What's New in WordPress 6.1 - New Features and Improvements

What’s new in WordPress 6.1 Update

Do you want to know what’s new in WordPress 6.1?

If yes then in this article we have shared everything you need to know about the WordPress 6.1 update.

WordPress 6.1 “Misha” is the third and the last major update of the year and was released on November 1st 2022.

This update brings 11 releases of Gutenberg into the core from 13.1 to 14.1 and is focused on improving the already existing features.

Doing this will close some gap in the functionality as WordPress is heading towards the phase 3 of Gutenberg.

Keeping this in mind, in this article we have tried to cover almost every new features and improvement included in WordPress 6.1 update.

WordPress 6.1 Update

Before we learn more about WordPress 6.1 “Misha”, it is important to know that we have touched on some of these topics briefly in our article on WordPress 6.1 BETA.

And here we will be covering everything in a bit more detail.

With that said, below are the topics

New Twenty Twenty-Three Theme

Just like every year, the last WordPress update includes a new theme which is name after the coming year.

And hence this year it is Twenty Twenty-Three.

New Twenty Twenty-Three theme in WordPress 6.1
New Twenty Twenty-Three theme in WordPress 6.1

First things first, Twenty Twenty-Three is a minimalist theme that comes with over 10 different style variations that you can use with just one click.

Style variations in Twenty Twenty Theme
Style variations in Twenty Twenty Theme

Apart from this, Twenty Twenty-Three theme uses Fluid Typography and includes fonts used by style variations.

New fonts in Twenty Twenty Three theme in WordPress 6.1
New fonts in Twenty Twenty Three theme in WordPress 6.1

It is important to know that, no matter which style variation you select, you will be able to change / choose font as per your liking.

All in all, Twenty Twenty-Three is a solid, clean blank canvas that you can use to build complex or a simple website easily.

And this theme will be the new default theme that will come in new WordPress installations.

Block Theme Filter in WordPress theme repository

While we are on the topic of new WordPress themes, it is important to know that when searching for themes in the WordPress dashboard, you can use filters that are on the top.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Filters in theme repository before WordPress 6.1
Filters in theme repository before WordPress 6.1

In this list you will find a new addition which is Block Themes in WordPress 6.1

New Block Themes filter in theme repository in WordPress 6.1
New Block Themes filter in theme repository in WordPress 6.1

And with just one click, it will show you all the block themes in the built-in WordPress theme repository.

New Block Themes Help

Another change that has been introduced in WordPress 6.1 update is the addition of block themes help in WordPress dashboard theme repository.

To see this improvement, you need to visit WordPress theme repository and click Add New.

After this, you will have to click Help on the top right and it will show you the New Block Themes Help.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Block Themes help missing before WordPress 6.1
Block Themes help missing before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
New Block Themes help in WordPress 6.1
New Block Themes help in WordPress 6.1

Site Editor in WordPress 6.1

Now that you are familiar with the new Twenty Twenty-Three theme, new block theme filter and help, in this section we will be discussing changes to the site editor in WordPress 6.1.

Full site editing or the site editor was introduced in WordPress 5.9 and it took the place of Customizer in Block Themes.

This new site editor allows you to create templates and customize your site using the block editor.

Keeping this in mind, below we have shared improvements to site editor in WordPress 6.1 update.

More Templates

The first improvement that you will notice in the site editor after WordPress 6.1 is for the templates.

Before WordPress 6.1, the site editor only allowed you to create templates for only a few pages on your site such as

  • Front Page
  • Category
  • Date
  • Tag
  • Taxonomy

And more.

Templates in Site Editor before WordPress 6.1
Templates in Site Editor before WordPress 6.1

As you can see, there was no option to create templates for Single Posts, Pages and Custom Post Types.

And this means you had to use the templates that came with the theme.

This has changed in WordPress 6.1 and now you will be able to create templates for

  • Pages
  • Posts
  • Custom Post Types
  • Custom Taxonomy

And more.

Templates in Site Editor after WordPress 6.1
Templates in Site Editor after WordPress 6.1

Apart from this, at the very bottom you will see the option to create custom templates as well.

Templates for Specific items

The next improvement that you will come across in the site editor is the ability to create templates for specific item.

Here specific item means individual page, post , custom post type or taxonomy.

While browsing the web, you must have come across site that have different templates for different pages and posts.

For example, template for product reviews will be very different from a tutorial for the same product.

Now, if you have a few pages, post, categories or tags on your site then on adding a new template, it will show you a popup letting you select if you a want to assign this template to a specific item.

Option to create templates for specific items in WordPress 6.1
Option to create templates for specific items in WordPress 6.1

On selecting, it will ask you to pick the item that you want to create this template for.

And once done, it will take you to site editor where you will be able to create one.

Create templates for Specific Items in WordPress 6.1
Create templates for Specific Items in WordPress 6.1

This feature basically leverages / brings template hierarchy to site editor or block themes.

