Master this essential documentation concept
Modular content elements in document editors that can contain different types of content like text, images, headers, or databases
Blocks represent a fundamental shift in how documentation is created and managed, moving away from traditional linear document structures to modular, component-based content creation. This approach allows documentation professionals to build documents using discrete, reusable elements that can contain various content types.
When creating documentation about modular content systems, your team likely records training videos showing how blocks work in your document editors. These videos demonstrate how users can build pages by combining text blocks, image blocks, database blocks, and other modular elements.
However, video demonstrations of blocks often become outdated quickly as interfaces change, and finding specific information about particular block types requires scrubbing through lengthy recordings. A 30-minute training video might cover dozens of different blocks with no easy way to reference just the ones relevant to a specific task.
Converting these videos into documentation transforms this knowledge into a more usable format where each block can be documented in its own modular section. The conversion process automatically identifies when different blocks are being discussed in videos and structures this information into searchable documentation. This allows your team to create a comprehensive block library that users can reference instantly, rather than rewatching entire videos to find information about a specific block type.
With properly documented blocks, users can quickly find exactly what they need through search rather than scrubbing through video timelines, making your modular content system much more accessible.
Development teams struggle with inconsistent API documentation formats across different endpoints, leading to confusion and poor developer experience.
Create standardized blocks for API endpoints including request/response examples, parameter tables, and authentication requirements that can be reused across all API documentation.
1. Design template blocks for endpoint structure, 2. Create reusable parameter table blocks, 3. Build code example blocks for different programming languages, 4. Establish authentication and error handling blocks, 5. Train team on block usage standards
Consistent API documentation format, 60% faster documentation creation, improved developer adoption, and easier maintenance of documentation updates.
Software companies with multiple products need to document similar features across different products without duplicating content creation efforts.
Develop feature-specific blocks that can be customized and reused across different product documentation while maintaining consistent structure and messaging.
1. Identify common features across products, 2. Create flexible feature blocks with customizable parameters, 3. Build product-specific styling and branding blocks, 4. Establish content governance for block updates, 5. Create approval workflows for block modifications
50% reduction in documentation creation time, improved feature consistency across products, streamlined updates, and better cross-product user experience.
Organizations need to maintain compliance documentation that frequently changes due to regulatory updates while ensuring consistency across all related documents.
Create compliance-specific blocks for regulations, procedures, and requirements that can be centrally updated and automatically reflected across all relevant documentation.
1. Map regulatory requirements to specific blocks, 2. Create approval workflows for compliance block changes, 3. Implement version control for regulatory updates, 4. Build audit trail functionality, 5. Establish automated compliance checking
Guaranteed compliance consistency, 70% faster regulatory update implementation, improved audit readiness, and reduced compliance risk.
HR and training teams need to create personalized onboarding documentation for different roles, departments, and experience levels without creating entirely separate documents.
Build role-specific and department-specific blocks that can be dynamically combined to create personalized onboarding experiences for new employees.
1. Analyze onboarding needs by role and department, 2. Create modular blocks for different topics and skill levels, 3. Build conditional logic for block display, 4. Implement user profiling for automatic personalization, 5. Create feedback loops for continuous improvement
Personalized onboarding experience, 40% improvement in new employee satisfaction scores, reduced training time, and scalable onboarding process.
Consistent naming conventions ensure team members can quickly identify and locate the right blocks for their documentation needs, improving efficiency and reducing confusion.
Clear guidelines help maintain consistency across your documentation and ensure blocks are used appropriately by all team members, regardless of their experience level.
Version control at the block level allows teams to track changes, revert problematic updates, and maintain documentation integrity across multiple documents.
Creating blocks with reusability in mind maximizes their value and reduces long-term maintenance overhead while improving content consistency.
Ongoing maintenance of your block library ensures it remains useful, current, and aligned with your organization's evolving documentation needs.
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