, $post ) { ... }: This defines an anonymous function that will be executed when the filter is applied. It receives the current $use_block_editor value and the $post object as arguments.
• if ( $post->ID === 123 ) { return false; }: This condition checks if the current post’s ID is equal to 123. If it is, the function returns false, disabling the Block Editor for that specific post. Remember to replace 123 with the actual ID of the post you want to target.
• if ( $post->post_type == 'event' ) { return false; }: This condition checks if the current post’s type is 'event'. If it is, the Block Editor will be disabled for all posts of the ‘event’ custom post type. Replace 'event' with the actual post type slug if needed.
• if ( basename( get_page_template( $post->ID ) ) == 'template-events.php' ) { return false; }: This condition checks if the current post is a page and if its page template file name (without the full path) is 'template-events.php'. If both are true, the Block Editor will be disabled for pages using this specific template. Replace 'template-events.php' with the actual template file name.
• return $use_block_editor;: If none of the above conditions are met, the function returns the original $use_block_editor value (which is usually true), meaning the Block Editor will be enabled by default.

How to Implement:

Similar to the previous example, you can add this code to your theme’s functions.php file or use a code snippet plugin. Make sure to customize the conditions within the function to match your specific requirements.

Important Considerations

• Impact on Content: Disabling the Block Editor does not affect the content you’ve already created with it. It only changes the editor used to modify that content. If you switch back to the Block Editor later, your content will still be there.
• User Experience: Consider the impact on other users of your website. If they are accustomed to the Block Editor, globally disabling it might disrupt their workflow.
• Plugin Compatibility: Ensure that any plugins you rely on are compatible with the editor you choose to use.
• Theme Functionality: Some themes might have specific functionalities or layout options that are designed to work with the Block Editor. Disabling it might affect these features.

Alternatives: The Classic Editor Plugin

It’s worth noting that WordPress provides an official “Classic Editor” plugin. Installing and activating this plugin will revert your WordPress installation to the previous Classic Editor experience and also provides options to allow users to switch between editors. This is often the simplest solution for those who prefer the Classic Editor across their entire site.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Editor for Your Content Creation

The use_block_editor_for_post filter hook offers a powerful way to customize your WordPress editing experience. Whether you want to disable the Block Editor globally, for specific post types, individual posts, or even based on page templates, this hook provides the flexibility you need. By carefully considering your requirements and using the provided code examples, you can tailor your content creation environment to best suit your workflow and website needs.

Key Takeaways:

• The use_block_editor_for_post filter hook controls whether the Block Editor is used for a specific post.
• You can disable the Block Editor globally using __return_false.
• You can disable it conditionally based on post ID, post type, or page template.
• Consider the impact on user experience and plugin/theme compatibility.
• The official Classic Editor plugin is a simpler alternative for globally disabling the Block Editor.

Call to Action:

How do you prefer to edit your WordPress content? Have you ever needed to disable the Block Editor for specific reasons? Share your experiences and any questions you have in the comments below!