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To put an element at a specific point in a WordPress post or page, add the block that provides that function in the post or page editor. Traditional WordPress widgets are assigned to theme-defined areas such as sidebars and footers; adding one under Appearance > Widgets does not place it at an arbitrary spot in an individual post.
Add a block inside a post or page
- Open the post or page you want to edit in the WordPress Block Editor.
- Place the cursor where the element should appear, then open the block inserter and search for the feature you need.
- Select the appropriate block. You can move it within the content if you need to change its position.
- Preview the post or page, then save or update it when it looks right.
Blocks are the normal way to add content within a particular post or page. WordPress includes many blocks, and a plugin may provide additional blocks for its features. Choose a maintained block from the provider when the built-in options do not offer what you need.
When the provider gives you a shortcode
A shortcode is a piece of text supplied by a plugin or service to display its output. In the post or page editor, insert a Shortcode block using the block inserter or type /shortcode, then paste the shortcode provided by that service. The block provides the insertion point; the plugin or service determines what the shortcode displays.
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Use this route when the item belongs in a theme-defined location—often a sidebar or footer—rather than at a chosen point in one post.
- In a classic theme that exposes widget areas, open Appearance > Widgets.
- Select the widget area you want to change.
- Add the relevant block or widget to that area and arrange it as needed.
- Check the site to confirm where the theme displays that area.
Some classic themes also expose widget settings through the Customizer, where you may be able to preview changes. The available areas and their locations depend on the theme. The block-based Widgets Editor supports blocks alongside widgets in those areas; existing classic widgets can be managed with a Legacy Widget block. WordPress.org documents the block-based Widgets Editor as introduced for classic themes in WordPress 5.8.
If you use a block theme
Block themes use the Site Editor, so the traditional Appearance > Widgets menu is absent. For site-wide or template-level placement, use the Site Editor to edit the relevant template, template part, or pattern. For an element that belongs to just one post or page, open that content and insert a block in its editor.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can a classic widget go inside post content?
Not necessarily. The Legacy Widget block can add, edit, and preview registered third-party widgets and widgets previously managed in the classic Widgets Editor. That support applies to block-based widget editing; making Legacy Widget available in other block editors, such as the post editor, is an advanced setup and is not enabled by default.
If a widget is available only in a sidebar or footer, do not assume it can be inserted in a post. Check whether its provider offers a maintained block or shortcode. Otherwise, compatibility may require developer configuration.
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Choose the right route
| What you want | Where to work | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Place an element within one post or page | That post’s or page’s editor | A suitable block; a Shortcode block if the provider supplies a shortcode |
| Place an item in a classic theme’s sidebar or footer | Appearance > Widgets, or the Customizer if it exposes Widgets | A block or widget in a theme-defined widget area |
| Change a block theme’s site-wide or template-level layout | Site Editor | Edit the relevant template, template part, or pattern |
| Reuse a registered classic widget in block-based widget editing | A supported widget area in the Widgets Editor | Legacy Widget block; availability in a post editor requires additional setup |
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