WYSIWYG definition: How it works and benefits

“What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) is a design concept where the content displayed during editing appears exactly as it'll when finished. WYSIWYG editors allow you to see how your work looks in real-time. For example, MS Word is a WYSIWYG editor as it displays what the document will look like when printed.

Originally popularised in the 1970s, this approach changed how people who couldn’t code could engage with design to create visually polished content. Simply put, WYSIWYG editors allow editing without needing to understand HTML or other programming languages.

The concept of WYSIWYG dates back to IBM in the 1960s, with developments accelerating through the 1970s as personal computers became more accessible.

The Xerox PARC centre was instrumental in pioneering WYSIWYG by creating the Alto computer, which used graphical user interfaces and introduced mouse-based navigation.

By the 1980s, Apple and Microsoft started using WYSIWYG for consumer software like Word and Excel, which led to the growth of user-friendly software.

This period marked the shift from command-line interfaces to graphical ones, putting WYSIWYG at the forefront of modern computing.

WYSIWYG editors democratised content creation by making design accessible to anyone with a computer. They have significantly impacted industries like publishing and web design by simplifying tasks such as text formatting, image placement‌ and colour selection.

For non-coders, WYSIWYG eliminates the need to hire technical help for simple tasks. The convenience and intuitive nature of WYSIWYG interfaces have made them essential tools in business and education‌, facilitating effective digital communication across the board.

Mechanics of editing content visually

WYSIWYG editors use visual feedback loops where changes are immediately seen. This lets users change content visually. Behind the scenes, these editors generate code‌ — ‌often HTML, CSS‌ or JavaScript‌ — ‌in real-time as users interact with visual elements like text boxes, buttons and images.

The interface translates these adjustments into the underlying code, making sure that the final output matches what is seen during editing.

Understanding the relationship between design and functionality

In WYSIWYG editors, functionality is integrated with design, which allows users to add interactive elements without complex programming knowledge. For instance, embedding a video or linking to a website is as simple as dragging or clicking on icons.

However, achieving this balance can be challenging. WYSIWYG tools must make sure that user edits translate accurately into code that works across different devices and screen sizes.

Examples of real-time editing features

WYSIWYG editors offer a variety of real-time features that enhance usability:

• Drag-and-drop elements - this allows you to easily rearrange elements like text, images‌ and buttons on a page
• Responsive design previews - you can switch between desktop and mobile views to see how content will appear on different devices
• Style adjustments - you can instantly modify fonts, colours, borders‌ and alignments
• Live links and embeds - this allows you to add and test hyperlinks, videos and multimedia content within the editing window

Now that you know what WYSIWYG is, we can get into its benefits and challenges 👇

Benefits of immediate visual feedback while editing

One of the greatest strengths of WYSIWYG editors is the immediate visual feedback they provide. This feedback reduces the trial-and-error aspect of coding, as users see how changes will appear in real-time.

Users can focus on creating high-quality content without distractions from technical details, enabling faster turnaround times for projects and reducing the need for specialised training.

Challenges faced by users

While WYSIWYG editors make design easier, they may also limit creative control and customisation for users who lack coding experience.

Advanced developers sometimes find WYSIWYG-generated code cumbersome or "bloated" due to unnecessary tags or inline styling.

Additionally, heavy reliance on WYSIWYG can discourage users from learning code, potentially limiting their skills in more complex projects.

User scenarios highlighting successful WYSIWYG applications

There are many situations where WYSIWYG editors find their use:

• Small business owners - an online store owner can create a visually appealing website using a WYSIWYG editor without hiring a developer, saving both time and money
• Educators and students - WYSIWYG editors allow teachers to create interactive presentations and help students develop content creation skills
• Marketing teams - marketing professionals can quickly design landing pages and email campaigns. This lets them launch new promotions and track results without delay.

Upcoming trends in WYSIWYG editors

User interface (UI) design trends are evolving, and WYSIWYG editors are adapting to keep up. With the increasing use of dark modes, adaptive layouts‌ and micro-interactions, WYSIWYG editors are incorporating these elements to stay current. There's also a growing demand for collaboration in design tools, leading WYSIWYG platforms to integrate real-time editing features for teams.

Predictions for changes in user needs and expectations

User expectations for WYSIWYG editors are rising. As digital literacy improves, users seek more customisation, intuitive interfaces‌ and tools that cater to specific industry needs. In the future, WYSIWYG editors may prioritise:

• Greater customisation - balancing ease of use with deeper customisation for experienced users.
• Enhanced collaboration - building on the remote work trend, WYSIWYG editors may evolve to support team-based workflows more effectively.
• Accessibility - ensuring that content created with WYSIWYG editors meets accessibility standards, making it inclusive for all audiences.