Ckeditor disabled

Allows users to view and safely edit formatted text when they cannot use the field's stored text format, while preserving the original content and format until an accessible format is selected.

Features

Drupal normally prevents users from editing a formatted text field when they do not have permission to use the text format already stored with that field. It may replace the existing content with an access-denied message and hide the text format selector.

CKEditor Disabled provides a safer and more practical alternative:

• Keeps the existing formatted content visible in the text area.
• Displays the stored text format as a temporary “current format” option.
• Keeps the text area and CKEditor read-only while the inaccessible format is selected.
• Lists the text formats that the current user is allowed to use.
• Enables editing when the user selects an accessible text format.
• Preserves the original content and format if the form is saved without selecting another format.
• Saves the content using the newly selected format when an accessible format is chosen.
• Does not expose text formats that have been deleted or disabled.
• Preserves Drupal’s text format access checks and prevents unauthorized formats from being assigned through form submissions.

This module is useful when permissions or text format availability change after content has already been created. For example, an editor may need to review an existing CKEditor field without being allowed to use its original format, and then convert it to a format they are authorized to use.

The module supports Drupal’s text_textarea and text_textarea_with_summary widgets. It is intended primarily for formatted text fields using CKEditor, although its format-preserving behavior is implemented at the Drupal text-format widget level.

Post-Installation

Install and enable the module using Composer and Drush:

composer require drupal/ckeditor_disabled
drush en ckeditor_disabled

Alternatively, enable it from the Extend page in the Drupal administration interface.

The module has no configuration form and does not add a new content type, administration page, or text format. Once enabled, it works automatically with supported formatted text widgets.

When a user encounters a field whose stored text format is not available to them:

1. The existing content remains visible.
2. The stored format is shown as the current format and marked as unavailable to the user.
3. The field remains read-only until an accessible format is selected.
4. Selecting an allowed format enables the text area and CKEditor.
5. Saving without changing the format preserves the original value and format.
6. Saving after selecting an accessible format stores the content with the selected format.

The module only applies this behavior when the stored text format still exists and is enabled. It does not make deleted or disabled formats available again.

Additional Requirements

This module requires:

• Drupal 10 or Drupal 11.
• Drupal core’s Editor module.
• Drupal core’s Filter module.
• Drupal core’s Text module.

No external PHP libraries, JavaScript libraries, or third-party services are required. The module uses Drupal core’s editor, text-format, form, and JavaScript APIs.

Recommended modules/libraries

No additional modules or libraries are required.

For the best experience, use the module with Drupal core’s CKEditor integration and formatted text fields configured with the standard text_textarea or text_textarea_with_summary widgets.

Supporting this Module

No external funding links are currently provided.

Bug reports, feature requests, and contributions are welcome through the Drupal.org issue queue.

The source code is available on GitLab.

Community Documentation

Project page

Issue queue

Source code

No additional video walkthroughs, external documentation, or demo site are currently provided.