SUGGESTION: Global Blocks Preview

Support
#1

Hey there, I’ve been recently creating global blocks using dynamic content so that I can manage a single block over several layouts. The only drawback to this approach is that when I am in the global block editor, I cannot view the content I’m editing while I’m editing it, because all of my dynamic fields aren’t in the loop while using the global block editor. Instead, I have to create the block on a layout page, save it as a template, and import the template into the global block editor. Likewise, making element css changes within the block is cumbersome as well, since I cannot see the dynamic fields while using the editor.

So, that being said, I thought it would be very nice to be able to select a preview product, post, archive, or page, etc. within the block editor like you can in a layout editor, so that I can view the content of the dynamic fields while editing a global block. I hope that makes sense.

#2

Hi @bobbybosler,

Thanks for reaching out about this. I see what you mean.

Regretfully, the Layout Builder and Global Blocks were not really intended to be combined in a way that the Global Block dynamically outputs data coming from the Layout. While what you’re doing might produce a desirable result on the front end, it really pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. As a feature on its own Global Blocks was meant to be a blank slate where you could design one or more page sections in isolation and output them in multiple contexts. We can’t really add a preview ability like you’re describing with out fundamentally changing how the Global Block builder works which would take a considerable amount of development time for what is more of an edge case.

What this truly exposes is that we still don’t have a way to output Global Elements. This is still something we have yet to fully explore and ideate, but we’ve always wanted there to be a way to toggle an element as “global” at which point it could be used in multiple contexts (Headers, Layouts, etc.) and if you change it in one builder it effects them all. For your use case this would be a more natural workflow since you could be working in any Layout and edit the shared elements without any context switching. We haven’t confirmed yet whether (or when) this will be possible, but it’s on our radar and we believe it would be a valuable improvement to the tool.

1 Like
#3

I love the idea of toggling an element as “global”! I also agree that that would indeed be a better solution that what I was proposing. So, as far as I’m concerned I give it a big ol’ +1 for development at some point down the pipeline! Thank you for considering my idea—you guys are great!

In the meantime, I think I’ll just create a “playground” layout of some sort where I can grab, swap, and tweak templates in a particular product context.

#4

Hi @bobbybosler,

Thanks for your appreciation, please let us know if you need any further help.

Thanks

#5

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