Template parts in block inserter

While we are on the topic of templates and template parts, after WordPress 6.1 update, you will be able to add them using the block inserter.

See the below screenshot for reference

  • Below WordPress 6.1
Template Parts missing in Block Inserter before WordPress 6.1
Template Parts missing in Block Inserter before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Template parts in block inserter after WordPress 6.1
Template parts in block inserter after WordPress 6.1

Replace Template Part

Now that you know- you can easily add template parts using the block inserter, the next improvement you will notice is that the Replace Template part option has been moved to the ellipsis menu.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Replace Template part option in toolbar before WordPress 6.1
Replace Template part option in toolbar before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Replace template part option in ellipsis menu after WordPress 6.1 update
Replace template part option in ellipsis menu after WordPress 6.1 update

When you will click this option, it will open a modal using which you can search and select a template part to replace.

Here the search box is the new addition in WordPress 6.1 update.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Search box missing in replace template part modal before WordPress 6.1
Search box missing in replace template part modal before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Search box in replace template part modal in WordPress 6.1
Search box in replace template part modal in WordPress 6.1

Edit a template part

Keeping on with the trend, another change that has been introduced in WordPress 6.1 update is that the Edit Template option is now on the Template Part toolbar instead of the ellipsis menu.

See the below screenshot for reference.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Option to edit template part before WordPress 6.1
Option to edit template part before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Option to Edit Template part after WordPress 6.1
Option to Edit Template part after WordPress 6.1

When you will click this option, it will take you to the template editor where you will be able to make changes to the template part.

It is important to know that Template Editor was introduced in WordPress 5.8 and you can easily enable template editing on a non block based theme by adding a code snippet in the functions.php file or a site specific plugin.

Template Part Support for Classic Themes

Working on the lines of template editing, Classic Themes now support Template Parts and you can opt-in to this feature by adding the below mentioned code snippet in functions.php file or a site specific plugin.

function add_block_template_part_support() {
	add_theme_support( 'block-template-parts' );
}
 
add_action( 'after_setup_theme', 'add_block_template_part_support' );

Once you are done adding the code, you will see a new Template Part option under Appearance in your WordPress dashboard.

Support for Template Parts in Classic Themes after WordPress 6.1
Support for Template Parts in Classic Themes after WordPress 6.1

On clicking this option, it will take you to the site editor and if your theme comes with Template Parts then you will be able to edit here.

Style Settings in WordPress 6.1

After the changes to the template parts, the next topic we are going to discuss is the changes / improvements to Style Settings in the site editor in WordPress 6.1 update.

Global Styles for Headings

In the style settings, the first change that you are going to notice in WordPress 6.1 is the introduction of Global Styles for Headings.

To see this improvement, you need to click Style Settings on the top right and then click Typography.

Clicking Typography will show you a new option for Headings

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Global Typography settings before WordPress 6.1
Global Typography settings before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Global Typography settings for Headings in WordPress 6.1
Global Typography settings for Headings in WordPress 6.1

When you will click Headings, it will show you the option to

  • Select Heading
  • Choose Font Family
  • Set Line Height
  • Adjust Letter Spacing
  • Select Lettercase
All Global typography options for headings in WordPress 6.1
All Global typography options for headings in WordPress 6.1

Here you can choose as per your needs and then click Save.

Similarly, when you will click Colors, you will find Global Colors for Headings in WordPress 6.1

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Global Color Settings before WordPress 6.1
Global Color Settings before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Global Color Settings for Headings in WordPress 6.1
Global Color Settings for Headings in WordPress 6.1

On clicking Headings it will show you all the options to select / change

  • Heading Level
  • Text Color
  • Background Color
All global color options for headings in WordPress 6.1
All global color options for headings in WordPress 6.1

You can pick as per your requirements and once done click Save.

Global Styles for Buttons in WordPress 6.1

Continuing on this trend, in WordPress 6.1, Global Styles have been introduced for buttons as well.

And to see this change you need to click Typography in Style Settings and it will show you the buttons option.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Global Typography settings before WordPress 6.1
Global Typography settings before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Global Typography settings for buttons in WordPress 6.1
Global Typography settings for buttons in WordPress 6.1

On clicking Buttons, it will show you all the settings and using it you can select / change

  • Font Family
  • Size
  • Appearance
  • Line Height
All global typography options for buttons in WordPress 6.1
All global typography options for buttons in WordPress 6.1

Here you can make changes as per your requirements and click Save.

Similarly, you can also click Colors and it will show you Global Color Settings for Buttons in WordPress 6.1

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Global Color Settings before WordPress 6.1
Global Color Settings before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Global Color Settings for buttons in WordPress 6.1
Global Color Settings for buttons in WordPress 6.1

Here you have the option to choose Text and Background color.

