Title: The "Source" button vs. the "HTML" tab Last modified: August 22, 2016 --- # The "Source" button vs. the "HTML" tab * [patrick_here](https://wordpress.org/support/users/patrick_here/) * (@patrick_here) * [11 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-source-button-vs-the-html-tab/) * I just installed this CKEditor plugin and noticed that when I go back and forth between the “Visual” and “HTML” tabs in the editor, my changes can get messed- up. * 1. What is the intent of the “Source” button on the CKeditor toolbar? Is it that I should never use the “HTML” tab when I want to go and change the html …but should only use the “Source” button for that? * 2. Could someone explain to me what is going on here …ie: why my code gets messed- up when I go back and forth between the “Visual” and “HTML” tabs? (NOTE: this is probably a difficult/tricky question; please don’t answer unless you really know what you’re talking about). * 3. If indeed the intended use is that I should never use WordPress’s “HTML” tab when I want to change the html, I’m thinking that perhaps it would be best to just modify wordpress code to make the “HTML” tab not show at all (so that I don’t press it accidentally). Does anyone know how to do this? * Thanks in advance, Patrick * [https://wordpress.org/plugins/ckeditor-for-wordpress/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/ckeditor-for-wordpress/) Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total) * [samsterid](https://wordpress.org/support/users/samsterid/) * (@samsterid) * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-source-button-vs-the-html-tab/#post-5515483) * Hi Patrick, I don’t know the purpose of the Source button either. For the HTML view to work properly, make sure you have disabled **Advanced Content Filter** under CKEditor/Advanced Settings * _If enabled, CKEditor will strip all HTML tags that are not allowed by CKEditor plugins._ * Not sure if that is enabled by default, but it _**will **_mess things up when switching between Visual and HTML. * I have not tried using the Source button, but it has one advantage over the HTML tab – the Full Screen button is available when using the Source button * Sam * Plugin Contributor [vokiel](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vokiel/) * (@vokiel) * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-source-button-vs-the-html-tab/#post-5515507) * Hi Patrick, * The `Visual` and `HTML` tabs are from WP, which basically turns on/off WYSIWYG editor (CKEditor in this case). Switching between HTML to Visual (CKEditor) may change the content, as CKEditor is performing code clean-up (XSS check, ACF as mentioned above). * The `Source` button in CKEditor itself is editor feature, which allows to see/ edit the final HTML produced by the CKEditor. * To sum up: 1. `HTML` => `Visual`: turn on CKEditor – switch from textarea (plain text) to WYSIWYG editor 2. `Visual` => `HTML`: turn off CKEditor – switch back to textarea 3. `Source` on: see HTML source withing CKEditor 4. `Source` off: swich back to WYSIWYG visual editing in CKEditor Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total) The topic ‘The "Source" button vs. the "HTML" tab’ is closed to new replies. * ![](https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/ckeditor-for-wordpress_fbf8d9.svg) * [CKEditor for WordPress](https://wordpress.org/plugins/ckeditor-for-wordpress/) * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/ckeditor-for-wordpress/#faq) * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/ckeditor-for-wordpress/) * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/ckeditor-for-wordpress/active/) * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/ckeditor-for-wordpress/unresolved/) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/ckeditor-for-wordpress/reviews/) * 2 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [vokiel](https://wordpress.org/support/users/vokiel/) * Last activity: [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-source-button-vs-the-html-tab/#post-5515507) * Status: not resolved