Reusable blocks and synced patterns

  • patterns
  • reusable-blocks
  • synced-patterns
  • page-editing

Updated

A synced pattern is a section you save once and reuse on many pages, like a CTA band, a contact strip, or a disclaimer. Change it once and every page updates. Older versions of WordPress call these Reusable blocks.

Create a synced pattern

  1. Select the block that holds the section, or Shift-click to select several blocks.
  2. Open the ⋮ (Options) menu in the block toolbar.
  3. Choose Create pattern, or Add to Reusable blocks on older WordPress versions.
  4. Name it and save.

Add it to another page

  1. Open the block inserter.
  2. Go to the Patterns tab (Reusable on older versions).
  3. Click your pattern to add it.

Don't put one synced pattern inside another.

How do I change one copy without changing the others?

Any change you make to a synced pattern shows up on every page that uses it. If one page needs a different version:

  1. Select the pattern on that page.
  2. Choose Detach (or Convert to regular blocks).
  3. Edit it. That copy no longer updates with the others.

Manage patterns

Edit, rename, or delete patterns under Appearance → Patterns. On older versions, use the Manage link in the inserter's Reusable tab.

Tips

  • Name patterns by what they are ("Footer CTA", "Office hours strip"), not by the page they're on.
  • After you change a pattern, check a few pages that use it.
  • For a starting layout you'll change on each page, detach it right after you add it. Newer WordPress versions also let you save an unsynced pattern.