All global color options for Button in WordPress 6.1
All global color options for Button in WordPress 6.1

Once you are done making changes click Save.

Layouts

Moving on from the Global Colors and Typography settings, the next change that has been introduced in WordPress 6.1 is for the Layouts.

In this new option for setting Content Area and its Width has been added.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Layouts before WordPress 6.1
Layouts before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Set width of content area in WordPress 6.1
Set width of content area in WordPress 6.1

On top of this, Block Spacing control has been be added as well.

Block Spacing in Layouts after WordPress 6.1
Block Spacing in Layouts after WordPress 6.1

Preview in Site Editor

After this the next change that we are going to discuss is for the Preview button in the site editor.

In WordPress 6.1, the Preview button has been named as View button.

This button has the same function, the only change is its name.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Preview button in site editor before WordPress 6.1
Preview button in site editor before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
View Button in Site Editor in WordPress 6.1
View Button in Site Editor in WordPress 6.1

Block Editor in WordPress 6.1 Update

By now you are familiar with the changes to the site editor in WordPress 6.1 and in this section we are going to discuss improvements for the editor and blocks.

Improvements for Columns block

If you have been using Columns block for creating sections / layout then you will notice a few changes

titles of the Third and Two third variation

The first change that you will see in the Columns block in WordPress 6.1 is the new title for third and two third variations.

Before WordPress 6.1, it was 30/70 and 70/30

Columns block variation before WordPress 6.1
Columns block variation before WordPress 6.1

And after WordPress 6.1 update, it is 33/66 and 66/33.

Columns block variation after WordPress 6.1
Columns block variation after WordPress 6.1

Border Support for all side

The next major change that has been introduced in WordPress 6.1 for the Columns block is the border support for all sides.

Until now, you could set width, add styles, colors and more to the borders.

And it was applied to all sides which means there was no easy way available to customize borders for each side or direction.

Borders in Columns block before WordPress 6.1
Borders in Columns block before WordPress 6.1

This has changed after WordPress 6.1 update and now you will be able to customize borders on individual sides of the column.

To see this improvement, you need to add columns block and then navigate to Borders in the block settings.

Improvements to Border interface in Columns block after WordPress 6.1 update
Improvements to Border interface in Columns block after WordPress 6.1 update

As you can see the interface has been update as well and here on clicking the link icon, it will allow you to customize each side.

Customize Border on each side of Columns after WordPress 6.1
Customize Border on each side of Columns after WordPress 6.1

In case you are wondering able adding / changing styles then you will find the option under Color Panel when customizing a side.

Border Styles in Columns block in WordPress 6.1
Border Styles in Columns block in WordPress 6.1

It is important to know that, you will be able to use these settings in child columns when using variations.

Axial Spacing in Columns

After the border styles, the next improvement that you will find in the Columns block is the addition on axial spacing.

Using this you will be able to add spacing horizontally as well as vertically.

To see this change you will have to click ellipsis menu in Dimensions and then click Block Spacing.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Block Spacing in Columns block before WordPress 6.1
Block Spacing in Columns block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Axial Spacing in Columns Block in WordPress 6.1
Axial Spacing in Columns Block in WordPress 6.1

Borders in Image Block

While we are on the topic of borders, it is important to know that you will find the new border controls in the image block as well.

This means you will be able to customize border on each side. See the below screenshot for reference.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Borders in Image block before WordPress 6.1
Borders in Image block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Customize borders on each side of Image block after WordPress 6.1
Customize borders on each side of Image block after WordPress 6.1

It is important to know that unlike Columns block, you won’t be able to set / change styles as that option is not available in Image block.

Changes to Color Panel in WordPress 6.1

Continuing on the topic of styles and colors, there are a few improvements that have been released for the Color Panel in WordPress 6.1.

Color panel popover style

When you will open the color picker, the first that you will notice is that the unnecessary spacing from the right is gone.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Color Picker popover before WordPress 6.1
Color Picker popover before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Color picker popover after WordPress 6.1
Color picker popover after WordPress 6.1

Hex field available directly

The next improvement that has been introduced is the availability of Hex field on clicking.

To see this change you will have to click the custom color bar and it will open the color picker.

In the color picker you will see that the Hex field is directly visible.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Color Picker before WordPress 6.1
Color Picker before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Hex field visible without click in Color picker after WordPress 6.1
Hex field visible without click in Color picker after WordPress 6.1

As you can see, there are quite a few changes to the interface with the addition of Copy button and a better looking field for adding hex values.

Strip # from Hex values

Now coming to adding Hex values, the next change that you will come across is the automatic stripping of # from Hex color values.

See the below screenshot for reference

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Hex value in Color picker before WordPress 6.1
Hex value in Color picker before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Hex values in Color picker after WordPress 6.1 update
Hex values in Color picker after WordPress 6.1 update

It is important to know that before WordPress 6.1, it did strip the # from the Hex value automatically but it wasn’t instantly on adding.

