Fixing Focus and Scroll Issues with the Classic Paragraph Block in Advanced Editor Tools

Many users of the Advanced Editor Tools (previously TinyMCE Advanced) plugin have reported a recurring and frustrating issue: the editor's focus seems to have a mind of its own, often jumping to the last Classic Paragraph block on the page. This problem makes editing longer posts particularly difficult and is a common topic of discussion in support forums.

What is the Classic Paragraph Block Focus Issue?

This bug manifests in several ways, all centered on the block editor's inability to maintain focus where a user intends:

• Focus Jumping: When a post is opened in the editor, the cursor automatically focuses on the last Classic Paragraph block. Clicking on any other block often causes the focus to immediately jump back to the last block.
• Page Scrolling: When working on a long post, clicking into a Classic Paragraph block near the bottom of the page can cause the editor to abruptly scroll back to the top, forcing you to scroll down and try again.
• Selection Problems: Users report that it can be nearly impossible to select any Classic Paragraph block other than the last one without using the List View.

Based on user reports, this behavior appears to be most prevalent in the Chrome browser and seems to have been introduced or worsened following certain WordPress core updates.

Why Does This Happen?

While the Advanced Editor Tools team has acknowledged the issue, a definitive root cause from the plugin's perspective is not explicitly stated in user threads. However, the problem is likely a compatibility issue. The Classic Paragraph block is a custom block introduced by the plugin that aims to replace the standard Paragraph block with a more familiar TinyMCE editing experience. Conflicts can arise between this custom block's JavaScript, the WordPress block editor's core scripts (particularly those handling focus and selection), and other plugins or themes. User reports suggest that specific themes or CSS may exacerbate the problem.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix the Focus Issue

Since a permanent fix from the plugin developers may be pending, here are the most effective troubleshooting steps you can take based on community findings.

1. The Standard Debugging Process

Always start with these steps to rule out common conflicts.

1. Switch to a Default Theme: Temporarily activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four. If the focus issue disappears, the problem is likely with your regular theme.
2. Deactivate Other Plugins: Disable all plugins except for Advanced Editor Tools. If the problem is resolved, reactivate your other plugins one by one to identify which one is causing the conflict.
3. Clear Browser and Site Cache: Clear your browser's cache and any caching mechanisms on your WordPress site (e.g., object caching, page caching).
4. Test in Another Browser: As the issue is often reported in Chrome, test if the problem occurs in Firefox or Safari.

2. Use the List View for Navigation

A common workaround mentioned by users is to avoid clicking directly on blocks. Instead, use the Block Editor's List View (the icon in the top toolbar that looks like a list) to select and navigate between your Classic Paragraph blocks. This method reliably selects the correct block without triggering the focus jump.

3. Consider Using the Classic Block

Some user reports indicate that the standard Classic Block does not suffer from the same focus issues as the Classic Paragraph block. If you do not specifically need the block to start as a paragraph, converting your problematic blocks to the Classic Block may be a stable temporary solution.

4. Check for Plugin Updates

Ensure you are running the latest version of Advanced Editor Tools. The development team is aware of these focus and interaction issues, and any potential fixes will be included in future updates. Check the plugin's changelog to see if a resolution has been released.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to monitor the plugin's official development channels for updates on a permanent code-based fix for this specific conflict.