Converting to Blocks

Hi, thanks for getting in touch.

We’ll continue to offer a classic form of Page Builder for the foreseeable future.

You can migrate a page by downloading the JSON layout from Layouts > Import/Export > Download Layout. Once the page has been opened in the Block Editor, insert a SiteOrigin Layout Block and import the layout via the same path, Layouts > Import/Export > Import Layout.

Sorry, I don’t understand. Some templates are not going to support classics, as I have understood and we need to update ours to the update for the theme. Can I not use page builder with the block editor? What do you mean “migrate a page by downloading the JSON layout” Should I disable the ‘convert to blocks’ plugin. This page:

https://backyardpollinator.ca/about-contact/

Looks like the attached on the back end

https://backyardpollinator.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BlocksConversion.jpg

Using the Classic Editor plugin, it’s possible to manage pages in both editors. I’d have to look at the theme in use to comment further on updates required for the theme.

You can migrate a classic Page Builder layout to a Page Builder Layout Block by opening the page in the Classic Editor and clicking on Layouts > Import/Export > Download Layout within Page Builder. You can then open the page in the Block Editor, insert a SiteOrigin Layout Block and import the JSON layout file via the same path.

The theme is this one. https://catchthemes.com/themes/lucida-pro/

They have updated it to include a feature we need for media header so that will need to be installed. It is blocks capable. (Their newer themes however will not be compatible with classic editor)

I had to deactivate ‘convert to blocks’ to do what you have suggested because there is no access to the classics editor or layout with this activated.   Just FYI.

The Layouts/Import/Export shows nothing, just a ‘drop import file here or select import file’.  If I just click the ‘download layout’ button with nothing selected it only gives me a home.json file

Pages do show under clone: pages.

Please stay with me here….as I’m so not clear on this yet.

Thanks for the update.

Was the Page Builder layout intact when you exported the home page? If so, home.json file is the exported layout of the home page. The JSON file can be imported into a SiteOrigin Layout Block in the Block Editor via the same route.

OK. I’m starting to comprehend things. BUT, next question is how do I get to a ‘block editor’ with classic editor installed? I don’t see any option for that. Yes, the layout was intact when I did the ‘download layout’ as I had deactivated the ‘convert to blocks’ plugin. I assume I won’t be needing that.

Thanks for the update. If you have the Classic Editor plugin installed, head over to Settings > Writing and enable Allow users to switch editors. Go to Pages, hover over the page name, and open it in the Block Editor, clear the contents of the page, click + insert a SiteOrigin Layout, edit the Layout Block > Downloads > Import/Export > Import Layout. Import home.json.

OK. Getting there, thank you. In settings I now have Allow users to switch editors enabled. But on the pages list I don’t see the option, when hovering over the page title. In italics on each page line is ‘classic editor’, but no option there to change anything, or on any component of the line.

Under settings however there is a default editor for all uses which shows either classics or blocks.

Glad to hear you’re making progress. If the option to switch editors is enabled, you should see the following on the Pages page when hovering over a page name.

https://siteorigin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/choose-editor.png

There is also a meta box available in the right column when editing a page.

See: https://www.fireflywebs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PageListConvert.jpg

This obviously doesn’t always work. (I’ve switched this trial to my own site now).

Also, although I see the meta option on the right side of the page, it’s not doing the convert. Clicking on the link doesn’t do anything, and ‘switch to block editor’ remains.

The only page this DOES seem to work on is the one page on my site that doesn’t have page builder activated. This page is just in the typical classic editor for the full page.

Do I need to import the json first?

This must be template related. I went back to settings in the classic editor and clicked Block editor as ‘default for all users’, but it stayed in classic for both the page list and the pages itself, and the meta box still doesn’t do anything. Will attempt on another site with a newer theme.

Thanks for the update. Apologies; Page Builder will maintain the format it’s in, this case, the Classic Editor. The Classic Editor plugin will need to be temporarily deactivated to open the target page in the Block Editor.

Once you’ve exported the JSON file, try the following:
– Temporarily deactivate the Classic Editor plugin.
– Open the page in question, click Revert to Editor, and clear the page contents completely. Click Save. The page will revert to the Block Editor.
– Insert a SiteOrigin Layout Block and import the JSON file.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Andrew Misplon.

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I’ll be online again a couple of hours to assist with any follow-up queries. Cheers.