How to Add a Line Between Columns in Gutenberg

• Learn how to create vertical lines between columns in WordPress without plugins
• Discover a mobile-responsive solution for your column borders
• Explore ways to maintain visual consistency across different devices

As a WordPress enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for ways to enhance the visual appeal of my website without relying on too many plugins. Recently, I stumbled upon a neat trick to add vertical lines between columns in the Gutenberg editor. It’s a simple yet effective method that can significantly improve the layout of your content. In this post, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, sharing my personal experience and some tips I’ve picked up along the way.

First things first, let’s talk about why you might want to add lines between columns. It’s all about visual organization. These lines can help separate different sections of content, making your page easier to read and navigate. Plus, it adds a touch of professionalism to your design. The best part? You can achieve this without installing any additional plugins or writing complex CSS code.

The Basic Technique

Here’s how you can add a vertical line between columns in Gutenberg:

1. Create a columns block in your Gutenberg editor.
2. Open the document overview and settings sidebar for easier navigation.
3. Select the column where you want to add the line.
4. Go to the Style menu in the sidebar.
5. Click on the “Unlink sides” option for the border.
6. Apply a border to just the right side of the column.
7. Choose your desired color and adjust the border thickness (I find 2 pixels works well in most cases).

That’s it! You’ve now added a vertical line between your columns. It’s a simple trick, but it can make a world of difference in how your content looks.

Making It Mobile-Responsive

Now, here’s where things get a bit tricky. While this technique works great on desktop, it can look messy on mobile devices. But don’t worry, I’ve got a couple of solutions for you.

Option 1: Disable Column Stacking

The simplest approach is to disable column stacking on mobile devices. Here’s how:

1. Select the entire columns block.
2. Disable the “Stack on mobile” option.

This will maintain the column structure across all devices, keeping your vertical line intact. However, be aware that this might not be the best solution for all types of content, especially if you have a lot of text in each column.

Option 2: Use CSS for Mobile Responsiveness

If you prefer to keep the stacked layout on mobile but remove the vertical line, you can use some simple CSS. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Add a CSS class to the column (e.g., “borderless-column”).
2. Go to Appearance > Editor in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Add the following CSS code:

@media (max-width: 600px) {
  .borderless-column {
    border: none !important;
  }
}

This code will remove the border when the screen size is less than 600 pixels, which typically covers most mobile devices.

Maintaining Visual Consistency

One thing I’ve learned while experimenting with this technique is the importance of visual consistency across devices. While it’s tempting to create elaborate designs for desktop views, it’s crucial to consider how your content will look on smaller screens.

In my experience, sometimes the simplest solution is the best. For instance, I often prefer to keep the columns side-by-side on mobile, even if it means slightly smaller text. This approach maintains the visual structure of the page across all devices.

However, every website is different, and what works for one might not work for another. It’s always a good idea to test your website on various devices to ensure a consistent and pleasant user experience.

Alternative Approaches

While the method I’ve described works well, there are other ways to achieve similar results. For instance, you could use the Separator block or custom HTML to create vertical lines. These methods might be more suitable depending on your specific needs and the overall design of your website.

If you’re comfortable with more advanced techniques, you might want to explore creating reusable blocks in WordPress. This can be particularly useful if you find yourself frequently adding vertical lines between columns.

Conclusion

Adding vertical lines between columns in Gutenberg is a simple yet effective way to enhance your WordPress content. It’s a technique that doesn’t require any plugins or complex coding, making it accessible even for those new to WordPress.

Remember, the key to successful web design is finding the right balance between aesthetics and functionality. While vertical lines can improve the visual appeal of your content, make sure they’re enhancing, not hindering, the user experience.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment. WordPress is incredibly flexible, and there’s often more than one way to achieve a desired result. Keep exploring, keep learning, and most importantly, have fun with it!

How to reduce plugins reliance in WordPress is another topic you might find interesting if you’re looking to optimize your WordPress site. It’s all about making the most of WordPress’s built-in features and minimizing the need for additional plugins.

Happy WordPress editing!