Description
Block Layout Exporter lets you design reusable content layouts in the Gutenberg editor and embed them anywhere on your site using a simple shortcode.
Build your layout once as a reusable block, copy its unique shortcode, and paste it into any page, post, widget, or page builder template, including Elementor. Update the block once and the change reflects everywhere the shortcode is used, instantly.
Features
- Custom Post Type for Blocks. Create and manage reusable block layouts in a dedicated admin screen, separate from your regular content
- Automatic Shortcode Generation. Each block gets a unique shortcode the moment it is first saved, ready to copy and paste
- Embed Anywhere. Use the shortcode in pages, posts, widgets, classic editor, Elementor, or any builder that supports shortcodes
- Gutenberg Compatible. Layouts are built entirely in the Gutenberg editor with full block support
- Centralized Block Management. Edit a block layout once and every instance across your site updates automatically
- Copy Button. Copy the shortcode directly from the block list table or the edit screen sidebar, no manual typing required
- Usage Tracker. See at a glance which pages and posts are currently using each block, with direct Edit and View links
- Duplicate Block. Clone any block layout with one click, generating a fresh shortcode for the copy
More Projects & Information
For more information about my projects, you can visit my website: caledrosforge.com
Screenshots
The All Blocks list table showing the Shortcode column, Used In column, and Duplicate row action. 
The block edit screen with the Your Shortcode panel in the sidebar. 
The Used In column expanded to show which pages and posts use a given shortcode.
Installation
You have two easy ways to install the Block Layout Exporter plugin:
Option 1: From Your WordPress Dashboard
1. Go to your WordPress admin area.
2. Navigate to Plugins → Add Plugin.
3. In the Search Plugins box, type “Block Layout Exporter”.
4. Click Install Now, then Activate.
Option 2: Manual Installation
1. Download the plugin ZIP file from WordPress.org.
2. In your WordPress admin area, go to Plugins → Add Plugin → Upload Plugin.
3. Choose the ZIP file you downloaded and click Install Now.
4. Activate the plugin after installation.
Getting Started
Once activated, a new Block Layout Exporter menu item will appear in your WordPress admin sidebar.
1. Go to Block Layout Exporter → Add New and build your layout using the Gutenberg editor.
2. Publish the block. A unique shortcode will be generated automatically.
3. Copy the shortcode from the sidebar panel or the list table.
4. Paste it into any page, post, widget, or page builder that supports shortcodes.
FAQ
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What is Block Layout Exporter?
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Block Layout Exporter is a WordPress plugin that lets you build content layouts in the Gutenberg editor and reuse them anywhere on your site via a shortcode.
Instead of rebuilding the same layout on multiple pages, you create it once as a reusable block and embed it wherever you need it using the generated shortcode.
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Do I need coding skills to use this plugin?
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No. Layouts are built entirely inside the Gutenberg editor and the shortcode is generated automatically. No custom code is required at any step.
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Will this plugin slow down my website?
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No. Block Layout Exporter is lightweight and follows WordPress best practices. Admin-only functionality is never loaded on the frontend.
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Can I use the shortcode inside Elementor?
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Yes. Drop a Shortcode widget anywhere in your Elementor layout and paste the generated shortcode inside it. The block content will render as expected on the frontend.
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Can I use the shortcode inside the classic editor or widgets?
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Yes. The shortcode works in any context that processes WordPress shortcodes, including the classic editor, text widgets, and theme template files via
do_shortcode(). -
What happens if I edit a block that is already in use?
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The shortcode always reads from the source block post at render time. Any change you make to the block is reflected everywhere the shortcode is used immediately, without needing to update each page individually.
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Can I duplicate a block and keep the original shortcode intact?
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Yes. The Duplicate action creates a new block post with a brand new shortcode ID. The original block and its shortcode are never modified.
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Where can I find the shortcode for a block?
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In two places: the “Your Shortcode” panel in the sidebar of the block edit screen, and the Shortcode column in the All Blocks list table. Both include a Copy button.
Reviews
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Contributors & Developers
“Block Layout Exporter” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
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Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
This changelog format is based on Keep a Changelog. Also, this project adheres to Semantic Versioning.
1.0.0 – 2026-05-16
Added
- Custom post type for managing reusable block layouts.
- Automatic unique shortcode ID generation on first save.
[bltexp_layout id="..."]shortcode for embedding blocks anywhere.- Shortcode column in the All Blocks list table with a Copy button.
- Your Shortcode meta box in the block edit screen sidebar.
- Usage tracker column showing which pages and posts use each shortcode.
- Duplicate row action to clone a block with a fresh shortcode ID.