Page Builders

Gutenberg Blocks

7 min read Updated Jun 21, 2026

Overview

The Gutenberg Blocks add-on also known as WPDM Editor Blocks provides native WordPress block editor integration for Download Manager. Insert packages, create download grids, display categories, and build download pages without shortcodes—all with visual, drag-and-drop editing.

Prerequisites

  • WordPress Download Manager installed
  • WordPress 5.0+ (Gutenberg editor)
  • Gutenberg Blocks add-on installed

Video Tutorial

Available Blocks

BlockPurpose
Single PackageDisplay one package
PackagesDisplay multiple packages with sorting options
All Downloads TableBuilds all downloads table visually (Pro feature )
CategoriesCategory listing/grid
Search ResultDownload search form
User DashboardUser downloads dashboard
DropzoneCreate a file upload area (Pro feature)
Category CardsCard view for selected wpdm categories
DashboardAdd user dashboard
Login FormAdd login form
Sign up FormAdd Sign up form

Adding Blocks

Method 1: Block Inserter

  • Edit post/page
  • Click + (Add block)
  • Search “download” or “wpdm”
  • Click desired block

Method 2: Slash Command

  • Type / in editor
  • Type “download” or “wpdm”
  • Select block from list

Method 3: Block Library

  • Click + (Add block)
  • Browse Downloads category
  • Select block

Single Package Block

Basic Usage

  • Add Single Package block
  • Search for package by title
  • Select package
  • Customize display options
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Single Package                                              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                             │
│ Package:                                                    │
│ [Software Pro v2.0                                    ▼]    │
│                                                             │
│ Template:                                                   │
│ [Link Template Default                                ▼]    │
│                                                             │
│ Preview:                                                    │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │  Software Pro v2.0                                      │ │
│ │ Version: 2.0 | Size: 45 MB | Downloads: 1,234           │ │
│ │ [Download]                                              │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Block Settings

Sidebar panel options:

SettingOptions
PackageSearch/select package
TemplateChoose link template

Packages Block

Use this block to display a list/grid of selected download packages with filtering and layout controls.

Title: Adds a custom heading above the package list.

Search Keyword: Filters packages dynamically by keyword (matches package title/content).

Include Categories: Displays only packages from selected categories.

Include Children: If enabled, packages from child categories of selected categories will also be included.

Category Match: Defines how multiple selected categories are matched:

  • Match Any – Packages from any selected category.
  • Match All – Packages must belong to all selected categories.

Exclude Categories: Excludes packages from selected categories.

Tags: Displays packages that contain the specified tags (comma separated).

Exclude Packages with Tags: Hides packages that contain the specified tags.

Author: Displays packages created by specific author IDs (comma separated).

Exclude Package from Authors: Excludes packages created by specified author IDs.

Toolbar: Shows or hides the frontend filter toolbar (search, sorting, etc.).

Toolbar Grid Assignment: Defines column layout distribution for toolbar elements (grid ratio configuration).

Order By: Controls how packages are sorted:

  • Publish Date
  • Title
  • Download Count
  • Views
  • Update Date
  • Price

Order: Sets sorting direction:

  • Ascending (ASC)
  • Descending (DESC)

Items Per Page: Limits number of packages displayed per page.

Link Template: Selects the package page template used for links and previews.

Pagination: Enables or disables pagination.

Columns: Defines number of columns in grid layout (for grid view).

Asynchronous Request: If enabled, loads packages via AJAX without refreshing the page.

Advanced: Contains additional advanced configuration options (if available).

Categories Block

Use this block to display download categories in a list or grid layout.

Include Categories: Displays only the selected categories.

Toolbar: Shows or hides the frontend category filter toolbar.

Title: Displays the category title.

Description: Displays the category description.

Items Per Page: Limits the number of categories displayed per page.

Link Template: Selects the template used for category links and previews.

Pagination: Enables or disables pagination.

Columns: Defines the number of columns in grid layout.

Asynchronous Request: If enabled, loads category content via AJAX without refreshing the page.

