WordPress makes creating and publishing content easy, but formatting issues can be a headache. Unexpected line breaks, missing images, alignment problems, and font inconsistencies can disrupt your page layout.
In this guide, we’ll explore common formatting issues in WordPress and walk you through easy ways to fix them.
1. Extra Line Breaks or Paragraphs
Sometimes, WordPress adds extra line breaks or paragraphs, especially when switching between the Visual and Text (HTML) editors.
Solution:
- Edit in HTML View
- You can switch to HTML view by clicking on the Text tab in the Classic Editor or Edit as HTML in the Block Editor.
- Remove any extra <p> or <br> tags you find.
- Use a Plugin
- You can use plugins like TinyMCE Advanced or Advanced Editor Tools to control paragraph spacing precisely.
2. Images Not Displaying Correctly
Images may not display correctly due to issues with file paths, image sizes, or alignment settings.
Solution:
- Check the Image Path
- Go to Media > Library and click on the image to see its URL. Ensure the URL of your post or page is correct.
- Use Proper Alignment Options
- In the Block Editor, select the image block and use the alignment tools to position it (left, center, or right).
- Regenerate Thumbnails
- If the images appear pixelated or blurry, use a plugin like Regenerate Thumbnails to ensure that WordPress resizes them correctly.
3. Font and Text Style Issues
Fonts and text styles may display inconsistently across pages or posts, mainly if different editors or custom themes are used.
Solution:
- Use Theme Customizer
- Go to Appearance > Customize > Typography and select your preferred font styles.
- Check for CSS Conflicts
- If you’re comfortable with CSS, inspect your page and look for conflicting CSS rules.
- Use Additional CSS in Appearance > Customize to override any unwanted styles.
- Use a Font Plugin
- For more control, try a font plugin like Easy Google Fonts. It lets you set global font styles without touching code.
4. Text Not Wrapping Around Images
Sometimes, you want text to wrap around an image, but it may not align properly.
Solution:
- Use Alignment Options
- In the Block Editor, select the image and click on the Align Left or Align Right option. This allows text to wrap around the image.
- Add CSS
- If the image still doesn’t wrap correctly, use the following CSS in Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS:
img.alignleft {
float: left;
margin: 0 15px 15px 0;
}
img.alignright {
float: right;
margin: 0 0 15px 15px;
}
- Use the Media & Text Block
- If using the Block Editor, try the Media & Text Block, designed for content that wraps around images.
5. Unwanted Lists or Bullet Points
WordPress may auto-format text into bullet points or lists, even when you don’t want it.
Solution:
- Switch to HTML View
- In the Text (HTML) view, remove any <ul> or <li> tags that WordPress may have automatically added.
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts Carefully
- Avoid using shortcuts like the hyphen (–) at the beginning of a line, as it may trigger list formatting.
6. Misaligned Videos or Embeds
Sometimes, videos or embedded content like forms or maps don’t align as expected or stretch beyond the page width.
Solution:
- Embed Responsively
- Use the Video or Embed block in the Block Editor. This block is responsive and should automatically adjust to the page’s width.
- Add Custom CSS
- To control the embed’s alignment, add CSS to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS:
.wp-block-embed {
text-align: center;
}
- Use a Plugin
- If you need more control, a plugin like EmbedPress lets you customize and align embeds easily.
7. Unwanted HTML Tags
Sometimes, switching between the Visual and HTML editors can lead to unwanted tags appearing in your content, such as <p> or <br> tags.
Solution:
- Stick to One Editor
- Minimize switching between the Visual and HTML editors, often leading to extra tags.
- Edit in HTML View
- Switch to HTML view and manually remove any extra tags. After cleaning up the HTML, check your content in the Visual editor.
8. Content Appears Too Close Together
Adjusting spacing is essential for readability if paragraphs, images, or sections look cramped.
Solution:
- Use Spacer Blocks
- Add a Spacer Block to control space between sections in the Block Editor.
- Adjust Padding with CSS
- Add padding to sections that need more space in Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS:
.content-section {
padding: 20px 0;
}
- Use a Layout Plugin
- Plugins like Elementor or Live Composer offer more control over layout and spacing.
9. Headings Not Displaying Correctly
If your headings appear in a different size or style, it can affect readability and SEO.
Solution:
- Use the Correct Heading Levels
- Stick to H1, H2, and H3 tags for better readability and SEO structure.
- Adjust Styles in Theme Customizer
- Go to Appearance > Customize > Typography and set the sizes for each heading level.
- Override with CSS
- Add custom CSS to change the heading styles:
h2 {
font-size: 24px;
color: #333;
}
10. Shortcodes Not Displaying Properly
If you use shortcodes in your content but they don’t render as expected, it can disrupt your layout.
Solution:
- Check Placement
- Ensure the shortcode is placed in a Shortcode Block in the Block Editor. Placing it in a regular text block can cause issues.
- Use Preview Mode
- Use the Preview mode to check if the shortcode displays appropriately on the front end.
- Disable Conflicting Plugins
- Sometimes, plugins can conflict with shortcodes. Deactivate any plugins that might interfere and check if the shortcode works.
Conclusion
Formatting issues in WordPress are common, but they’re usually easy to fix with a few simple adjustments. Following the tips in this guide, you can keep your content looking clean, professional, and reader-friendly. Whether you’re dealing with extra line breaks, alignment problems, or misplaced HTML tags, these solutions will help you maintain a polished look for your WordPress site.
