Editing Block Properties
When you’re editing WordPress block-mode content, TypeMetal provides specialized, block-mode counterparts to its standard HTML editing tools. To inspect and edit the properties of a WordPress block, you’ll use TypeMetal’s block properties editor in place of the attribute editor for general HTML elements.
The block properties editor mirrors the native WordPress block settings UI you’re used to, and focuses the set of possible edits to those WordPress allows for. The set of editable properties it presents varies according to the selected block’s type.
Some of the settings WordPress blocks offer don’t yet have counterparts in TypeMetal’s block property editor UI. Those settings can be safely edited in WordPress’ post editor, and TypeMetal will preserve the results.
Text Blocks
Most of WordPress’ “Text” block types offer configurable text alignment and foreground and background colors. Headings can also be configured for “wide” or “full”-width display similarly to images and other “Media” blocks.
The color controls function similarly to those in WordPress. You can click a color swatch to choose one of the provided standard colors, click the color well to the right to choose a custom color using macOS’ color picker, or click the (x) button to clear the existing color selection.
Most blocks also offer the chance to add custom CSS classes that can affect the styling of your content, depending on the set of classes defined by your site’s theme and any CSS extensions you’ve made to it. In WordPress’ block settings UI, the “Additional CSS class(es)” field appears in the “Advanced” disclosure group.
Images and Media Blocks
An “Image” block offers different alignment options, and a special set of controls for choosing the image to display, configuring the style and size at which it’s presented, and optionally providing a link to open when the image is clicked.
Click “Add file…” to choose a new image file to add to your Media Library.
Click “Choose other media item…” to choose a different image from your site’s existing WordPress Media Library. TypeMetal will show your site’s Media Library window. Your next click in that window will choose the image to switch to. To choose a different image, click the “Choose other media item…” button again.
Embedded Content Blocks
WordPress’ “Embed” blocks offer ways to embed videos, tweets, and other kinds of content from other websites into your posts and pages.
The editor for an “Embed” block offers a way to specify a different URL, by pasting or typing in the text field and clicking “Embed” or hitting [return]. It also offers alignment options that affect the sizing and positioning of the block.
You can create an “Embed” block by pasting the URL of an embeddable resource reference into your text, or by using any of TypeMetal’s general facilities for adding blocks. TypeMetal attempts to fetch embedding instructions from the content provider (YouTube, for example) and displays the referenced content in your post or page if successful.