New Duotone icon in WordPress 6.1

The change that has been introduced in WordPress 6.1 update is the new icon for duotone.

Unlike a circle icon that looks like brightness control, it is now a black and white triangle.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Duotone icon before WordPress 6.1
Duotone icon before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Duotone icon after WordPress 6.1
Duotone icon after WordPress 6.1

Colors in Social Icons block

While we are on the topic of colors, the social icons block has received a few improvements related to it

Background color

The first change that you will come across is the addition of background color in social icons block in WordPress 6.1 update.

To see this improvement you will have to select background color under Color Settings in Social Icons block.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Social Icons block before WordPress 6.1
Social Icons block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Background Color in Social Icons block in WordPress 6.1
Background Color in Social Icons block in WordPress 6.1

Using this you will be able to change / set background color of the social icons block.

Transparency Control

The second change that has been introduced in the social icons block is the addition of transparency control.

To see this improvement you will have to open the color picker and it will show you the transparency control.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Color Picker in Social Icons block before WordPress 6.1
Color Picker in Social Icons block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Transparency Control in Social Icons block color picker after WordPress 6.1 update
Transparency Control in Social Icons block color picker after WordPress 6.1 update

It is important to know that you will find transparency control bar in all three color properties which are icon, icon background and background color.

Padding and Margin visualization in WordPress 6.1

This is probably one of the most interesting feature that has been released in WordPress 6.1 update.

And in this while changing / adding padding or margin, you will be able to see how a block appears / behaves.

  • Padding in WordPress 6.1
Visualization of Padding in WordPress 6.1
Visualization of Padding in WordPress 6.1
  • Margin in WordPress 6.1
Visualization of margin in WordPress 6.1
Visualization of margin in WordPress 6.1

Margin in Separator block

While we are on the topic of margins in WordPress 6.1, it is important to know that its control has been added to Separator block.

To see this change, you will have to navigate to dimensions in Separator block settings and then select Margin in the ellipsis menu.

Doing this will show you the control.

New Margin Control in Separator block in WordPress 6.1
New Margin Control in Separator block in WordPress 6.1

Using this you will be able to easily add top and bottom margin in Separator block.

Gallery block in WordPress 6.1

In the past few WordPress updates, Gallery block has received quite a few improvements.

And in WordPress 6.1, there are 2 changes that you will come across.

Axial spacing in Gallery block

The first improvement that you will notice is the addition of axial spacing.

Using this you will be able to control spacing both horizontally and vertically.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Block Spacing in Gallery Block before WordPress 6.1
Block Spacing in Gallery Block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Axial Spacing in Gallery block after WordPress 6.1 update
Axial Spacing in Gallery block after WordPress 6.1 update

Background color

The next change that has been introduced is the background color for Gallery block in WordPress 6.1.

Background Color in Gallery block after WordPress 6.1
Background Color in Gallery block after WordPress 6.1

Improvements to Cover block

Just like the Gallery block, Cover block has also received improvements in the past few updates.

And in WordPress 6.1, there are a few changes that you will notice.

Featured Image

If you have been using Cover block then you must be familiar with the fact that you can add featured image to it with just one click.

The option for doing this was on the toolbar before WordPress 6.1

Use Featured Image option on Cover block toolbar before WordPress 6.1
Use Featured Image option on Cover block toolbar before WordPress 6.1

And it has been moved under Add Media now.

Use Featured image option under Add Media in Cover block after WordPress 6.1
Use Featured image option under Add Media in Cover block after WordPress 6.1

On top of this you will also see another option on the Cover block placeholder to add featured image.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Cover Block placeholder before WordPress 6.1
Cover Block placeholder before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Use featured image option on Cover block placeholder after WordPress 6.1
Use featured image option on Cover block placeholder after WordPress 6.1

Now when you will click this use featured image option, a placeholder will appear if you have not yet uploaded the featured image.

This was not the case before WordPress 6.1 update. See the below screenshot for reference

Placeholder in Cover block on using Featured Image in WordPress 6.1
Placeholder in Cover block on using Featured Image in WordPress 6.1

Overlay and opacity

After the featured image in Cover block, the next change we are going to discuss is a minor update to the overlay and opacity.

In WordPress 6.1 update, the overlay and opacity have been moved under Color in Cover block settings.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Cover block over and opacity before WordPress 6.1
Cover block over and opacity before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Overlay and Opacity in Cover block settings under Color in WordPress 6.1
Overlay and Opacity in Cover block settings under Color in WordPress 6.1

Post featured image in WordPress 6.1

While we are on the topic of featured image, it is important to know that the Post Featured image block has been updated in WordPress 6.1.

