PressCoders Shows You How to Reuse the WordPress Post Editor: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The WordPress post editor—whether you’re using the modern Gutenberg block editor or the classic TinyMCE editor—is a powerful tool. Most users only scratch the surface, limiting it to writing blog posts or pages. But what if you could reuse this familiar, feature-rich editor for other types of content? Think portfolios, testimonials, events, product listings, or custom landing pages.

Reusing the post editor saves time (no need to learn new tools), ensures consistency (your team already knows how to use it), and leverages WordPress’s built-in features like revisions, media management, and SEO integration.

In this guide, PressCoders will walk you through why and how to reuse the WordPress post editor beyond standard posts and pages. We’ll cover practical methods, step-by-step tutorials, best practices, and troubleshooting tips to help you unlock the editor’s full potential.

Table of Contents

Understanding the WordPress Post Editor: Core Capabilities

Before diving into reuse, let’s recap why the post editor is so versatile:

  • Block-Based Editing (Gutenberg): The modern editor uses “blocks” (text, images, galleries, buttons, etc.) to build content. Blocks are modular, reusable, and customizable.
  • Classic Editor: For users who prefer a simpler interface, the Classic Editor (via the Classic Editor plugin) offers a WYSIWYG experience with formatting tools.
  • Built-in Features: Revisions (undo/redo history), media library integration, SEO metadata (via plugins like Yoast), and accessibility support.
  • Extensibility: Plugins and themes can add custom blocks, templates, or editor tools to tailor the experience.

Why Reuse the Post Editor? Key Benefits

Reusing the post editor for non-standard content (e.g., portfolios, events) offers compelling advantages:

  • Familiarity: Your team already knows how to use the editor, reducing training time.
  • Consistency: Maintain a uniform editing experience across all content types.
  • Cost-Effective: Avoid investing in specialized editors or page builders.
  • Leverage WordPress Ecosystem: Use existing plugins (e.g., Yoast SEO, Akismet) with your custom content.
  • Future-Proof: WordPress actively updates the editor, ensuring your workflow stays modern.

Methods to Reuse the Post Editor: PressCoders-Approved Techniques

PressCoders has tested and refined several methods to reuse the post editor. Below are the most effective approaches, suitable for beginners and developers alike.

1. Custom Post Types (CPTs): Extend the Editor to New Content Types

Custom Post Types (CPTs) are WordPress’s native way to create “custom content types” (e.g., portfolio, testimonial, event). By default, CPTs inherit the post editor, making them ideal for reusing its functionality.

How It Works:

  • CPTs act like “posts” but with their own labels, menus, and settings.
  • You can enable the post editor (Gutenberg or Classic) for CPTs during setup.
  • Example use cases: Portfolio items, case studies, staff profiles, or event listings.

Tools to Create CPTs:

2. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF): Pair Custom Data with the Editor

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) lets you add custom fields (e.g., “Testimonial Author Name,” “Event Date”) to your content. When combined with the post editor, you get the best of both worlds: rich text editing and structured data.

How It Works:

  • Create a CPT (e.g., testimonial).
  • Use ACF to add fields like “Author Position” or “Company Logo.”
  • The post editor handles the main testimonial text, while ACF fields manage supplementary data.

Example Workflow:

  1. Create a testimonial CPT.
  2. Use ACF to add a “Author Name” text field and “Author Photo” image field.
  3. In the editor, users write the testimonial text (via Gutenberg) and fill in ACF fields.

3. PressCoders Plugins: Simplify Editor Reuse with Specialized Tools

PressCoders offers plugins and tutorials to streamline editor reuse. For example:

  • PressCoders Editor Enhancer: A hypothetical plugin (inspired by PressCoders’ focus on user experience) that adds pre-built templates for CPTs (e.g., “Portfolio Template” with image gallery block, description block, and client logo ACF field).
  • PressCoders CPT Generator: A tool to quickly create CPTs with the post editor enabled, no code required.

Note: Check the PressCoders blog for the latest tools and tutorials.

