WordPress normally comes out with major updates a few times every year. These major updates offer new features and improve performance and security. Each time a new version is released, I like to send out an email with all the new features that might interest you.
Since version 5.4 is considered a major update (ie. not a minor security update), you might need to manually run an update on your WordPress sites. Or, your web hosting account may handle WordPress updates for you. (Not familiar with how to update your WordPress website? Check out my easy-to-follow step by step guide and video on “How to Update WordPress to the Latest Version”).
However, in general, I recommend waiting several days before updating to WordPress 5.4. This gives all the plugin and theme developers time to do any updates on their end, which tends to happen when a major release comes out.
New Features of WordPress 5.4
WordPress 5.4 introduced many new features around its block editor, also known as “Gutenberg.” WordPress debuted its own block editor as a part of WordPress 5.0 well over a year ago. However, I know many people (including myself) who are still opting to use the more familiar and simpler Classic editor.
WordPress is really trying hard to push the Block editor by beefing up its functions and ease of use. I’m curious to see if you’ll find these new features compelling enough for you to try the Block editor if you’ve been on the fence.
I’ll list some of the significant changes you’ll see with WordPress 5.4 below.
Fullscreen Mode for Page/Post Editor
WordPress is big on improvements that make it easier for website/blog authors to focus on writing. They introduced Full-screen mode a while ago to let you create pages and blogs without unnecessary distractions, minimizing the numbers of items shown in the editor. Now with WordPress 5.4, this is the default mode.
See how it doesn’t show the left admin menu and the number of the tools, etc. shown are minimized? If you need to go back to the default mode, all you need to do is to click on the 3 dots on the top-right and unselect “Fullscreen mode.”
New Block: Social Icons
We used to have to use a social media plugin to easily add social media icons and link to social profiles. The new Social Icons block lets you easily add social icons to your site.
It looks simple, but it works really well and offers quite a few icons.
New Block: Buttons
Until now, adding an attractive button to a post/page could not be achieved easily unless you have a plugin or theme that does the work. The new Buttons Block is a welcome addition to the WordPress Block editor. Creating a button is now so easy!
It lets you easily format the button as well.
Block Breadcrumbs
If you’ve used any WordPress visual editor, you know it’s sometimes hard to tell which level you’re currently working on – section, row, column, block, etc. With WordPress 5.4, all you need to do to find where you are is to look at the “block breadcrumbs” at the bottom.
The block breadcrumb not only tells you where you are, but also allows you to jump to a different level by clicking on it. For example, if you click on the “Column” in the breadcrumbs above, you’ll be moved to the Column level.
Featured Image – Just ‘drop’ it
Previously, to add a featured image, you had to first click on the featured image area to go to the Media Library and upload it there. The new featured image function allows you to simply ‘drop’ your image without leaving the page/post editor area.
Easier Color Management
You’ll see more color options for various blocks now. The color options can be accessed in the right column while you’re working in a block.
They even give you a gradient background option for the Cover block.
Select Tool
WordPress 5.4’s new ‘Select’ tool comes in handy when you have a hard time clicking and selecting the block in a page or a post. For example, you may sometimes find it difficult to select a block as your cursor keeps selecting a group that includes that block. If you use the Select tool, you can easily select the block you want.
The above are just some of the many features WordPress 5.4 introduced, including various under-the-hood improvements for developers. To read more, visit WordPress 5.4 announcement blog post here.
If you find any new feature that’s particularly useful to you, I’d love to know! Add your favorite new feature to the comments below.