And in this when you will select link to post, it will show you the option to open in new tab and will allow you to add link rel attributes.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Post Featured image before WordPress 6.1
Post Featured image before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Post Featured Image block after WordPress 6.1 update
Post Featured Image block after WordPress 6.1 update

Improvements to Navigation block

In WordPress 6.1, Navigation block has received a few improvements and these are.

Menus in the sidebar

If you have been using the navigation block then you must be familiar with the fact that the option to select , create and manage menus are on the Navigation block placeholder.

Menus in Navigation block before WordPress 6.1
Menus in Navigation block before WordPress 6.1

This has changes in WordPress 6.1 and now, you will find menus in the Navigation block settings in the sidebar.

Menus in Navigation block after WordPress 6.1
Menus in Navigation block after WordPress 6.1

Importing

The next improvement that you will come across in the navigation block is for the classic menus.

Until now, when you import classic menus, WordPress automatically converts it into block menu and then the navigation is updated.

Classic Menu automatically converted to blocks before WordPress 6.1
Classic Menu automatically converted to blocks before WordPress 6.1

This has changed in WordPress 6.1, and now you will have to save changes in order to show the imported menu.

Classic Menu in drafts after WordPress 6.1
Classic Menu in drafts after WordPress 6.1

It is important to know that until you Publish this menu, it won’t be visible and it will continue to display the old menu.

Design control in Post Navigation link

Moving on from the Navigation block, the next improvement that has been introduced in WordPress 6.1 is for the Post Navigation Link or Next / Previous Post block.

And in this Appearance tools have been added to it such as

  • Color
  • Text Decoration
  • Font Family.

See the below screenshots for reference

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Post Navigation link before WordPress 6.1
Post Navigation link before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Post Navigation Link after WordPress 6.1 update
Post Navigation Link after WordPress 6.1 update

Comment block in WordPress 6.1

In WordPress 6.1 update, comment query loop block has received an improvement Typography controls have been added to it.

Using it you will be able to set / change

  • Font family
  • Size
  • Appearance
  • Decoration
  • Line height
  • Letter spacing
  • Lettercase

See the below screenshot for reference

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Comment Query Loop block before WordPress 6.1
Comment Query Loop block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Typography Controls in Comment Query Loop block after WordPress 6.1
Typography Controls in Comment Query Loop block after WordPress 6.1

Before we move forward, it is important to know that Comment Template block is a part of the Comments or the Comment Query Loop block.

And in WordPress 6.1, Typography controls have been added to it as well.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Comment Template block before WordPress 6.1
Comment Template block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Typography controls in Comment Template block after WordPress 6.1 update
Typography controls in Comment Template block after WordPress 6.1 update

Improvements to Query Loop block

While we are on the Loop blocks, the next topic that we are going to discuss is the improvement to the Query Loop block in WordPress 6.1

In this WordPress update, a new filter for pages known as Parent has been. See the screenshot for reference.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Filters in Query Loop block before WordPress 6.1
Filters in Query Loop block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Parent filter in Query Loop block after WordPress 6.1 update
Parent filter in Query Loop block after WordPress 6.1 update

Changes to Categories List block in WordPress 6.1

After the Query Loop Block, the next topic we are going to discuss is the changes to the Categories List block.

There are 2 changes that you will notice.

Categories is now Categories list

The first change that you will see is the change of name from Categories to Categories List.

This changes accurately describes the functionality.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Categories List block before WordPress 6.1
Categories List block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Categories block renamed to Categories List after WordPress 6.1 update
Categories block renamed to Categories List after WordPress 6.1 update

Show empty categories

The next change that has been introduced in the Categories List block is the addition of a new option known as Show Empty Categories.

As the name suggests, using this option you will be able to empty categories.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Show empty categories option missing in Categories List block before WordPress 6.1
Show empty categories option missing in Categories List block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Show empty categories option in Categories List block after WordPress 6.1 update
Show empty categories option in Categories List block after WordPress 6.1 update

Post Term Block variation

Moving on from categories, if you have custom taxonomy on your site then in WordPress 6.1 you will be able to add it as a block.

And it will list all the terms assigned to the current term

Post Term block variation in WordPress 6.1
Post Term block variation in WordPress 6.1

Archive block in WordPress 6.1

In WordPress 6.1, Archive block has received an improvement where a new option show label has been introduced.

To see this change, you need to activate Display as dropdown in Archive block and Show label option will appear pre-activated.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Show label option missing in Archives block before WordPress 6.1
Show label option missing in Archives block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Show label option in Archives block after WordPress 6.1 update
Show label option in Archives block after WordPress 6.1 update

Using this option you will be able to display or hide Archive label above the dropdown.

New inner blocks

After WordPress 6.1, there are a few blocks that now have inner blocks for better functioning and customization.

These are

List Block

The first block that now has a inner or sub block is the List block and it is known as the List Item block.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 Update
List block before WordPress 6.1
List block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
List Item block in WordPress 6.1
List Item block in WordPress 6.1

With the addition of the List Item block, you can easily re-arrange list items which was not possible before.

