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I woke up far too early this morning as I was so excited about taking the new Divi 3.18 backend editing experience for a test drive.
I have to say, I am really impressed! I use the backend builder the majority of the time, but I also use the Visual Builder and Wireframe Mode on a daily basis, so I am very familiar with the layout and functionality of all three options.
What ET have done with this update, is to create a user experience that pulls all three of those options into a single, slick and elegant interface, containing all the added features of recent months, with the comfort and familiarity of the classic backend builder. Well done Team ET 😍
I checked Facebook before I updated Divi to see what everyone was saying and as expected, there was a plethora of posts about sites breaking and people not being able to access the backend builder at all anymore.
After playing with Divi 3.18 on both WordPress 4.9.8 and 5.0 for a few hours, I could understand the confusion and reason for a lot of those Facebook posts.
So I decided to create this overview video which shows you the new builder experience, and how to enable it whether you are using WordPress 4.9.8 or 5.0+
And that’s it!
If you found this helpful please leave a comment and subscribe to my newsletter for all my latest Divi related content. 
Michelle X
Hi Michelle,
the only conflict I have is that the front end builder hangs on the spinner. Any suggests? I tried to disable all the plugin’s and caching, but nada…
thanks!
Likely due to an outdated PHP version or values. You can check with ET Support and they can help.
Thanks so much Michelle, very useful info.
I’m hesitant to have my clients use the VB-old or new! How’s that gone for you? It seems like way more of a learning curve.
I don’t take clients, but I think if they are used to using the old backend builder, the new one is not that much of a change. It’s the same basic structure, but with way more cool features that make it easier to do the things they want.
The few clients I have shown it to had no reservations or problems using it. Mine only edit existing content, so as long as they can find the cog icon to edit, they’re happy.
I’ve had the classic editor plugin for a while now. Just updated Divi, and have the classic editor tuned on in Divi Options. Should I delete the classic editor plugin?
Yes, you only need it if you update WP and not Divi.
Very helpful! Thanks, Michelle!
Michelle, great video! Just one question, however, the bug in Divi 3.18 that you point out around minute 13:00. Why are you placing CSS in a code module in the first place? Why don’t you place it in the page’s advanced settings available in the Gear icon on the top level purple bar? I’m sure you’ve said it elsewhere before, but I’m curious. thanks!
Because page settings are not exported when you export a page layout
Great video, you answered a few questions I had.
Wish I could watch the video full screen.
Click the fullscreen icon in the bottom right corner when you hover the video
Thank you
That was a great walkthrought Michelle!
Extremely useful walk-through and explanation. Thank you! You saved my sanity.
I’m so confused. I try to use the divi builder and that semi-works, but when I try to use the default editor from WP it deletes everything.
Yes that is standard behaviour, the defualt editor doesn’t support Divi modules. You need to use one or the other per page.
This was super-helpful. Thank you so much, Michelle!
Thank you SO much, Michelle! Super helpful, and now I’m stoked about embracing these changes–all of them! Can’t wait to test out on client staging sites.
thanks – supernice
Very, very helpful – you are patient, clear and illustrative throughout. Thanks for putting this together.
I’ve updated. WP 5.0 & Divi 3.18.2
Now Divi builder doesn’t work. I use SSL. Divi loading wheel loops. Divi message time out! What can i do?
Sorry for my bad english!
Are you using Really Simple SSL plugin? There was an issue with this. Anyway, try updating and see if that fixes it, if not put in a support ticket to ET.
Thank you Michelle! I’ve been working on learning the new theme and WP 5.0 and of course I had to go over to your site to see if you had any tips! Of course you did! Thank you for this. Your explanation completed what I had started and I am ready to learn and go. Thank you for being such a valuable resource.
Totally saved me from freaking out about the mistakenly missing editor. You rock our socks off!
Very helpful, Michelle, thank you!! This is the first article I’ve read that actually helped me understand what the Builder would look like with the dates. I feel slightly less annoyed by the whole thing now.
So clear and to the point, thank you! I’m still working with “just enough” knowledge of Divi to get by on my one site so easily get overwhelmed, so thank you for this concise explanation and letting me see what the changes were before I do them!
Very useful video – after updating divi and WP, and launching a new page, I was almost at the point of “can’t be bothered with this change!” – but now you have explained it, I think I can handle it lol.
Great video. Thank you so much for putting together!
Thank you Michelle. This was a great help in building out our upgrade strategy. We have about 50 sites to update and this will help smooth out and speed up the process.
Thanks again,
Ben
p.s. Loving Flywheel
Very good instructions.
Thanks a lot.
Great video Michelle. Thank you. I couldn’t sleep this morning too, but instead of playing with new WP and Divi I watched your video
– very helpful.
Very helpful! Thanks Michelle.
Great tutorial, Michelle. Thanks!
Great Video and very helpful indeed. My problem is that I have over 100+ sites out there and all on managed wordpress so they will update automatically to WordPress 5.0 before I can get to them to update Divi to 318.2. And because of that I also can’t take your suggestion of waiting before updating to WP5.0
I only wish I could.
Thanks for this. I had a quick look last night on a staging site with existing content and nothing worked so I thought I’d be spending my weekend and next week modifying everything. Now I can take a more phased approach and stop my clients from panicking!
THANK YOU SO MUCH MICHELLE! SO APPRECIATED!!
Thank you, Michelle! This is fantastic.
Wow, wow, wow!!! What a timesaver. Thank you so much for your great Video. I am one of the dinos working with the backend version, always missing some features from visual builder. And now this. The VB in the Backend. Absolutely great. And thank you for tellinig all the problems with the plugins. I will wait updating my client sites. I have very complex shops made with divi und a woo-plugin from divi kingdom. So let´s see what comes next. But till now DIVI is still a great choice.
Hey Michelle great video :)!!
I really appreciate all your informations :)!
Thanks a lot.
Thank you so much for this video! Very enlightening!
You were faster than me. I was gonna do a video just like this today, but then you popped up in my inbox and you spared me the trouble.
So I shared your video instead, just because it is so useful, complete and serene. Thank you, dear. Great job!
FYI, the plans page on your site is broken. https://mrsdivi.com/hosting
gives a 404
actually several other broken pages too
Yes, I am in the middle of redesigning it. That is why the 404 says it’s a WIP.
Thanks Michelle – this is so helpful
Thanks for taking the time to make this Michelle. I found it helpful and reassuring.
Hi Michelle,
There was I, thinking I need some caution and advice before diving into 3.18 and WP 5.0, and up you pop with ALL the answers. Big, big, thank you. I’ll be doing exactly as you suggest with my sites.
I was using Divi like you, primarily in the back-end builder, and doing minor text edits in the VB. This new modified interface looks a big step, but got to do it, I reckon.
You mention poss. conflict with Really Simple SSL, can you give any detail on that?
Do appreciate the time you’ve given to producing the video,
Thanks again,
Robin
Hey Robin
I believe the issue was some kind of error when the backend used SSL but the frontend didn’t (or vice versa) but I think it is fixed now anyway
Nice vid Michelle, I’m waiting a little while too before updating everything.
Thanks for sharing your testings Michelle! It make me feel more prepared for Gutenberg with Divi.
Brilliant!
Thank you thank you thank you, Michelle! You have inspired me to update Divi!
Thank you Michelle!!!!!!! This video was very helpful.