4. Page Builders: Embed the Post Editor Within Visual Workflows

Page builders like Elementor or Beaver Builder are powerful, but they can overcomplicate simple tasks. For hybrid workflows, embed the post editor into page builder layouts using:

  • Gutenberg Block in Page Builders: Most page builders let you add a “Gutenberg Block” widget, inserting the post editor into your layout.
  • Shortcodes: Use the [the_content] shortcode to display post editor content within a page builder template.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Reusing the Editor for a “Testimonials” Custom Post Type

Let’s walk through creating a testimonial CPT and using the post editor to manage testimonial content. We’ll use the Custom Post Type UI plugin (for CPT creation) and Advanced Custom Fields (for extra data).

Step 1: Install Required Plugins

  1. Install and activate Custom Post Type UI (CPT UI).
  2. Install and activate Advanced Custom Fields (ACF).

Step 2: Create a “Testimonial” Custom Post Type

  1. Go to CPT UI → Add/Edit Post Types.
  2. Fill in the fields:
    • Post Type Slug: testimonial (lowercase, no spaces).
    • Plural Label: Testimonials
    • Singular Label: Testimonial
  3. Under Settings → Supports, check “Editor” (to enable the post editor) and “Title” (for testimonial titles).
  4. Click Add Post Type.

Step 3: Add Custom Fields with ACF

  1. Go to Custom Fields → Add New.
  2. Create a Field Group named “Testimonial Details.”
  3. Add fields:
    • Field 1: Type = “Text,” Label = “Author Name,” Name = author_name.
    • Field 2: Type = “Text,” Label = “Author Position,” Name = author_position.
    • Field 3: Type = “Image,” Label = “Author Photo,” Name = author_photo.
  4. Under Location, set: “Post Type” → “is equal to” → “Testimonial.”
  5. Click Publish.

Step 4: Edit a Testimonial with the Post Editor

  1. Go to Testimonials → Add New.
  2. Enter a title (e.g., “Client Testimonial: John Doe”).
  3. Use the post editor (Gutenberg) to write the testimonial text (add blocks like “Paragraph” or “Quote” for styling).
  4. Scroll down to the “Testimonial Details” ACF section and fill in the author’s name, position, and photo.
  5. Click Publish.

Step 5: Display Testimonials on Your Site

To show testimonials on a page, use a shortcode or custom template. For simplicity, we’ll use a shortcode with a plugin like Display Posts:

  1. Install and activate Display Posts.
  2. Create a new page (e.g., “Testimonials”).
  3. Add the shortcode: 
    [display-posts post_type="testimonial" include_excerpt="true" image_size="thumbnail"]
  4. Publish the page. Testimonials (with editor content and ACF data) will now display.

Best Practices for Reusing the Post Editor

To ensure a smooth workflow, follow these PressCoders-recommended best practices:

  • Use Reusable Blocks: Save common content (e.g., a “Testimonial Quote” block with custom styling) as Reusable Blocks for consistency.
  • Limit Block Clutter: Disable unused blocks (via plugins like Block Manager) to simplify the editor for non-technical users.
  • Version Control: Use the editor’s built-in revisions to track changes and revert to previous versions if needed.
  • Test on Staging: Always test CPTs, ACF fields, or custom blocks on a staging site before deploying to production.
  • Document Workflows: Create a guide for your team explaining how to use the editor with custom content types (e.g., “How to Add a Testimonial”).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, you may encounter hiccups. Here’s how to fix them:

IssueSolution
Post editor not showing for CPTsEnsure “Editor” is checked under “Supports” in CPT UI settings.
ACF fields not appearingVerify the “Location” rule in ACF matches your CPT (e.g., “Post Type = Testimonial”).
Blocks breaking in custom templatesUse the_content() in your theme template to render editor content (e.g., <?php the_content(); ?>).
Editor lagging with many blocksDisable unused blocks or use a lighter theme/plugin setup.

Conclusion

Reusing the WordPress post editor beyond posts and pages is a game-changer for efficiency and consistency. With tools like Custom Post Types, Advanced Custom Fields, and PressCoders’ resources, you can tailor the editor to almost any content type—from testimonials to portfolios.

By following the methods and best practices in this guide, you’ll unlock the full potential of WordPress’s most underrated tool.

References