On top of this, you can indent a list item as well with just one click.

Quote Block

The second block that now has a sub / inner block is the Quote block and its sub block is Paragraph block.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Quote block before WordPress 6.1
Quote block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Paragraph block in Quote block after WordPress 6.1 update
Paragraph block in Quote block after WordPress 6.1 update

With Paragraph block being the inner block in Quote block, you will be able to add or change colors, typography and more.

Basically you have more control over customization.

Changes to Heading Block

Heading block is one of the most commonly used block in WordPress.

And in WordPress 6.1, Font Family and Decoration has been added to it.

To see this improvement, you will have to select Font Family and Decoration options in the Typography ellipsis menu.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Heading block before WordPress 6.1
Heading block before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Heading block after WordPress 6.1
Heading block after WordPress 6.1

Using these you will be able to change font family and decoration of Headings when using Heading block.

Edit Visually in WordPress 6.1

If you have been using WordPress then you must be familiar with the fact that you can edit the blocks as HTML and make changes as per your requirements.

One of the use case scenarios is when hiding pins in blog posts.

Although we recommend using Tasty Pins for it. But you can do it by editing a block as HTML and then making changes to it as well.

Keeping this in mind, until now if you had to go back to the visual editor then you will have to click the ellipsis menu and it will show you the option Edit Visually.

Option to edit visually before WordPress 6.1
Option to edit visually before WordPress 6.1

This has changed after WordPress 6.1 update and now you will find the option to Edit Visually on the toolbar.

Option to Edit Visually on block toolbar in WordPress 6.1
Option to Edit Visually on block toolbar in WordPress 6.1

Please note, this option will only be available or visible if you are editing a block as HTML.

Block Lock in WordPress 6.1

Block Lock is a feature that allows you to disable certain actions on block in WordPress with just a few clicks.

In WordPress 6.1, this feature has been improved with the addition of Apply to all block inside option.

Until now if you have been using Block Lock on container blocks then you must have noticed that the settings did not apply to inner blocks automatically.

This meant you will have to do it manually.

Block Lock settings not applied to inner blocks before WordPress 6.1
Block Lock settings not applied to inner blocks before WordPress 6.1

This has changed after WordPress 6.1 update and now with just once click you will be able to Apply block lock settings of the container to the inner blocks.

Inner blocks locked in WordPress 6.1
Inner blocks locked in WordPress 6.1

You will find this option in the Block Lock modal and to activate you will have to click Apply to all blocks inside.

Block Lock settings in WordPress 6.1
Block Lock settings in WordPress 6.1

It is important to know that, this option is only available on Container blocks.

In case you want to completely remove this feature then you can follow our tutorial on how to disable block locking in WordPress

Block Transformation in WordPress 6.1

In WordPress 6.1, quite a few new block transformation has been added and these are

Media and Text block to Cover

After WordPress 6.1, you will be able to transform Media and Text block to Cover block.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
No option to transform Media and Text block to Cover before WordPress 6.1
No option to transform Media and Text block to Cover before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Transform Media and Text block to Cover after WordPress 6.1
Transform Media and Text block to Cover after WordPress 6.1

Cover block to Media and Text

Similarly, you will be able to transform Cover block to Media and Text block.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
No option to transform Cover block to Media and Text before WordPress 6.1
No option to transform Cover block to Media and Text before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Transform Cover block to Media and Text after WordPress 6.1
Transform Cover block to Media and Text after WordPress 6.1

Code to Paragraph

Also, you will be able to transform code block into paragraph block.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
No option to transform Code block to Paragraph before WordPress 6.1
No option to transform Code block to Paragraph before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Transform Code block to Paragraph in WordPress 6.1
Transform Code block to Paragraph in WordPress 6.1

Subd Groups

Another change that you will notice in block transformation is that the blocks are now divided into 2 parts.

The first part is the blocks that it is frequently transformed to and the second one is the not so frequent ones.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Block transformation menu before WordPress 6.1
Block transformation menu before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Block transformation menu after WordPress 6.1
Block transformation menu after WordPress 6.1

typography controls in Buttons

Moving on from the Block transformation, the next improvement that we are going to discuss has been introduced in the button block.

In this change, more typography controls have been added and using these you will be able to

  • Transform text
  • Adjust Line height / letter spacing
  • Change Appearance
  • Set Decoration

And more

You will find these options under the typography ellipsis menu in the Button block.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Typography controls in Buttons before WordPress .1
Typography controls in Buttons before WordPress .1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Typography controls in Button block before WordPress 6.1
Typography controls in Button block before WordPress 6.1

Remove redundant block names

If you have been using WordPress then you must have noticed block settings having name of the block followed by the setting.

See the below screenshot for reference

Block names with settings before WordPress 6.1
Block names with settings before WordPress 6.1

This has changed in WordPress 6.1 and all such block name instanced have been removed across all blocks.