Category Cards Block

Display categories in cards:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Category Cards                                          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐            │
│ │ Software   │ │   Docs     │ │  Templates │            │
│ │ 45 items   │ │ 23 items   │ │ 12 items   │            │
│ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ └────────────┘            │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Use this block to display download categories as visually styled cards. Requires the WPDM Archive Page Add-on.

Include Categories: Displays only the selected categories.

Columns: Defines the number of category cards displayed per row.

Template: Selects the card layout template.

Button Color: Sets the color of action buttons.

Border Color: Sets the card border color.

Hover Color: Defines the color applied when users hover over category cards.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Categories Settings                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Display:     [All categories        ▼]  │
│ Show Count:  ☑ Yes                      │
│ Show Empty:  ☐ No                       │
│ Show Icon:   ☑ Yes                      │
│ Columns:     [3 ▼]                      │
│ Order by:    [Name                  ▼]  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Signup Form Block

Use this block to display a frontend user registration form.

Role: Assigns the selected user role to newly registered users.

Notes Before Form: Displays custom content above the signup form.

Notes After Form: Displays custom content below the signup form.

Logo: Displays a custom logo above the registration form.

Login Form Block

Use this block to display a frontend user login form.

Redirect URL: Specifies the destination URL users are redirected to after successful login.

Signup Page URL: Defines the registration page link displayed on the login form.

Notes Before Form: Displays custom content above the login form.

Notes After Form: Displays custom content below the login form.

Logo: Displays a custom logo above the login form.

Search Block

Search Form

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Download Search                                             │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Search downloads...                          ] [ Search]   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Use this block to display package search results.

Show Initial Results: Displays package results immediately before a search query is entered.

Items Per Page: Limits the number of search results displayed per page.

Link Template: Selects the package page template used for search result links.

Columns: Defines the number of columns used for displaying search results.

Dashboard Block

Use this block to display the WPDM user dashboard.

Recommended Categories: Displays recommended downloads from selected categories.

Show Favourites: Displays the user’s favourite packages section.

Login Page URL: Defines the login page URL for guest users.

Signup Page URL: Defines the registration page URL for guest users.

Login Form Logo: Displays a custom logo in the dashboard login form.

All Downloads Table Block

Use this block to display download packages in a sortable table layout.

Members Only Access: Restricts table access to logged-in users only.

Table Columns: Selects which package information is displayed as table columns.

Query Options

Include Categories: Displays only packages from selected categories.

Include Child Categories: Includes packages from child categories of selected categories.

Tags: Displays packages containing the specified tags.

Exclude Categories: Excludes packages from selected categories.

Author: Displays packages created by specified author IDs.

Exclude Author: Excludes packages created by specified author IDs.

Toolbar: Shows or hides the frontend table toolbar.

Order By: Controls how packages are sorted.

Order: Sets sorting direction (Ascending or Descending).

Items Per Page: Limits the number of packages displayed per page.

Pagination: Enables or disables pagination.

Asynchronous Request: Loads table data via AJAX without refreshing the page.

Section Block

Use this block to create a styled content section.

Background Color: Sets the background color of the section container.

Call to Action Block

Use this block to display a call-to-action area with text, button, or search functionality.

Action URL: Specifies the destination URL for the action button.

Action Type: Selects the action mode:

  • Button
  • Search

Text Options: Controls the displayed heading, description, and other text content.

Button Text Color: Sets the button text color.

Button Background Color: Sets the button background color.

Text Color: Sets the color of the displayed text.

Dropzone Block

Use this block to display a frontend file upload area.

Notes Before: Displays custom content above the upload form.

Troubleshooting

Blocks Not Appearing

Causes:

  • Add-on not activated
  • JavaScript error
  • Conflict with other plugin

Solutions:

  • Verify add-on is active
  • Check browser console for errors
  • Deactivate other plugins to test

Preview Not Loading

Cause: REST API blocked

Solutions:

  • Check REST API is accessible
  • Verify user has permission
  • Check security plugin settings

Styles Not Applying

Causes:

  • Theme CSS conflict
  • Caching
  • Wrong selector

Solutions:

  • Add more specific CSS
  • Clear cache
  • Check browser dev tools

Related Documentation

Applies to: WordPress Download Manager 7.x + Gutenberg Blocks Add-on