WYSIWYG Editor

What Is a WYSIWYG Editor in WordPress?

WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) is an editor that simplifies the content creation process by displaying text and multimedia elements exactly as they appear after publishing.

Core Features of WYSIWYG Editor in WordPress

The primary function of a WYSIWYG Editor in WordPress is to facilitate the visual representation of content while you create it. Unlike a standard text editor that necessitates understanding code for formatting, a WYSIWYG editor offers the convenience of point-and-click to format text, insert images, and add layout elements.

User-Friendly Interface

The WYSIWYG Editor comes with a straightforward interface, often featuring a toolbar at the top for quick access to various formatting options. For those accustomed to word processors, the environment will feel intuitive.

Real-time Editing

As you make changes, you can see them reflected immediately in the editor. This real-time preview eliminates the guesswork involved in how your final post will look.

Rich Configuration Options

While the editor is easy to use, it is also customizable. You can rearrange buttons on the toolbar, choose from various design themes, or even add third-party plugins to extend functionality.

Popular WYSIWYG Editors in WordPress

TinyMCE

TinyMCE is one of the most widely used WYSIWYG editors for WordPress. It’s a JavaScript-based text editor that offers advanced functionalities while maintaining a simple, word processor-like interface.

This editor is configurable to a great extent, allowing you to adjust its appearance and behavior according to your needs.

Elementor

Elementor is another prominent WYSIWYG editor, featuring drag-and-drop functionality and a real-time editing environment. With its extensive template library, creating sophisticated designs becomes significantly less time-consuming.

Divi Builder and Thrive Architect

Similar to Elementor, both Divi Builder and Thrive Architect offer drag-and-drop capabilities and real-time editing. These editors have built-in accessibility features, making them usable by a wide audience, including individuals with disabilities.

How to Add a WYSIWYG Editor in WordPress

Adding a WYSIWYG editor like TinyMCE to your WordPress site involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Plugin Installation: Navigate to the WordPress Plugin Directory and search for the TinyMCE plugin. Once found, proceed to install it.
2. Activation: Go to your WordPress dashboard, locate the “Plugins” section, and activate the TinyMCE plugin by clicking the “Activate” button.
3. Configuration: After activation, a new menu item titled “TinyMCE Advanced” will appear in your dashboard. Clicking it will open the plugin settings.
4. Customization: Within the settings, you’ll find options for selecting which buttons to display on the visual editor toolbar. Arrange them as you prefer, and when you’re satisfied, save your settings. Your changes will now reflect in the visual editor.

Detailed Comparison of Popular WYSIWYG Editors in WordPress

TinyMCE: Versatility and Rich Text Features

TinyMCE, also branded as Advanced Editor Tools, provides users with a blend of classic WordPress editor features along with Gutenberg editor capabilities.

One noteworthy function is the ability for users to switch between “classic block” and “classic paragraph,” giving them the choice of default block within the editor.

In terms of table editing, TinyMCE stands out by offering features within both the classic editor and classic blocks. This editor is an open-source tool, readily accessible on WordPress.org.

For users seeking enhanced features, TinyMCE also offers a premium version priced at $25 per month.

Divi Builder: Comprehensive Website Building

Divi Builder distinguishes itself as a comprehensive WordPress website builder that meshes well with any WordPress theme. The editor is fully responsive, adjusting automatically to different screen sizes, making it mobile-friendly.

With a repository of over 40 content elements and more than 110 predesigned templates, Divi Builder is rich in features.

However, Divi Builder isn’t without its drawbacks. Some users report minor user experience issues and indicate that the learning curve can be steep for newcomers to website building.

Elementor: Best of Both Worlds

Elementor incorporates TinyMCE’s rich text editor, enabling an easy-to-navigate backend experience. Like the classic WordPress visual editor, Elementor supports the addition of rich text, images, and even WordPress shortcodes.

Beyond the standard features found in TinyMCE, Elementor introduces an array of additional styling options. Users can adjust settings such as font weight, line height, and letter spacing to fine-tune the visual appearance of their content.

Which Editor Suits Your Needs?

Making an informed decision among TinyMCE, Divi Builder, and Elementor will depend on your unique requirements and workflow preferences.

TinyMCE excels in providing a familiar text editing environment, leaning into its roots with classic WordPress and Gutenberg features. Divi Builder, on the other hand, is a comprehensive tool best suited for those looking for extensive design elements and templates. Elementor bridges the two, offering robust text editing alongside versatile design features.

Each editor has its strengths and limitations, and the fit will largely depend on your specific use case.

For example, if your primary goal is to have an editor that makes adding and editing text as straightforward as possible, TinyMCE might be your go-to option. It provides a classic text editing environment and additional table editing features, making it a robust choice for text-heavy websites or blogs.

If, on the other hand, your project demands a more comprehensive tool that goes beyond text editing—perhaps you’re building a website from scratch with a variety of design elements—Divi Builder can be an excellent choice.

It offers a wide array of content elements and templates but be prepared for a learning curve if you’re new to website building.

For those who are looking for a balanced blend of text editing and design capabilities, Elementor can be a fitting choice. Its rich text editor will feel familiar to those who have experience with classic WordPress editors, while its additional styling options provide an extra degree of customization that goes beyond what TinyMCE offers.