{"id":187,"date":"2023-10-20T15:19:09","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T19:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cutheme-docs\/?page_id=187"},"modified":"2026-08-10T19:46:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T23:46:21","slug":"basic-text-editing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cutheme-docs\/basic-training\/basic-training-module-1-getting-started\/basic-text-editing\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Text Editing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Basic Text Editing\n <\/h1>\n \n \n \n\n

Basic Training Module 1: Getting Started<\/p>\n\n\n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Most website updates involve editing text. Whether you’re correcting a typo, updating information, or creating new content, the Block Editor provides simple tools for adding, formatting, and organizing text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to edit text, apply basic formatting, add links, and manage content blocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editing Text<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Editing text in the Block Editor works much like editing content in a word processor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding Text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To add text to a page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Open an existing page or create a new one.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Click in an empty area of the page.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Start typing to create a Paragraph block automatically.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    You can also click the +<\/strong> button and manually select a block type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Editing Existing Text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To edit content:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Click within a text block.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Make your changes directly in the editor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Changes are automatically saved to the page draft as you work.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Selecting Text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Click and drag your cursor over text to select it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Once selected, formatting options such as bold, italic, and links become available in the block toolbar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"View<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Formatting Text<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Formatting helps make content easier to read and understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Bold and Italic Text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      After selecting text, you can apply formatting such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Bold<\/strong> to emphasize important information<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Italic<\/em> to add subtle emphasis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Use formatting sparingly to maintain a clean and consistent appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Creating Lists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Lists help organize information and improve readability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Bulleted lists for related items<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Numbered lists for steps or instructions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Log in to your site<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Navigate to Pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Edit your content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Using Headings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Headings help organize page content into sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            A well-structured page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Is easier to scan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Improves accessibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Helps visitors find information quickly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Heading levels should be used in order whenever possible. Avoid using headings simply because you want larger text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

              Adding Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              Links connect your content to additional information and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Internal Links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Internal links direct visitors to another page within your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Contact pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Service pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Related content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                When creating a link, begin typing the page title and WordPress may suggest matching pages from your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                External Links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                External links direct visitors to another website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Government websites<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • External resources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Always verify that external links are current and accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Managing Blocks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  Every piece of content in the Block Editor exists as an individual block. Learning to manage blocks will help you build and rearrange page content more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Moving Blocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  Blocks can be moved up or down the page using the movement controls in the block toolbar. This makes it easy to reorganize content without copying and pasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Duplicating Blocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  If you need similar content more than once, duplicate an existing block and modify the copy. Duplicating blocks can save time and help maintain consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Deleting Blocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  To remove a block:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  1. Select the block.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. Open the block options menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  3. Choose Delete<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    Only the selected block will be removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Transforming Blocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    Many blocks can be converted into another block type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Paragraph \u2192 Heading<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Paragraph \u2192 List<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      This allows you to change the presentation of content without re-entering text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Content Best Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      Good content is clear, consistent, and easy to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      When editing website content:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Use Headings to Organize Content<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                      • Break long pages into logical sections using headings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Visitors often scan pages before reading them in detail.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        Use Descriptive Link Text<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Link text should describe the destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Good:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        • View our Accessibility Guidelines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Read the Event Submission Process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          Avoid:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          • Click here<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Read more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                            Avoid Excessive Formatting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            • Too much bold text, colour, or emphasis can make content difficult to read.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Keep formatting simple and use it only when it adds meaning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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