The evolution of the block editor is packed full of features and UI improvements. Start building!
Create With Confidence — and Better Blocks — The WordPress.com Blog
Lots of improvements and changes, but here’s one of my favorites:
What’s more, instead of listing blocks within a fixed-height container, the block inserter now spans the height of the window. You’ll now see more blocks and block categories at once with less scrolling.
Less scroll finger = quicker editing! While this is really useful when editing online on my PC’s 25″ screen, I have yet to experience the Block Editor in the WP app for Android on my phone.
My second, most favorite thing about this update is the addition of “block patterns” for posts, which I surmised was coming in my last post on the Premium theme extinction event.*
At last! A way to see the power of blocks in action for posts! Huzzah!
If you don’t see block patterns in your post editor sidebar, click on the mosaic button at the top right sandwiched between the Settings and Jetpack buttons (highlighted in the screenshot at left).
Personally speaking, the editor space feels like it’s getting a bit cluttered and while it’s for a good reason, once I’ve gotten more accustomed to working with blocks in posts, I’ll appreciate a full screen editing layout. And an editing interface that doesn’t change too frequently. I can hope, can’t I?
Want to learn more about Blocks?
WordPress is holding WPBlockTalk an online event on April 2nd.
Join us on April 2nd, 2020, learn to make the most of the block editor, and get inspired to build more engaging layouts — or your own custom blocks!
Can’t make it? WPBlockTalk will be recorded and made available on WP.tv. Since half of the talks happen in the middle of the night here, I’ll certainly be taking advantage of that.
*Update on WordPress.com’s Premium Theme Extinction
In my previous post, I pointed out that WordPress.com had removed the vast majority of Premium themes due to incompatibility with the Block Editor. (Can we finally stop saying the “New” Block Editor?) Between that post and this one, Premium themes have slowly been appearing, or reappearing, in the Theme Showcase and, as of today, the count is up to 33 Premium themes. That’s still a far cry from the 183 themes that were once available. As a staff member said to a user in the community forums, “Watch this space!”
As always, the information in this post is correct as of publication date. Changes are inevitable.
On a personal note
I wish you and yours continued good health as this pandemic spreads and the number of people ill with Covid-19 rises. Being of a “certain age,” my husband and I started self-isolation nearly 3 weeks ago to a lesser degree, which then increased with every new restriction announced by our government. Fortunately my husband, who is now semi-retired, continues to work from home and I am using my time to concentrate on improving my skills and avocations (and each has its own WordPress.com website, of course). Take care and stay safe.
Featured Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels.com
WPcomMaven 
Thanks for the heads up about the WPBlockTalk event.
‘Block editor’ to replace ‘Gutenberg’ – I hope so.
Be well.