Using Medium Editor

The Medium Editor provides a distraction-free writing experience inspired by Medium.com. It’s perfect for writers who want to focus on their content without a cluttered interface.

What You’ll Learn

  • How the inline toolbar works
  • Available formatting options
  • Tips for writing with Medium Editor

Enabling Medium Editor

  1. Go to Member Blog → Settings → Editor
  2. Select Medium Editor
  3. Click Save Changes

How It Works

Unlike traditional editors with visible toolbars, Medium Editor shows formatting options only when you need them:

Medium Editor interface
  1. Start typing – Just click and write
  2. Select text – Highlight the text you want to format
  3. Toolbar appears – A floating toolbar shows above your selection
  4. Click to format – Choose your formatting option
  5. Keep writing – Toolbar disappears when you click away

Formatting Options

When you select text, the floating toolbar shows these options:

OptionWhat It Does
BMake text bold
IMake text italic
Link iconAdd a hyperlink
H1/H2Convert to heading
QuoteCreate blockquote

Creating Your Post

Step 1: Add Your Title

Type your post title in the title field at the top.

Step 2: Start Writing

Click in the content area and start typing. The clean interface lets you focus on your words.

Step 3: Format as Needed

  1. Write your content first
  2. Go back and select text to format
  3. Use the floating toolbar to apply formatting

Step 4: Add Links

  1. Select the text you want to link
  2. Click the link icon in the toolbar
  3. Paste your URL
  4. Press Enter

Best Practices

Write First, Format Later

Medium Editor encourages a “write first” approach. Get your thoughts down, then go back to add formatting. This keeps you focused on your message.

Keep It Simple

The limited formatting options are intentional. Focus on:

  • Clear, readable paragraphs
  • Strategic use of bold for emphasis
  • Headings to break up sections
  • Quotes for important callouts

Use Headings Wisely

Use headings to create structure in longer posts. Select your heading text and choose H2 or H3 from the toolbar.

When to Use Medium Editor

Great for:

  • Writing-focused communities
  • Personal blogs and journals
  • Story-based content
  • Members who find other editors overwhelming

May not be ideal for:

  • Posts requiring complex formatting
  • Content with many embedded images
  • Technical documentation

Troubleshooting

Toolbar not appearing:

  • Make sure you’re selecting text by clicking and dragging
  • Check browser JavaScript is enabled
  • Try a different browser

Formatting not applying:

  • Select text first, then click the formatting button
  • Clear browser cache and try again

Related Docs

  • Editor Settings Overview
  • Using Editor.js
  • Using TinyMCE Classic Editor
Last updated: January 18, 2026