Advanced Editor Tools

What is Advanced Editor Tools?

Advanced Editor Tools, formerly known as TinyMCE Advanced, is a veteran WordPress plugin that bridges the gap between the classic TinyMCE editor and the modern Block Editor (Gutenberg). Developed by Andrew Ozz for 19 years, it has accumulated over 1 million active installs and holds a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from 354 reviews. The plugin’s core purpose is to reintroduce the familiar classic editing experience within the block editor via a dedicated “Classic Paragraph” block. It also offers a full replacement option for the default editor, giving site owners control over their writing workflow. With 81% of its ratings being five-star, it remains a trusted tool for users who prefer the traditional editor interface.

The plugin has been tested up to WordPress 6.9.4 and requires at least version 5.9.2. Its current version, 5.9.2, was last updated on December 8, 2025. Despite its age, it continues to evolve, focusing on improving the Classic Paragraph block and adding advanced settings for tables. The plugin does not collect any user data, set cookies, or connect to third-party services, making it a privacy-safe choice for any website.

Key Features of Advanced Editor Tools

• Classic Paragraph Block: Adds a dedicated block for the block editor that behaves like the classic TinyMCE editor, allowing users to mix classic and modern blocks on the same page.
• Customizable Toolbar: Lets you add, remove, and arrange up to four rows of buttons, including font sizes, font family, text colors, background colors, and table controls.
• Table Creation and Editing: Supports creating and editing tables directly within Classic blocks and the classic editor, with advanced settings for inline styles and resizing.
• Search and Replace: Provides a search and replace function specifically for Classic blocks and the classic editor, a feature missing from the default block editor.
• Font Family and Font Sizes: Enables setting custom font families and font sizes within Classic blocks, giving users more typographic control than standard blocks offer.
• Default Block Setting: Allows you to set the Classic Paragraph or Classic block as the default block when creating new posts in the block editor.
• Block Conversion: Supports converting most default blocks to classic paragraphs and back, providing flexibility when switching between editing modes.
• Improved List Options: Adds more options when inserting lists in Classic blocks and the classic editor, including advanced list formatting controls.

Who Should Use Advanced Editor Tools?

This plugin is ideal for users who are not fully comfortable with the block editor or who rely on plugins that only work within the classic TinyMCE interface. With 1 million active installs, it clearly serves a large audience of site owners who prefer the traditional writing experience. It is especially useful for content-heavy sites where authors need quick access to familiar toolbar buttons, font controls, and table editing without learning Gutenberg’s block-based workflow.

Beginner and intermediate users will find the setup straightforward, as the plugin offers a simple toggle to replace the block editor entirely. Advanced users can fine-tune up to four rows of toolbar buttons and import CSS classes from their theme’s editor-style.css file. The plugin is also fully compatible with the Classic Editor plugin, allowing users to switch between editors as needed. If you manage sites with multiple authors who have varying skill levels, this tool provides a consistent fallback that reduces training time.

Installation & Setup

Installation is standard: search for “Advanced Editor Tools” in the WordPress plugin repository and activate it. The plugin requires a folder named “tinymce-advanced” in your plugins directory if installing manually. After activation, you can immediately access its settings under the Settings menu to configure toolbar rows, enable the classic editor replacement, or set the Classic Paragraph block as the default. The interface is beginner-friendly, with clear checkboxes and dropdowns that do not require coding knowledge.

Support & Community

Support for Advanced Editor Tools shows a significant gap. Over the last two months, there have been 5 open support threads with zero resolved issues, resulting in a 25% resolution rate. This is a notable concern for a plugin with over 1 million active installs. While the rating breakdown shows 81% 8% one-star ratings may reflect unresolved technical problems or server conflicts. The plugin’s FAQ addresses common errors like “Failed to load plugin from url” and missing table styles, but the lack of resolved threads suggests users may need to rely on community forums or self-diagnosis. For critical sites, this support gap should be weighed against the plugin’s long history and high install base.