Redundant block names removed from settings in WordPress 6.1
Redundant block names removed from settings in WordPress 6.1

As this change impacts multiple blocks, below is a complete list.

  • File
  • Image
  • Gallery
  • Audio
  • Media & Text
  • Video
  • Spacer
  • Archives
  • RSS
  • Tag Cloud
  • Post Excerpt
  • Author
  • Login/out
  • Categories
  • Table
  • Latest Comments

Addition of Design tools

As a part of the effort to improve design tool consistency, typography and spacing controls have been added to multiple blocks.

  • Typography controls before WordPress 6.1
Typography support before WordPress 6.1
Typography support before WordPress 6.1
  • Typography controls after WordPress 6.1
Typography Support after WordPress 6.1
Typography Support after WordPress 6.1

List of blocks in which typography control has been added in WordPress 6.1

  • Paragraph
  • Categories List
  • Code Block
  • Column Block
  • Columns Block
  • Comment Author Name
  • Comment Date
  • Comment Edit Link
  • Comment Template
  • Comments Content
  • Comments Pagination
  • Comments Reply Link
  • Comments Title
  • Comments
  • Cover
  • Group
  • Media & Text
  • Navigation
  • Post Author Biography
  • Post Author Name
  • Post Author
  • Post Comments Count
  • Post Comments Link
  • Post Date
  • Post Navigation Link
  • Post Template
  • Post Terms
  • Preformatted
  • Pullquote

Spacing Support

Spacing control in WordPress 6.1
Spacing control in WordPress 6.1
  • Paragraph: Add spacing block supports.
  • Heading: Add padding support.
  • List: Add spacing block supports.
  • Media & Text: Add spacing block supports.
  • Post Date: Add spacing support.
  • Post Title: Add padding support.
  • Query Title: Add padding support
  • Spacer: Add spacing block supports.
  • Table: Add spacing block supports.
  • Tag cloud: Add spacing block supports.
  • Term description: Add spacing block supports.
  • Verse: Add margin support.
  • Video: Add spacing block supports.

Time to Read in WordPress 6.1

After the improvement to the blocks in WordPress 6.1, the next change that we are going to discuss is the addition of Time to read in the information panel / button.

Until now, it only displayed details such as

  • Characters
  • Words
  • Headings
  • Paragraphs
  • Blocks
Time to Read missing before WordPress 6.1
Time to Read missing before WordPress 6.1

After WordPress 6.1 update, it will also show Time to Read

Time to Read after WordPress 6.1
Time to Read after WordPress 6.1

You will find Time to Read by clicking the i icon on the WordPress editor toolbar.

Documents Settings

In WordPress 6.1, the document settings have received quite a few improvements and these are

URL slug

The first change that you will notice is that the option to change URL slug of the post / page has been moved up.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 Update
Post Permalink settings before WordPress 6.1
Post Permalink settings before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Post Permalink settings after WordPress 6.1
Post Permalink settings after WordPress 6.1

On top of this, the option to add new URL slug will appear when clicked.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
URL Slug option before WordPress 6.1
URL Slug option before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
URL Slug option after WordPress 6.1
URL Slug option after WordPress 6.1

Template Selection

Similarly, the Template / Template selection option has been moved up as well.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Template selection option before WordPress 6.1
Template selection option before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Template selection option after WordPress 6.1
Template selection option after WordPress 6.1

Now the option to select, add and edit a template will appear on clicking as a popover.

  • Before WordPress 6.1 update
Choose templates before WordPress 6.1
Choose templates before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1 update
Choose templates after WordPress 6.1
Choose templates after WordPress 6.1

Full width Author Selection and Trash button

Another change that you must have noticed in the document settings is that the Author Selection dropdown and Trash button are now full width.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Author selection dropdown and move to trash button before WordPress 6.1
Author selection dropdown and move to trash button before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Full width author selection drop down and move to trash button in WordPress 6.1
Full width author selection drop down and move to trash button in WordPress 6.1

Date and Time picker

The next improvement that you will see in the document settings is for the Publish popover.

After WordPress 6.1 update, its

  • UI / Design has been improved
  • Reset and Calendar help has been removed
  • Date and Time picker is more organised
  • Addition of new heading Publish

To see all these changes, you have to click Immediately in front of Publish under Summary.

  • Before WordPress 6.1
Date and Time picker in Post publishing panel before WordPress 6.1
Date and Time picker in Post publishing panel before WordPress 6.1
  • After WordPress 6.1
Date and Time picker in Post Publishing panel in WordPress 6.1
Date and Time picker in Post Publishing panel in WordPress 6.1

Before we moved forward, it is important to know that when scheduling posts, you will now see Today and Tomorrow when possible.

Use tomorrow in Post scheduler in WordPress 6.1
Use tomorrow in Post scheduler in WordPress 6.1

This change makes the process understandable.

