Setting global defaults for blocks in the UI

[cagrimmett]

What problem does this address?

I'd like the ability to set new default settings for Gutenberg blocks in the UI. It is frustrating to have to update settings for each instance of a block when you add it if your use is different than the current default.

For example, I use the Separator block often, but I prefer to use it with the Dots option and Margins set to 5. If I use the Separator block 5 times in post, I either need to change those settings 5 times or copy and paste one instance with updates settings 5 times.

It would be great if this worked for not only core blocks but blocks installed from plugins and custom blocks defined in the theme as well.

What is your proposed solution?

Maybe a screen that lists all available blocks in an editor screen. When you click on one of those blocks, it opens the settings sidebar, just like when you are editing a page and a post. When you save that settings page, any block settings you've modified become the new default settings for future uses of that block.

Another option could be a button under the "Advanced" toggle panel that allows the user to make the current block settings the new default settings for future uses of that block.

[talldan]

@cagrimmett This feature does exist if you're using a block based theme. It's in the site editor in the styles panel. The 'blocks' option at the bottom of this screenshot:

You can't adjust everything right now (like the dots option), but can set margin. There are also a couple of other convenience features that are being worked on:

• Make it easy to copy (and paste) block styles
• Make it possible to push local block styles to global block styles

What you can do is probably a bit dependent on what theme your using though.