How to Revert from Gutenberg to the Classic Editor

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This is Tutorial 6 in the Gutenberg 101 series.

When Gutenberg is released with WordPress 5.0 the old classic editor will go away. It will no longer be included in the WordPress core. If you don’t want to use the new Gutenberg editor then you will need to download and install the new Classic Editor plugin.

This plugin will allow you to use the editor you are used to and when you are ready to switch over to Gutenberg all you have to do is deactivate the plugin.

By default the Classic Editor plugin will remove all traces of Gutenberg. When then plugin is activated it will be like Gutenberg never existed. This will be a great option for those who don’t have the time or energy in learning the new editor, just don’t want to, or have plugin or theme conflicts.

The Classic Editor plugin also allows you to run the classic editor along side of the new Gutenberg editor. In the Classic Editor plugin settings, if the “Use the Gutenberg editor by default and include optional links back to the Classic editor.” is chosen will add an extra link on your posts and pages listings that will allow you to use the Classic editor and if you chose the edit link, the Gutenberg editor.

To install The Classic Editor do the following:

  1. Login to your WordPress administration dashboard with administrative privileges.
  2. Go to the “Add New Plugin” page (Located in the Menu Under Plugins).
  3. In the top right hand corner search bar type in Classic Editor.
  4. The Classic Editor plugin will be the first plugin in the results.
  5. Click on the Install Now button. This will download the plugin to your WordPress site.
  6. Click on the Activate button. This will turn the plugin on.
  7. Go to the “Writing” settings page (Located in the Menu under Settings)
  8. Choose the Classic editor settings you wish to use
    1. Replace the Gutenberg editor with the Classic editor, or
    2. Use the Gutenberg editor by default and include optional links back to the Classic editor.
  9. Save changes.

While you are here, you will want to read this . . .

Heather Bowen

Heather Bowen

Heather Bowen is the founder and owner of LifeofaHomeschoolMom.com. She and her husband, Scott,  live in North Carolina where they homeschool their two daughters. Heather is a former Labor & Delivery Nurse who gave up her stethoscope and scrubs for computers and coding and began blogging full-time in 2012. Heather's passion lies in ministering to homeschooling moms and helping them find resources and encouragement to find balance in their lives. She is the author of the Homeschool Mom Life Binder and co-creator of the Homeschool Mom Fitness Program. Heather is also the owner of HomeschoolBlogging.com where she helps bloggers and businesses to reach their audiences and achieve their goals.

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Rob 26 Oct 2018 Reply

    Thanks for the guide Heather,

    I just switched to gutenberg and it’s not that bad. for now I have my whole post inside 1 paragraph block, slowly, I will start to implement other block/styles into my posts.

    I am just scared that I’ll end up spending more time “beautifying” my posts than writing and that more work will be needed to clean up the post raw html filled up with gutenberg tags should I decide to move to other platforms in the future.

    Nice to read here that the classic editor plugin will remove traces of gutenberg should I want to revert.

    Rob

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