What is a WYSIWYG editor? Why devs are using it

Posted on September 24, 2024
By Carl Cruz
In General,

Ever tried to format text on a website? It can be tricky. That’s where WYSIWYG editors come in handy. WYSIWYG stands for “What You See Is What You Get.” These tools make it easy for anyone to create rich, formatted content online; so what is a wysiwyg editor?.

Key Takeaways:

WYSIWYG editors let users format text without knowing code
They’re used in many apps, from comment sections to email clients
These editors boost user experience and productivity
They keep formatting consistent across devices
Modern editors offer lots of customization options for developers

What’s a WYSIWYG Editor?

A WYSIWYG editor is like a simple word processor for the web. It lets users style their text, add images, and make lists without typing any HTML or CSS. What you see on the screen is exactly what you’ll get when you publish.

Why Pick a WYSIWYG Editor?

1. It’s User-Friendly

First off, WYSIWYG editors are easy to use. They make creating nice-looking content a breeze. This is great for apps where users need to write a lot.

Take JIRA, for example. It’s a tool for managing projects. Users often need to write detailed task descriptions. With a WYSIWYG editor, they can format their text quickly and easily.

2. It Saves Time

These editors are real time-savers. Instead of writing code, users can just click buttons to format their text. It’s much faster than typing out HTML tags or using markdown.

3. It Looks Good Everywhere

Another plus? Content looks the same no matter where you view it. Whether it’s on a computer, phone, or in an email, the formatting stays consistent.

4. It’s Easy to Learn

Not everyone knows how to code. WYSIWYG editors are great because they work like familiar word processors. This means users can start creating content right away, with no special training.

5. You Can Make It Your Own

For developers, modern WYSIWYG editors are flexible. You can customize them to fit your app perfectly. This means you can create a smooth, cohesive experience for your users.

Where Are WYSIWYG Editors Used?

These editors are all over the web. Here are some common places you’ll find them:

Comment Sections: Many blogs use them so readers can format their comments.
Email Services: Gmail and others use WYSIWYG editors for writing emails.
Task Tools: Apps like JIRA and Trello use them for task descriptions.
Chat Apps: Slack and Microsoft Teams have them for formatting messages.
Documentation Sites: Platforms like Confluence use them for easy editing.

How to Add a WYSIWYG Editor

Ready to add a WYSIWYG editor to your project? Here’s a simple example using Froala Editor:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, height=device-height, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0"/>
  <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/froala-editor@latest/css/froala_editor.pkgd.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
  <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/froala-editor@latest/js/froala_editor.pkgd.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
  <div id="editor">
    <p>Start writing here!</p>
  </div>
  <script>
    new FroalaEditor('#editor', {
      // Add your settings here
    });
  </script>
</body>
</html>

Wrapping up, this code gives you a working WYSIWYG editor that users can start using right away.

Wrapping Up

In short, WYSIWYG editors are super helpful for many web apps. They make it easy for users to create good-looking content. Plus, they boost productivity and keep things looking consistent. When choosing an editor, look for one that fits your needs. Froala Editor, for instance, offers lots of features and ways to customize. It’s a solid choice for many projects. Remember, the goal is to make content creation easier for your users. Pick the right editor, and you’ll make your app much more user-friendly. So why not give a WYSIWYG editor a try?