Key takeaways
- To add a block, click a section in the Theme Editor, then click “Add block” at the bottom of the section settings.
- Available block types depend on the section - each section defines which blocks it supports.
- Blocks are the individual content items inside a section: text, images, buttons, icons, slides.
- Some sections have a maximum block limit - the “Add block” option disappears when the limit is reached.
- For block types your theme doesn’t support, Fudge can build custom sections from a plain English description.
Adding blocks is how you grow content inside a section - more feature items, more testimonials, more slides. Here’s exactly how to do it in the Shopify Theme Editor.
Why you can trust us
We’ve built and customised hundreds of Shopify storefronts. We also built Fudge - an AI storefront editor with a 5.0 rating on the Shopify App Store.
How to add a block to a Shopify section
- Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize.
- Navigate to the page containing the section you want to add a block to.
- In the left sidebar, click the section to select it and expand its settings.
- Scroll to the bottom of the section settings panel.
- Click Add block.
- A menu appears showing the available block types for that section. Click the block type you want to add.
- The new block appears in the sidebar and in the preview. Click into it to edit its content.
- Click Save when you’re done.
What block types are available?
Block types vary by section. Each section in your theme is built to support specific blocks. Examples:
| Section type | Typical block types available |
|---|---|
| Features grid | Feature item (icon, heading, text) |
| Slideshow | Slide (image, heading, button) |
| Testimonials | Testimonial (quote, name, rating) |
| Image with text | Button, text overlay |
| Product tabs | Tab (heading, content) |
If you don’t see the block type you need, that section doesn’t support it. Your options are to use a different section, or build a custom section.
Block limits
Many sections have a maximum number of blocks. For example, a three-column features section might cap at three feature blocks. A slideshow might allow up to ten slides.
When a section has reached its limit, the “Add block” button disappears. If you need more blocks than the section allows, you’d need a different section type or a custom implementation.
Adding blocks to specific section types
Adding slides to a slideshow
- Click the slideshow section in the sidebar.
- Click Add block > Slide.
- Set the image, heading, and button for the new slide.
- Reorder slides by dragging their drag handles in the sidebar.
Adding items to a features or benefits section
- Click the features section.
- Click Add block > Feature (or whatever the section calls it).
- Set the icon, heading, and description.
- Drag to reorder.
Adding buttons to a hero section
- Click the hero section.
- Click Add block > Button.
- Set the button label and link.
- Most hero sections support one or two buttons maximum.
What if there’s no “Add block” option?
Some sections don’t use a block-based structure. They have a fixed layout with a set number of content fields - no blocks to add or remove.
If you don’t see “Add block” in the section settings, the section has a fixed structure. To add more items, you’d need to either:
- Use a different section type that does support blocks.
- Build a custom section via code or Fudge.
When you need a block type the theme doesn’t offer
Shopify themes define what blocks each section supports. If you need a block type that doesn’t appear in the “Add block” menu, the theme doesn’t include it.
This is one of the most common limitations merchants hit. Common examples:
- A countdown timer block inside a hero section
- A product comparison table block
- A video block inside a features section
- A custom icon block in a testimonials section
For these, Fudge can build the block from a description. Tell Fudge what you need and where you need it - Fudge generates the Liquid code and adds it to your theme as a draft for you to review.
Quick recap
- Add a block: click section > scroll to bottom > “Add block” > choose type
- Block types are set by the section - you can only add what the section supports
- Reorder blocks by dragging their drag handles in the sidebar
- Remove a block by clicking it and choosing “Remove block” at the bottom of its settings
