Do I need special software to write Markdown?

No. Markdown is plain text, so you can write it in any plain-text editor, such as Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS. Files commonly use the .md extension, but you can use any extension.

Will Markdown formatting work everywhere?

The basic syntax (headings, bold, italic, lists, links, code) works in most Markdown processors. Some extensions, like tables and task lists, are part of GitHub Flavored Markdown and may not work in every tool.

How do I create a line break without a new paragraph?

End a line with two spaces and then press Enter. This creates a soft line break in most Markdown implementations.

Can I use Markdown in email?

Some email clients support Markdown formatting, but many do not. You can still write Markdown in the email body, but the recipient will see the raw symbols unless their email client renders Markdown.

Markdown Basics: Formatting Plain Text With Symbols

Markdown is a way to format plain text using symbols, so the file stays readable as a .txt file even before it converts to rich text. This is your markdown cheat sheet: the symbols you type to create headings, bold, italic, lists, links, and code blocks. Learn the core syntax now. You will also see what markdown is and how it differs from a traditional rich text editor. The result is a plain text formatting syntax that works in any text editor. Use it anywhere, from a local notepad to a code comment.

What Markdown is

John Gruber created Markdown with Aaron Swartz, releasing it in 2004. It is a plain text formatting syntax that lets you add structure to text without a toolbar or a mouse. You type symbols like #, *, and []() directly. The file remains a plain .txt file. It opens in any text editor. Open it in a program that understands Markdown, and those symbols become formatted headings, bold, italic, and links.

That simplicity is why Markdown dominates notes, documentation, and writing that must stay portable. Files use the .md extension, but you can write Markdown in any plain-text editor. CommonMark is a standardised specification. GitHub Flavored Markdown extends it with tables and task lists. For everyday writing, the basic syntax described here is all you need.

Plain Text Vs. Rich Text

Plain text means characters only: letters, numbers, punctuation, and spaces. No fonts. No colors. No images embedded in the file. Rich text formats store formatting instructions inside the file. Open one in a plain text editor and you get gibberish. Markdown keeps everything in plain text, so you can always read the raw content. The formatting symbols stay visible as you type. **Bold** reads as bold text even before rendering. This matters for notes you want to keep for a long time. No special software is needed to read the file, ever.

Headings

Place one or more # symbols at the start of a line, followed by a space and the heading text. One # makes the largest heading. Two ## makes a level 2 heading. Go up to six # symbols for level 6.

Heading Examples

# My Title produces a level 1 heading.
## Section produces a level 2 heading.
### Subsection produces a level 3 heading.

Headings organize your document. Many tools use them to generate a table of contents automatically.

Bold and Italic

Wrap text with * or _ to make it bold or italic. For bold, use two symbols on each side: **bold** or __bold__. For italic, use one: *italic* or _italic_. Combine them: ***bold and italic***.

Formatting Examples

**important** becomes important.
*emphasized* becomes emphasized.
__also bold__ also becomes also bold.

The symbols stay visible in plain text. You always see where formatting starts and ends.

Lists

Start each line with -, *, or + followed by a space to create a bullet list. For a numbered list, start each line with 1. followed by a space. Nest lists by indenting sub-items with two spaces or a tab.

Bullet List Example

First item
Second item
- Sub-item (indented two spaces)
Third item

Numbered List Example

Step one
Step two
1. Step 2a (indented)
Step three

Lists handle outlining, steps, and any set of items.

Links and Code

To create a link, use square brackets for the link text followed by parentheses for the URL: [link text](https://example.com). The link text is visible. The URL stays hidden until you hover or click.

Wrap inline code in backticks: `code`. For a code block spanning multiple lines, put three backticks on a line before and after:

``` code line 1 code line 2 ```

The code keeps its exact formatting. No Markdown inside gets interpreted.

Quick Reference

Here is the syntax covered, for use as a markdown cheat sheet.

Heading: # Title, ## Section, ### Subsection
Bold: **bold** or __bold__
Italic: *italic* or _italic_
Bullet list: - item, * item, or + item
Numbered list: 1. item
Link: [text](url)
Inline code: `code`
Code block: three backticks on a line before and after the code

Write Markdown in any plain-text editor. It works with many applications. For a clean, private notepad that saves as you type and never uploads anything, practice these symbols at simpletext.ws.