Caption content reset on image change

Hi Oliver, you’ve just hit on one of the more controversial feature/bugs in the image widget.

This behavior is intentional. The thought behind it is that the most common usage will be that people upload an image, enter the details in the media manager along side the image, and then insert into the widget.

By this logic, we’d want the widget fields to be updated with the content from the uploader.

It gets a little weird though when you change the image because you then overwrite what was there even if you manually curated it.

* One idea is that we only populate those fields when we first insert an image.
* Another is that we only overwrite empty fields.
* Another is that we never overwrite any field.
* Lastly of course is we could leave it as is.

I think of the various experiences, having myself been frustrated by this UI experience, I would opt for either the first or the second options.

What do you think?

Hi Peter,

IMHO, in terms of UX, I would avoid overwritting (if possible) user data as it could lead to user frustration (if not explained or warned).

From the list you proposed I would choose third option. User will always know what it’s going to happen when he/she loads an image, fields are not going to change.

My thoughts…
I am not WP plugin developer so I don’t know if what I’am going to say is possible, anyway here we go ?? :

First option:

– Add a checkbox “Import image details” below “Change Image” button (or the image preview if it is not the first insert).
– If checkbox is ticked, just import image details into fields.
If not, leave fields as they are.

Althougth this first option does not cover all scenarios, could be enough.

Second option:

– Add a checkbox “Import image details” (below controls will enable on checkbox ticked).
– Add an option button “All image details” (all fields will be overwritten).
– Add an option button “Image details on empty fields only” (empty fields will be set with image details).
– Act depending on user selection.

Third option:

– Add a checkbox “Import image details” (below controls will enable on checkbox ticked).
– Add an option button “All image details” (all fields will be overwritten).
– Add an option button “Image details on empty fields only”.
– Add an option button “Don’t import blank image details into fields” (avoid resetting user fields with empty image details).
– Act depending on user selection.

I hope I didn’t messed the whole thing…As I mentioned before I’am not WP plugin developer so please don’t take this too seriously.

Best regards

Hey Oliver, we’re getting close to releasing a significant upgrade to the image widget. One of the things we did while we’re at it is to update the javascript to only update fields if they were empty. I’ve tested it and have found the experience to be quite smooth. If you’re interested in testing it etc, check out the updated topic:

https://www.ads-software.com/support/topic/new-wordpress-35