Keep in mind, for you to schedule posts and pages properly, you will have to set correct time zone in WordPress.

And you will find this option under General WordPress settings in your dashboard.

New Keyboard shortcuts in WordPress 6.1

In WordPress 6.1, two new keyboard shortcuts have been added and these are

Strikethrough

New shortcut for Strikethrough in WordPress 6.1
New shortcut for Strikethrough in WordPress 6.1

Inline code

New shortcut for inline code in WordPress 6.1
New shortcut for inline code in WordPress 6.1

Also, keyboard shortcut to link to a post is now added to the shortcuts modal.

Shortcut for inserting a link to post in shortcuts modal in WordPress 6.1
Shortcut for inserting a link to post in shortcuts modal in WordPress 6.1

Block List view in WordPress 6.1

Moving on from the keyboard shortcuts, the next change that we are going to discuss is the addition of Always open list view option in Preferences modal.

As the name suggests, enabling this option will keep the list view open by default.

To see this change you need to click the ellipsis menu in the WordPress editor’s menu and then select Preferences.

Clicking Preferences will open the modal and you will find Always open list view option under Appearances.

Always open list view option after WordPress 6.1
Always open list view option after WordPress 6.1

This option comes disabled by default and you can enable by clicking the toggle.

Creation patterns for Other Post types

Creation Patterns is a feature that was introduced in WordPress 6.0 for pages.

And in this on creating a new page (blank / empty), a modal will appear containing Patterns that you can use to get started easily.

For this modal to show, one or more patterns on your site must include support for core/ post-content or Post content block type.

Keeping this in mind, in WordPress 6.1, this feature has been extended to other post types as well.

To see creation patterns in action you will have to create a PHP file for the pattern and save it in the Patterns directory of the theme.

This is a quick and easy way to register patterns in WordPress and is known as implicit pattern registration as well.

Moving on,

As discussed above, the PHP pattern file that you have created must include support for Post Content Block type and also you will have to add the Post Type where you want this to appear.

See the below code snippet for reference

<?php
 /**
  * Title: Hello
  * Slug: my-theme/hello
  * Block Types: core/post-content
  * Categories: featured, text
  * Post Types: post
 */
?>

<h1 class="has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-background has-x-large-font-size">Hello World!</h1>

As you can see in the code above, we want the Creation Patterns modal to appear on Posts hence Post Type is post.

In case you want it to appear on a custom post type then you will have to replace post with that.

Having said that,

Once you are done till here, you need to add a new post and you will see the Creation Patterns modal.

Creation patterns modal for Post Types in WordPress 6.1
Creation patterns modal for Post Types in WordPress 6.1

Appearance Tools for any theme

While we are on the topic of patterns and designs, it is important to know that after WordPress 6.1 update you can opt-in for appearance tools by adding the below mentioned code snippet in the functions.php file or a site specific plugin.

add_theme_support( 'appearance-tools' );

On adding this code snippet, it will activate the below settings

  • Border
  • Spacing
  • Typography
  • Link Color

Also, when we say any theme here, it includes classic themes.

External Libraries in WordPress 6.1 Update

  • Add support for WebP images in the Thickbox library.
  • Update PHPMailer to 6.6.4
  • Update the Underscore library for 6.1
  • Update Moment library for 6.1
  • Update jQuery UI library for 6.1
  • Update mediaelement.js to version 4.2.17
  • Update jQuery to version 3.6.1
  • Update Sodium Compat to 1.19.0
  • Update GetID3 to version 1.9.22

WordPress 6.1 Release Schedule

  • 21 September 2022- Release Beta 1
  • 27 September 2022- Release Beta 2
  • 4 October 2022- Release Beta 3
  • 11 October 2022- Release Candidate 1
  • 18 October 2022- Release Candidate 2
  • 25 October 2022- Release Candidate 3
  • 28 October 2022- Dry Run
  • 1 November 2022- Stable WordPress 6.1 Release

Update to WordPress 6.1

First things first, if your site is hosted on Managed WordPress hosting then the company will take care of this for you.

Keeping this in mind, if you are looking to update your site to WordPress 6.1 then the first step in the process is to take a backup for in case anything does not go as per the plan.

For this you can use BackupBuddy or UpdraftPlus

Once you have taken a complete backup, the next step is to click Update under dashboard in your WordPress admin and it will show you the option to update to WordPress 6.1.

Here you will have to click this option and it will start updating your site to WordPress 6.1.

And that’s it you have successfully updated your site to the latest version of WordPress.

WordPress 6.1

WordPress 6.1 Update video

Having said that,

I hope you will find this article helpful and are now familiar with the WordPress 6.1 update.

In case you have any queries feel free to get in touch.

To stay up to date with our content we recommend subscribing to our YouTube channel and email list.

Also, don’t forget to join our Facebook group.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *