Gutenberg 14.2 is now available for download. This latest version brings several user interface enhancements, an easier workflow, performance improvements, and new header and footer blocks.
All of these new features are incremental enhancements that collectively enhance Gutenberg as a more polished and intuitive site editor.
Better User Experience
Smarter Suggestions for Query Loop Block Variations
This update improves the editing experience by displaying only relevant Query Loop block patterns.
Improvements to Writing Flow
Gutenberg now features a more intuitive writing flow.
Three improvements:
- The sibling and line inserters now feature a more natural animation effect.
- Selecting multiple blocks is now more visually consistent.
- The block inserter is now hidden when the user is typing, reducing visual clutter.
Better Functionality
Letter Spacing in Headings
Letter spacing refers to the space between each letter in a word. This new setting allows publishers to adjust letter spacing via the Global Styles interface, which is particularly useful for headings where some fonts might be too closely spaced.
Better Calendar Block
The calendar block now offers more customization options in terms of appearance and functionality. Background, link, and text colors can now be set for the calendar block. Additionally, it can inherit text colors from the parent block, and colors can be styled through the global styles.
Editor Performance Improvement
A bug affecting the Enhanced List Block feature introduced in version 14.0 has been fixed. This issue previously caused performance problems when list items were nested.
WordPress explains the problem and the fix:
"So, if a List item was inside of a List that was inside of another List block, that block would re-render 3 times! This problem has now been fixed and the initial load performance of the editor should be improved."
New Features
New Block Pattern Categories
Gutenberg now includes two new block pattern categories for banners and footers.
WordPress describes banners as:
"Banners" here refers to visually distinctive elements that help structure or contrast the contents of a page (including headings and “hero” elements).
Autocomplete Links in Blocks
A new feature, the link autocomplete, is now available in any block. Previously, this feature had to be activated through an opt-in but it is now available by default in all blocks. The feature is triggered using the [[ shortcut.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
Aside from the listed enhancements, there are numerous bug fixes and additional features that collectively make Gutenberg a more effective site editor. While there are no standout features, the cumulative improvements make creating sites with Gutenberg a much better experience.
Citation
What’s new in Gutenberg 14.2?
Featured image by Shutterstock/Dean Drobot
