How to use Markdown in Google Docs

Markdown is probably the simplest way to format text. Thanks to this markup language, you can format text easily without having to learn HTML. 

How to enable and use Markdown in Google Docs

By default, the Markdown option is disabled in Google Docs. To enable this option:

1. Click Tools from the Menu.
2. Go to Preferences .
3. Select Enable Markdown and select OK .

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Once you enable this option, Google Docs will detect any Markdown you type and format the text accordingly. If you already have Markdown text, you can paste it into Google Docs by right-clicking in the empty space and selecting Paste from Markdown . You can also do the same from the Edit menu on the toolbar.

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Likewise, you can select text and copy it as Markdown from the right-click context menu or the Edit menu .

Using Markdown in Google Docs makes the writing process much more efficient. Note, however, that Docs converts your Markdown to formatted text and strips out the original syntax.

This means you won't see a separate preview mode - everything happens in Google Docs' default WYSIWYG view. If you want to edit Markdown directly, you're better off using a full Markdown editor.

Markdown elements are supported in Google Docs

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Google Docs supports most of the standard Markdown syntax you can use. Includes the following formatting options:

1. Bold and italic : You can bold and italicize text with single asterisks and double asterisks (or underscores), respectively. Add three asterisks that both bold and italicize the text.
2. Strikethrough : To strikethrough text, add a tilde on both sides.
3. Title : Add a pound sign before the text for the main title, two pound signs for subheadings, etc. Remember to leave a space after the number so that Google Docs can detect it.
4. List : You can use an asterisk or dash for each item in an unordered list. To create an ordered list, enter a period after the number.
5. Links : You can add links by anchor text in parentheses and URL in parentheses.

How to import and export Markdown files in Google Docs

Instead of copying or pasting Markdown text, you can import/export MD files into Google Docs.

To export any document as a Markdown file, choose File > Download > Markdown (.md) .

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Similarly, to import a file, click File > Open and select or upload the file you want to import. Alternatively, you can first upload the MD file to Google Drive. Then, find the file in the folder you uploaded the file to, then select the three-dot icon > Open With > Google Docs .

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Jessica Tanner

Update 05 August 2024