The WordPress media library holds every picture and file on your website. Open it from Media > Library in the left menu. From there you can view, sort, edit and delete your files.
What the media library is
If you create posts or pages in WordPress and need to add a picture, you need to know how to use the media library. It contains all of the images that you add to your website.
Over the years, we have tried separate media folders. We found the media library is more convenient for reaching all of your website pictures.
You find it on every WordPress website under the Media menu.
How to open and browse the library
Log in at yourdomain.com/wp-admin, then follow these steps.
Open the Media menu
Hover over Media in the sidebar on the left-hand side of the screen.
Click Library
When the sub-menu opens, click Library. You see every image used in posts and pages, plus anything you uploaded.
Pick a view
At the top, choose a grid or a list display. Pick the view that makes the pictures on your site easiest to find.
Sort your files
On the same bar, sort the media by type or by date.
Click a file
Click any file to see its details. Use the arrows at the top right to move through the files.
What you can store
You can add more than pictures. The library also takes PDFs, documents such as Microsoft Word files, audio files and video files.
You can reuse any file in later pages or posts. You do not need to upload the same picture twice.
Use clear file names before you upload, such as omaha-office-front.jpg. A good name helps you search later. Keep pictures small so your pages load fast.
Edit and delete files
The details screen holds the editing tools.
Edit information
Change the title, caption, alt text and description on the details screen. Alt text describes the picture for people who cannot see it.
Edit the image
Click the Edit Image button in the lower-left area of the picture. Here you can resize and make other changes.
Check the attachment page
In the lower-right area, click View Attachment Page to see the file previewed on your site. Next to it, Edit More Details opens an alternative editing page.
Delete one file
Click Delete Permanently to remove the file from your library. This cannot be undone.
Delete several files
Click Bulk Select in the top bar, click each item, then click Delete Selected.
Common mistakes
Deleting a picture that a page still uses leaves a broken image on that page. Check where a file is used before you delete it.
Uploading a huge photo straight from a phone slows your site. Resize it first. A picture about 1200 pixels wide is plenty for most pages.
Leaving the alt text blank is another slip. Take ten seconds to describe each picture.
If you need help with your website design, contact our Omaha web design and web hosting company. Call 402-813-4034 any day from 7 am to 10 pm.
A new website with up to five pages plus a contact page is $300, built in 3 to 5 days. You can also use our contact form.
AboutRod and Tami Atwood
Rod and Tami Atwood and other Websnoogie contributors write the Websnoogie blog. Rod has built websites since 2004 and founded Websnoogie, LLC in Omaha in 2012. Tami is co-owner, content editor and billing expert. Call us at 402-813-4034 or write to staff@websnoogie.com.
