classic block bug – “This block contains unexpected or invalid content”

The inability to text wrap image blocks is in part a theme issue. The issue then would be that all image blocks will text wrap, which may not be desirable. A theme could offer custom CSS you can specify. Not a very user friendly way to do it, I know. Ideally there would be a tool icon button to do so.

You’re still stuck with inserting images only at paragraph boundaries, but I’ve not found that to be a serious impediment. But I develop a lot more than create content. You can create your own CSS to text wrap, essentially the max-width should be a percentage like 50% and apply the float: left; (or right) rule. Add the CSS to the Additional CSS panel of the customizer and specify the chosen selector class in the image’s Advanced property on the editor screen.

You’ll need to use preview to see the wrap effect, it will not wrap in the editor unless you create a child theme and utilize a custom editor stylesheet.

Still not ideal obviously, but it gets you away from needing to use a classic block and presumably gets you away from the invalid content errors. Then the answer to your second question is moot. The error recovery scheme clearly needs work. In the interim the best solution is to not fall into error recovery ??

I’m sorry you had trouble finding where to post. What would you suggest as an improvement, considering that we must first get visitors to the correct forum before they post? Additionally, we hope users will search for existing solutions before posting their own topic. You can imagine making it too easy to post new topics subverts these other goals. Once anyone lands on any individual forum page, there is a “+ Create Topic” button right at the top opposite the page navigation. And of course the new topic form is at the bottom of every forum page. I get that the bottom is not an ideal location, but the full form at the top would subvert the other goals.

Thanks for your reply @bcworkz

Now I’m looking at the possibility of using the Short Code Ultimate plug-in as a work around. Based on what I made in the Classic Editor, I’ve created a sort of HTML template that I can paste into the short code and then fill with the relevant text, images and links. It’s fiddly, but at least I can see and understand what I’m doing.

CSS I’m afraid is a foreign language to me. The effort and above all the time I’d need to learn how to to do this small thing from the bottom of the pit of my ignorance doesn’t seem to me to be justified. Coding is not what I have a WP blog for and I really DON’T think Code is Poetry!

Maybe I’ll give up on Gutenberg and go back to the Classic Editor for now. I’ve just wasted the better part of a weekend on something I thought would take a couple of hours. All a bit depressing really.

As far as finding the Create Topic form goes, I appreciate your (WP.org’s) dilemma. That you want to get people to create topics in the right forum and also to discourage too many new topics. I don’t ask that many questions nowadays (perhaps that’ll change if I’m going to get a grip on Gutenberg) so I’d forgotten how to start a topic.

My situation was that I’d been searching around and around for what felt like hours looking for help on my issue when I realised I’d have to start a topic. At that point I just couldn’t find where to start. NOW I can see that “+ Create Topic” button, but THEN I was blind to it. ??

Admittedly Googling “how to start a topic” was a bit desperate.

Perhaps if there were a duplicate of the “+ Create Topic” button in the side column between “Log out” and “Recent posts” or between “Subscribe” and “Views”?

Thanks again for your response.

My question isn’t really resolved, so I’ll leave this open for another 48 hours just in case anyone else has something to add.

John

A number of site owners I know who are comfortable creating HTML content have rejected the block editor and have installed and use the classic editor. I personally don’t like the block editor either, but I’m still trying to give it a chance. It’s not for everyone and is in need of refinement for those who like it.

FWIW, shortcodes are not part of the block editor concept, though they are supported. The ultimate goal is to have custom blocks replace shortcode functionality. But I’m sure shortcodes will be supported for a good long while.

Thanks for your feedback on the forum UI. I agree that the add topic button tends to blend in with the other page content and could stand out better. A sidebar link is also a good suggestion. I’ll pass your suggestions along to the proper WP team for consideration. I can’t promise anything will come of it, but it will at least be considered.

I do see potential in the Gutenberg blocks, and how they might replace (some) shortcodes eventually. But as a non-coder, I’m disappointed it’s still so difficult to work with. I put off looking at it for six months or so after the launch hoping most of the teething problems would be solved by now. Maybe I should try it again next year.

Another thought on the forum interface. How about putting the “+ Create Topic” button in a nice bright contrasting colour. Fluorescent orange or acid green perhaps. Just so it stands out!
??

Yes, good suggestion for the button standing out better. Though your specific color suggestions, not so much ??

??

I’ll mark this thread resolved now.

Cheerio!