Reusable blocks and patterns in WordPress: save a layout once and use it again

The short answer: if you repeat the same piece on several pages (a contact block, a notice, a list of benefits), do not rebuild it every time. In the WordPress block editor you can save it as a reusable block or pick a ready-made pattern. Change the reusable block once and it changes on every page where it is.

What the site needs

What What to do
Reusable block A saved block (or group of blocks). When you change it, every page where you used it changes. Good for contacts, notices and post footers.
Pattern A ready-made block layout to insert (a pricing section, a call to action). When you insert it, a copy remains: changing it does not change the others.
Synced pattern In recent versions, a pattern can be marked as synced and then behaves like a reusable block.
Where they are In the editor, in the block inserter, under the “Patterns” and “Reusable” tabs; in block themes, also in the site editor.
When to use which Want the same everywhere and to change it in one go? Reusable. Want a starting point you then adjust on each page? Pattern.

Getting started

1 Open the page and build the block the way you want, once: Creating and editing pages in WordPress.
2 Select the block, open the three-dot menu and choose “Create reusable block” (or “Create pattern”). Give it a clear name.
3 Insert it on other pages from the block inserter, under the matching tab.
4 To change a reusable block, edit it on one of the pages: the change applies everywhere. If you only want to change one page, detach it from that block first (“convert to regular blocks”).
5 Check the pages after a big change: a shared block changes everything at once, for better and worse.
Changing a reusable block changes every page. A wrong price, phone number or sentence spreads everywhere. Make the change carefully, and take a copy first if the block is on many pages: Updating without breaking anything.
In block themes, the header and footer layout is also kept in templates: Block theme or classic theme. For the same effect of repeating a piece in the menu and sidebars: Widgets and sidebars.

Want help organising blocks and patterns on your site? Open a ticket with the address.

Open a support ticket

SEE ALSO

Creating and editing pages in WordPress

Block theme or classic theme in WordPress: what is the difference and which to pick

Widgets and sidebars in WordPress: what they are, and what changed with block themes

WordPress block editor or Elementor: which one to build your pages with

Customising your theme without writing code

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