Information for your WordPress website in the WDS theme and block editor.
Information specific to WordPress sites converting to the WDS theme and block editor have additional information noted.
Setting up your WordPress website for WDS
Enabled Plugins
These plugins are activated by default.
- Breadcrumbs NavXT – Although activated you can set whether to use the breadcrumbs or not in Customize under WDS Templates.
- WP Document Revisions – Standard plugin enabled, if not already enabled.
- WSUWP Gutenberg Accessibility – The plugin adds an accessibility and usability checker panel.
- WSUWP Plugin | Duplicate Post – Duplicate webpages and posts
Other plugins available
Please use plugins with caution. Don’t go plugin crazy and activate them all. See the list of available plugins and their purpose. We’ve included restricted, special use case, and deprecated plugins for reference.
CSS & JavaScript
Please be aware of accessibility requirements when adding custom styles and JavaScript.
If there were custom CSS and JavaScript, they were cleared. Many of the reasons for needing custom CSS or JavaScript have been eliminated with the WDS theme. You can copy it from your live website if it is still needed.
Working in Your Website
Block Editor & WDS Theme
The WDS Training video gives an overview of the Web Design System and block editing experience.
Converting WordPress website to WDS: Clear Formatting and Converting Blocks
Clear Formatting on Classic Blocks
Clear the formatting on the content in the Classic blocks. This will remove any excess styling or styling that is no longer on brand.
Select all the text and then select the clear formatting icon.
Toggle Toolbar: Are you missing the second row of the Classic block editor? Select the Toggle Toolbar to reveal the second row. The Toggle Toolbar is towards the end of the first row of editing icons.
Clear Formatting and Converting Blocks
You’ll want to convert the Classic block into blocks. Select the Classic block bar above your text for the toolbar to pop up. Then, select Convert to block from the toolbar. This will convert your content into blocks. You may need to make additional changes to these blocks but the Convert to Block will do most of the work, if not all.
Search for Classic Blocks: You can find pages with the Classic block by searching for wp:freeform using the \ search bar on Posts or Pages.
Log In
Add /wp-admin to the end of your site’s homepage url to login to WordPress.
To save you time, bookmark your website’s dashboard. This will redirect you to the correct login page, [website URL]/wp-admin.
Note: Do not bookmark the actual login page since the website URL might change if we experience malicious site traffic.
Add Users to Your Website
People with Administrator access to the website can add users to the website.
Make sure your users are taking the digital accessibility assessment.
Digital Accessibility
Please complete the required Digital Accessibility Assessment to ensure your content meets accessibility requirements.
All web developers, content publishers, editors, domain owners, or anyone who has any other role in updating WSU web content need to take the digital accessibility assessment.
Important: The assessment is required and needs to be completed yearly per university policy.
Reference Documents
- Executive Policy #7: Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Policy,
- Business Policies and Procedures Manual 85.55
Brand
The brand website offers additional information about brand guidelines. Please review the Web and Digital information and the guidance section.
Get Help with Your Website
If you get to a point where you are stuck, we have our Slack Team where the WSU web community can provide help, join our Open Lab on Fridays where you can ask questions, or submit a web support ticket for help.
- WSU Web Slack team
- Open Lab Sessions (Fridays from 9:30am to 11:00am)
- Web Support Ticket