Did you know that WordPress has added some basic photo editing tools to the ‘Image‘ block on the Block editor?

Some of these tools are available in the WordPress media library, but others aren’t. But what are they, and how do you use them?

Banner for the blog post 5 WordPress Photo Editing Tools Available To Use On The Block Editor — 5 WordPress Photo Editing Tools Available To Use On The Block Editor

Let’s get started

First, open up a new draft post and, using the image block, add a photo or image from your WordPress media library. I’m using a picture of my dogs, Austin and Toby.

Now let me take you through each tool and how to use them.

1. Add Text Over Image

Click on the ‘Add Text Over Image’ button on the image toolbar.

Screenshot showing the location of the 'Add Text Over Image' button on the Block editor — Add text over image button

‘Type/To Choose A Block’ will appear on the image.

Screenshot showing where to add text on a photo on the image block on the Block editor on WordPress — Where to add text

Click on it and add your text.

Screenshot showing text being added to an image on the WordPress Block editor — Adding text to an image on the WordPress Block editor

But that text is in the wrong position. How do you change it?

Easy. Click on the ‘Change Content Position‘ button and choose where you want the text to appear. I decided bottom right.

Screenshot showing the 'Change Content Position' button on the WordPress Block editor — Changing the position of the text on a photo

2. Toggle Full Height

Click on the ‘Add Text Over Image’ button on the image toolbar.

Click on the ‘Toggle Full Height’ button.

Screenshot showing the position of the 'Toggle Full Height' button on the WordPress Block editor — Toggle Full Height

3. Zoom In And Out On An Image

On the image toolbar, click on the ‘Crop‘ button.

Screenshot showing the position of the 'Crop' button on the WordPress Block editor — The ‘Crop’ button

The image gets divided into nine squares (see next image).

Click on the ‘Zoom‘ button (see the next image).

To zoom in and out on an image, move the slider button forwards and backwards (see the next image).

Click the apply button to save any changes.

Screenshot showing the 'Zoom' photo editing functions on the WordPress Block editor — Zoom

4. Rotate The Image

On the image toolbar, click on the ‘Crop‘ button.

Click the ‘rotate‘ button to rotate the image.

Screenshot showing the position of the 'Rotate' button on the WordPress Block editor — The ‘Rotate’ button

Click the ‘apply‘ button to save any changes.

5. Change The Aspect Ratio

On the image toolbar, click on the ‘Crop‘ button.

Click the ‘Aspect Ratio‘ button and make your selection. There is much more choice than when you perform this task in the WordPress media library. I have chosen the ‘square‘ option (see the next image).