WordPress 6.3 is released!
This release marks the second major update for the year and promises an array of substantial enhancements and fresh attributes.
In this blog post, we will look into what features are coming in WordPress 6.3 with details and screenshots.
The upcoming version 6.3, is set to enhance the site editor by introducing numerous new features and improvements aimed at enhancing the overall user experience.
In WordPress 6.2, a fresh navigator was introduced to the site editor, empowering users to conveniently pick the desired template or template part for editing purposes.
With the WordPress 6.3 release, enhancements to this navigator will be introduced. This will enable users to not only select template or template parts, but also pages, styles, patterns, and navigation menus.
When you click the search icon, it opens the command tool. With this tool, you can search for the part of your site that you want to edit.
You can also quickly open your site in a new tab by clicking the ‘View Site’ button. This button only shows up when you move your mouse over the site title and the search area.
WordPress 6.3 brings new and user-friendly method to handle patterns. You’ll have the ability to see all of your patterns right within the site editor.
When you click on ‘Patterns,’ you’ll see different sections that group together the patterns available on your site.
These sections will include various patterns, whether they’re synchronized or not, all ready for you to use.
Patterns that are unsynced are independent and can be added whenever you want. If you modify them, the original pattern won’t be altered.
On the other hand, synced patterns can be applied throughout your WordPress site. If you make changes to them, the original pattern will be affected. These work similar to reusable blocks and are now referred to as ‘Synced Patterns’.
Whenever you like, you can simply click the ‘+’ button in the Patterns menu to craft a new pattern.
Additionally, you have the ability to oversee your own custom patterns by clicking on ‘Manage all of my patterns’ located in the sidebar.
This action permits you to modify and handle the patterns you’ve created yourself, as well as the blocks you can reuse.
Now, the site editor has made it effortless for you to pick ‘Pages’ right from the navigation menu within the editor.
When you click on this option, you’ll also see a list of the pages you’ve edited recently. This makes it convenient to easily continue working on a page you’ve been making changes to.
Furthermore, you can click the ‘+’ button in the navigation menu to swiftly generate a new page and start editing it right away in the site editor.
When you’re installing traditional themes, you can currently get a preview of them without actually making them active on your site. This way, you can see how a WordPress theme looks without affecting your live site.
In WordPress 6.3, there will be an added feature that enables users to preview block themes directly within the editor. This will be useful for trying out a theme before deciding to activate it on your website.
WordPress offers a really simple way to revert changes made to your posts and pages by utilizing a function known as Revisions.
And now, this very same functionality will also be accessible for site editor styles. This means you can observe the alterations you’ve made to your theme styles and backtrack if required.
All you need to do is pick a style or block you want to modify in the Styles panel. Click the ‘Revisions’ button and then opt for ‘Revision history’. This will allow you to view and potentially undo your previous style changes.
By doing this, you’ll be able to see a complete record of all the modifications made to the style of the item you’ve chosen.
From there, you can easily toggle between various versions and utilize the ‘Apply’ button to reverse a change and return to a previous state.
In WordPress 6.3, there’s another exciting addition: the new command tool. This tool will empower users to swiftly execute actions using just their keyboard.
All you have to do is press CTRL + K or Command + K on your keyboard. This will instantly open up the command tool, allowing you to begin typing your search.
From there, it will display relevant matches like templates, template parts, patterns, blocks, posts, and pages, among other things. When you choose an item from the results, it will be immediately opened up for editing in the site editor.
WordPress 6.3 will also bring several new features and improvements to the block editor.
WordPress 6.3 will ship with two new blocks called Footnote and Details.
Footnote Block
Previously, adding footnotes to a post using the block editor wasn’t straightforward. Users had to create footnotes themselves or rely on third-party plugins.
However, in WordPress 6.3, this process is much simpler. Users can just click on the three-dot menu in the toolbar and select the ‘Footnote’ option to add footnotes effortlessly.
Introducing the Details Block
Have you ever wished for a method that allows users to click on certain text to uncover more information? Well, the Details block is designed precisely for this purpose.
All you have to do is insert the Details block and input the text that you want users to initially see.
Below that, you can add the content you want to hide inside the hidden block.
This content could be text, images, media, and more.
The Details block could be a handy replacement for accordions, which are commonly used to add FAQs or information in a compact style.
Enhanced Padding and Margin Controls in WordPress 6.3
In the past, if you separated padding and margin controls, they occupied a significant amount of space in the right column.
However, with the WordPress 6.3 update, these controls for padding and margin will be more condensed and user-friendly, making them easier to manage.
Empowering Image Aspect Ratio Selection in WordPress 6.3
With the forthcoming WordPress 6.3 release, users will gain the ability to pick the desired aspect ratio for an image. This functionality makes it effortless to choose the image dimensions while preserving the aspect ratio.
This enhancement guarantees that images will maintain their visual appeal across various sizes.
The Cover block will get improvements in WordPress 6.3.
Users can now choose its layout options, similar to the Group block.
New Features for the Cover Block
In WordPress 6.3, the Cover block will introduce support for duotone filters, enabling creative visual effects.
Furthermore, users can anticipate an expanded range of design choices for the text within the Cover block, enhancing the overall aesthetic possibilities.
Refinements to Link Control in WordPress 6.3
The block editor utilizes link control as a tool for adding links. In the upcoming WordPress 6.3 update, several adjustments will be implemented to enhance its functionality even more.
Simpler Page Creation and Link Control in WordPress 6.3
In WordPress 6.3, users will have the convenience of creating a new page directly by using the ‘Create Page’ button found within the link control tool.
Moreover, the option to open a link in a new tab won’t be immediately accessible during link addition. However, if you wish to enable this, you can edit the link and locate the option tucked away within the ‘Advanced’ setting.
In conclusion, the WordPress 6.3 update marks another significant stride in the platform’s evolution, offering users a refined and enhanced experience. With a focus on improved performance, streamlined user interface, and advanced security features, WordPress 6.3 empowers website creators to deliver even more engaging and secure online experiences for their audiences. By embracing these updates, users can tap into a wealth of new possibilities while enjoying a smoother and more efficient content management process. As we embrace this latest iteration, it’s clear that WordPress remains committed to its mission of providing a dynamic and user-friendly platform that continues to shape the future of web development.