This may seem like a strange thing to blog about, but I need input from all of you bloggers out there about an issue with WordPress. For clarification, I am working in the new editor format.
I have been working on a blog for two days and haven’t posted it yet, because I am unable to insert external links.
WordPress will let me link images to an outside site, but will not let me link text.
For example, I had the title of a book, “Two Shorts and a Snort” that I wanted to link to Amazon. I highlighted the book title and the “link” symbol appeared just like normal. I clicked on it and pasted the URL into the box, clicked the next box to open in a new tab and then everything went away. The book title didn’t stay highlighted and no link was attached. Grrrrrrr!!!
I contacted WordPress support and the only suggestion they had was for me to clear my cache and try again. So, I did that and nothing changed.
Is anyone else having this problem? It totally hampers the posting of the blog as it needs purchase links.
I appreciate any help or insight you can offer!
***NOTE*** I switched back to Classic Editor for that one post, and it let me insert the links with no problem. I do hope this is a glitch WordPress will address. Thanks to everyone who commented.
Writing and Music 
Yes, Diana, thank goodness for Staci’s tutorial! And it worked perfectly. I understand not wanting to change, but I figured since it was inevitable, I’d go ahead and take the plunge. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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I stuck with the old editor, Jan. I’m paranoid about changing. I just scanned up and saw that you got it fixed! Yay for Staci.
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Fortunately it looks like Staci was able to help you. I have stubbornly resisted this latest change. So I didn’t have anything to offer. What a pain. I hope the rest of your weekend has been good. Hugs.
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Oh, my goodness!!! Thank you, Staci! That was the step I was missing. I am good to go now! Hugs!
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So glad it worked for you! I’m still not sold on the new editor, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. (I’m not a fan of change just for the sake of change, and I thought the old way worked fine.) A few years from now, I probably won’t even remember the other way!
Happy Sunday!
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I am with you, Staci. If it ain’t broke, why “fix” it. 🙂 The old editor was working fine for me. But, you are right about getting used to it. In a year, I won’t even remember how to do it the old way. Kind of like with Windows 10. Again, thanks so much for jumping in to help! Hugs!
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Oh, thank you, Staci! I reverted back to classic editor just to get the post ready to go up, but I will go now and open a test blog to try your suggestion. I don’t think I noticed the bent arrow. I’ll let you know if that fixes the issue. Otherwise, I have enjoyed the new editor and haven’t had any problems navigating it.
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You have to “apply” it, Jan.
• Highlight the text then click the pencil.
• Type or paste in your link.
• Click the three vertical dots to select “open in new tab.”
• Click the bent arrow that points left. (That should activate or apply the link.)
• Click anywhere else in the box and you should be good to go.
When I first started using this stupid new editor, I wasn’t clicking that bent arrow, and my links weren’t sticking. Hopefully, that’s what you are missing and this solves your problem.
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That’s really odd. I’ve used the new editor on another site I manage (on the day job) and had no problem linking text offsite. Just out of curiosity, have you tried opening your blog in a different browser to see if it works there?
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Thanks, Craig. You also work off a Mac, don’t you? I have a PC so I know some things are different there. Thanks for tweeting. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution or else WordPress will fix the glitch!
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Sorry. I tweeted it out in hopes that someone there knows. I do everything with either the app, or the classic editor. Usually combined.
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I panicked and returned to Classic Edit so I’m afraid I can’t help… good luck.
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That is one thing I haven’t tried yet. If nothing else fixes it, I will go back to classic and see if I still have the same problem.
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Wish I could help. When it comes to WP I’m dumber than a stump.
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Lol! Thanks anyway, John!
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🙂
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I just linked book titles yesterday to Amazon on a blog I’m working on and it seemed to work. I hope this isn’t a new issue because that is a feature we all use. My biggest issue has been some of the blogs I follow disappearing and I’m no longer following them.
Keep us posted!
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Thanks, Denise. I’m glad it worked for you. One thing I haven’t tried yet is going back to Classic Editor and see if the same problem occurs there. I may try that. As with everything, I know there are glitches. I hope this is one they fix soon!
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Can’t help you at this time, as I have not begun using the new system. However, I would suggest connecting with Colleen Chesebro, as she seems to have a bit of a handle on it, at least more than I do.
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Thanks, Annette! I’ll put out a cry of help to Colleen and also to Chris Graham and Sally!
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