Enable WordPress FSE (Full Site Editing), step‑by‑step

Want to use WordPress FSE (the Site Editor) to edit headers, footers, and templates with blocks? This guide shows how to confirm theme requirements, open the Site Editor, customize templates and Global Styles, migrate classic menus/widgets, and roll back safely if something goes wrong.

How do I turn on Full Site Editing in WordPress?

Enable FSE in 3 steps

Check the requirement: FSE appears only when a block theme is active. If you see Appearance → Editor in your dashboard, you’re good; if not, switch to a block theme.
Open the Site Editor: go to Appearance → Editor. You’ll edit templates, template parts (Header/Footer), Navigation, and Styles here.
Make a quick backup or use staging: before big template changes, test on staging or export your current styles.

Why this matters: the Site Editor is designed for block themes and won’t show with classic themes.

I don’t see Appearance → Editor. What now?

Install/activate a block theme

Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New, filter for Block Themes, and install one (e.g., a recent default like Twenty Twenty‑Four).
Click Activate (or use Live Preview first).
Return to the dashboard—Appearance → Editor will now be available.

Tip: switching themes changes templates and styling. Try this on staging first if your live site is busy.

How do I edit my header/footer and page templates with FSE?

Edit templates & template parts

Open Appearance → Editor, then select Templates (e.g., Home, Single, Page) or Template Parts (Header, Footer).
Use the block inserter to add or change blocks (e.g., Site Logo, Navigation, Query Loop).
Save when prompted; changes apply site‑wide for that template/part.

Menus: in block themes, your menu is a Navigation block—add it to a Header template part and edit links there.

What are Patterns and Global Styles, and how do I use them?

Patterns, Styles & the Style Book

Patterns: prebuilt block layouts you can insert anywhere; use synced patterns when you want a reusable section that updates site‑wide.
Global Styles (the circle icon): set site‑wide colors, typography, spacing, and per‑block defaults—no CSS needed.
Style Book: preview how changes affect every core block before you save.

Workflow: insert a pattern → tweak it → save as a synced pattern for reuse. Then use Global Styles to standardize typography and colors.

I’m coming from a classic theme. How do I migrate menus and widgets?

Migrate classic menus & widgets to a block theme

Menus → Navigation block: add a Navigation block in your Header and import classic menus or build a new one.
Widgets → block areas: block themes don’t use PHP widget areas the same way. Recreate sidebar/header/footer features with appropriate blocks (e.g., Search, Query Loop, Categories).
Import widget areas (helper): on modern WordPress you can import classic widget areas into block themes via the editor tools, then refine with blocks.

Tip: if a plugin still provides only a “legacy widget,” use the Legacy Widget block as a temporary bridge.

How do I keep changes safe and roll back if I don’t like them?

Safe edits & rollback

Style revisions: Global Styles has a history—preview older styles and restore them if needed.
Template revisions: templates/parts also keep revisions; you can revert individual changes.
Staging first: try big redesigns on a staging site, then push to live when approved.

Bonus: the Site Editor UI keeps improving (navigation, patterns management), making it easier to preview and revert changes.

Need human WordPress help?

WP Assistant is a free tool created by Atiba Software, a WordPress design and development company located in Nashville, TN. If you need more personalized WordPress assistance let us know, and we’ll get back to you ASAP!