Savory LifeRECIPES

See Editor Options: A Complete Guide to the Hidden Menu

Updated November 4, 2026

Total time
5 min
prep 5 min · cook 0 min
Serves
1
one portion

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See Editor Options: A Complete Guide to the Hidden Menu

See Editor Options is a hidden menu in many content management systems and web design tools that lets you fine-tune how your text and images appear. This guide walks you through the key settings, from basic formatting to advanced layout controls, so you can make your pages look exactly how you want. Whether you’re a blogger or a small business owner, understanding these options will save you time and frustration.

Ingredients

  • 1 content management system (e.g., WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace)
  • 1 web page or post to edit
  • 1 web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
  • 1 keyboard and mouse (or touchscreen)
  • Optional: 1 cup of coffee or tea, to keep you focused

Instructions

  1. Locate the editor options menu. In most systems, you’ll find it as a small gear icon, three dots, or a tab labeled “Options” or “Settings” in the top-right corner of the editor toolbar. If you don’t see it, try clicking on the ellipsis (…) or right-clicking on the page and selecting “Inspect” to open your browser’s developer tools, but be careful not to change any code unless you know what you’re doing.
  2. Open the menu. Click the gear or dots icon to expand the options. This usually reveals a dropdown or a sidebar with several categories, such as “General,” “Formatting,” “Layout,” and “Advanced.”
  3. Adjust general settings. Under “General,” you can set the page title, slug (the part of the URL after your domain), and meta description. These are crucial for search engine optimization (SEO). For example, if your page is about a chocolate cake recipe, you might set the slug to “chocolate-cake-recipe” and the meta description to “Easy, moist chocolate cake with a rich ganache.”
  4. Set formatting preferences. In the “Formatting” section, you can choose the default font, font size, and line spacing. For body text, a 16px font size with 1.5 line spacing is generally readable. You can also set the text color and background color for the entire page or specific blocks.
  5. Configure layout options. Under “Layout,” you can control the page width, alignment (left, center, or right), and the number of columns for text or images. For a blog post, a single column with a max width of 700–800 pixels is common. If you’re building a landing page, you might use a two-column layout to place text next to an image.
  6. Explore advanced settings. The “Advanced” tab often includes CSS classes, custom HTML, and responsive behavior toggles. If you’re comfortable with code, you can add custom CSS to override default styles. For example, to make all your headings blue, you could add h1, h2, h3 { color: #0000FF; }. If you’re not comfortable, leave these alone.
  7. Preview your changes. Before saving, use the “Preview” button to see how your page will look on desktop, tablet, and mobile. This is essential because some settings, like column counts, may not translate well to small screens.
  8. Save your work. Once you’re satisfied, click “Save” or “Update.” If you made a mistake, most editors have an “Undo” button or a revision history feature to revert to a previous version.

Tips

  • Substitutions: If your CMS doesn’t have a specific option, you can often achieve the same result with a plugin or by editing the theme’s code. For example, if you can’t set a custom font, you can use a plugin like “Custom Fonts” for WordPress.
  • Storage: Your changes are stored automatically in the database of your CMS. It’s a good practice to export a backup of your site regularly, especially before making major changes.
  • Common mistakes: One common mistake is forgetting to set a meta description, which can hurt your click-through rate from search engines. Another is using too many columns on mobile, which makes text unreadable. Always preview on a phone.
  • Keyboard shortcuts: Learn the shortcuts for your editor. For example, Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac) for undo, and Ctrl+S for save. This speeds up your workflow.

Serving Suggestions

Once you’ve configured your editor options, your page will look polished and professional. Use it for blog posts, product pages, or portfolio pieces. A well-formatted page with clear headings and proper spacing keeps readers engaged and encourages them to explore more of your site.

Variations

  • Classic Editor: Some systems offer a classic editor with a toolbar that includes bold, italic, and bullet lists. This is simpler than the block-based editor and may be easier for beginners.
  • Block Editor: Modern editors like Gutenberg in WordPress use blocks. Each block has its own settings, so you can format a paragraph, image, or button individually.
  • Visual vs. Code Editor: Many tools have a visual editor (drag-and-drop) and a code editor (HTML/CSS). The visual editor is great for quick changes, while the code editor gives you full control.

Storage and Reheating

Your settings are saved in the CMS database, so they persist until you change them. There’s no “expiration” for these settings. However, if you switch themes or plugins, some options may be overridden. To “reheat” (reapply) your settings after a theme change, you may need to re-enter them or use a child theme to preserve customizations. Always keep a record of your preferred settings in a text file for quick reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I see the editor options?
Sometimes the menu is hidden behind a collapsed toolbar. Look for a small icon like a pencil, gear, or three horizontal lines at the top or bottom of the editor. If you still can’t find it, check your user permissions—you might need to be an admin to access advanced settings.

What does the “slug” do?
The slug is the part of the URL that identifies your page. It should be short, descriptive, and include keywords. For example, “best-lasagna-recipe” is better than “post1234”. Changing the slug after publishing can break links, so set it early.

Can I change the font size for just one paragraph?
Yes, in most editors, you can select the paragraph and use the font size dropdown in the toolbar. If not, you can add a custom CSS class to that paragraph and define the size in the advanced options.

Will my changes affect all pages or just this one?
That depends on the setting. Some options, like default font, apply site-wide. Others, like page-specific meta descriptions, only affect the current page. Always check the description of each option—it usually says “Global” or “This page only.”

How do I reset the editor options to default?
Look for a “Reset” button in the options menu, or in the CMS settings under “Tools” or “Export.” If there’s no built-in reset, you can manually revert each setting to its original value. For complex changes, consider restoring a backup.

Is it safe to edit the CSS in the advanced options?
It’s safe as long as you know what you’re doing. A small mistake can break the layout, but you can usually undo it. Always preview before saving, and keep a backup of your original CSS.

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Safety notes: safe minimum internal temperatures from USDA FSIS; raw and undercooked fish guidance from the U.S. FDA. Food safety notes

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