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How to Use and Extend WordPress Block Editor Keyboard Shortcuts

11 threads Sep 7, 2025 Core → Requests and feedback

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Many WordPress users, especially writers and developers, prefer to keep their hands on the keyboard for efficiency. A common point of confusion and feature requests revolves around the Block Editor's keyboard shortcuts, particularly for inserting and formatting blocks like headings and lists.

Users have reported that while typing a slash (/) followed by a block name (like h for heading) is a great start, it often doesn't provide the specific block they need. For instance, typing /h typically inserts a generic H2 heading, requiring additional mouse clicks to change it to an H3 or H1. This extra step negates the time-saving benefit of the initial shortcut. Similar issues exist with list blocks, where a user might want an ordered list (<ol>) but the shortcut only provides an unordered one (<ul>).

Understanding the Current Shortcut System

The current shortcut system in the Block Editor is designed for broad, general use. It allows for quick insertion of a block type but often not its specific variations. This design is based on the idea that most users will then use the block toolbar or block settings sidebar to make finer adjustments. However, for power users, this workflow can feel inefficient.

Available Workarounds and Solutions

While the core feature for more granular shortcuts (like /h3 or /ol) is not yet available, there are several ways to improve your workflow:

  1. Use Arrow Keys and Enter: After inserting a basic heading block with /heading, you can press the Tab key or Enter to open the heading level dropdown and then use the arrow keys to select the level you want.
  2. Leverage Full Block Names: Try using the full block name for more accuracy. For example, typing /heading instead of just /h might yield better results in some contexts.
  3. Explore Third-Party Plugins: The WordPress plugin ecosystem is vast. Some plugins may extend the Block Editor's functionality to include more specific keyboard shortcuts. Searching the plugin repository for terms like "keyboard shortcuts" or "block editor enhancements" may yield useful results.
  4. Contribute to the Development: As an open-source project, WordPress development is driven by community contribution. The 'Requests and Feedback' team, along with the Gutenberg development team, reviews suggestions from users. The request for more advanced block shortcuts is a known discussion point. Users can participate in these discussions on development platforms like GitHub to add their voice and help prioritize the feature.

Improving keyboard navigation is a frequent topic in the WordPress community. By understanding the current system and exploring these workarounds, users can often find a method that significantly speeds up their content creation process while the core development of more advanced features continues.

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