Markdown is a simple syntax that helps you create effects like bold, italics, and headers via text-to-HTML. You may notice it in the messages we leave in your Inbox. We first created this feature to help clients format their legal language as clearly as possible, but text formatting is a useful way to clarify your meaning in any context. Also, it's super fun!
In this example, you can see three types of headers, italics, an embedded image, and hyperlinks. Want to make fancy documents like this? Follow the steps below to get started with Markdown formatting!
Italics
Put an asterisk on either side of the word or phrases you'd like to italicize.
*I want this text to be italicized*
Bold
Put two asterisks on either side of the word or phrases you'd like to make strong.
**I want this text to be strong**
Headers and Styles
You can convert your text into six different styles and/or headers using hashtags. Just enter the number of hashtags and a space in front of your text. See the quick key below.
Line Breaks
A line break marks a separation between different areas of text, and can boost its readability. To create a line break, enter three dashes like so.
---
Bulleted Lists
Bullet lists are one of the most commonly used formatting options in professional writing. You can create a tasteful bulleted list using dashes next to the items.
### Nice Sub-Header Title
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
A list formatted like the one above will come out looking like this:
Embed Hyperlinks
Embedded hyperlinks are a cleaner and more efficient use of space when sharing links. To create an embedded hyperlink, put square brackets on either side of the word you want to use as the link, then put the link itself immediately afterwards in parentheses. See the example below.
What I wrote behind the scenes:
What end users see:
As you can see, the word "here" is my link and clicking it will take users to the collection I linked in the Terms of Service box.
Embed Images
Embedding an image rather than leaving a link allows you to smoothly provide illustrations to your instructions to help readers understand your content. Consider adding diagrams, screenshots, or even logos. Embedding an image follows the same pattern as a link, but with an exclamation point in front instead. The exclamation tells the computer that the link needs to be processed as an image.
First type an exclamation point, then a name for the image in square brackets (for your reference as you compose), then add the image link in parentheses.
What I wrote behind the scenes:
What users see:
Please note that the photo must live somewhere for you to embed it, so simply linking an image URL from the internet will not work. Instead, right-click on the image and select its link. This works on assets in Vault and elsewhere.
You can use Markdown in these areas of Vault: