MARKDOWN
Learn to write and format documentation like a pro
WHAT IS MARKDOWN
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that lets you add formatting to plain text. Created by John Gruber in 2004, it's designed to be easy to read and write, then convert to HTML.
Plain Text Magic
Write in plain text, get formatted documents. No complex editors needed - just simple symbols like # for headers and * for emphasis.
Universal Format
Works in any text editor, on any device. Your files are future-proof because they're just text with simple formatting marks.
Instant Preview
Most modern tools show live previews as you type, making it easy to see your formatted output instantly.
WHY MARKDOWN
Markdown has become the industry standard for documentation:
- GitHub - All README files, issues, and pull requests support Markdown
- AI Tools - ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot use Markdown for formatting
- Stack Overflow - Questions and answers are formatted with Markdown
- Documentation Sites - Most modern docs are written in Markdown
Key Benefits: Readable as plain text • Version control friendly • Portable between platforms • Fast to write • Easy to learn
BASIC FORMATTING
Master these essential Markdown elements:
Headers
## H2 Header
### H3 Header
Emphasis
**bold** or __bold__
***bold italic***
Lists
- Another item
1. Ordered item
2. Another item
Tables
|----------|----------|
| Cell 1 | Cell 2 |
| Cell 3 | Cell 4 |
CODE & QUOTES
Advanced formatting for technical content:
Inline Code
Code Blocks
function hello() {
return "Hello World";
}
```
Blockquotes & Links
[Link text](https://example.com)
Task Lists
- [ ] Pending task
- [ ] Another todo