Using Markdown in Google Docs™ and Slides™ for Text, Lists & Tables (Docs Only)

Markdown is a popular lightweight markup language that uses plain text formatting syntax. Google Workspace™ allows you to leverage Markdown directly within Google Docs™ and Google Slides™, enabling faster formatting, especially while you are typing.

This guide explains how to enable this feature, what Markdown syntax is supported for auto-formatting as you type, how to paste pre-written Markdown content, and highlights a key difference for table formatting between Docs™ and Slides™.

Enabling Automatic Markdown Detection (Crucial for Auto-Formatting While Typing)

To have Google Docs™ and Slides™ automatically recognize and format Markdown syntax as you type, you must first enable the feature in your preferences. This single setting applies across both Docs™ and Slides™.

1. Open Google Docs™ or Google Slides™ Start with any document or presentation (or create a new one).

2. Go to Preferences Navigate to the menu bar and select Tools > Preferences.

3. Enable Markdown Detection In the Preferences window (under the ‘General’ tab), find the checkbox labeled “Automatically detect Markdown” and make sure it is checked.

4. Click OK Save the setting by clicking the “OK” button.

Note

Enabling this preference is the key to unlocking automatic formatting. Without it checked, typing Markdown syntax will just result in plain text.

How Formatting Works: Typing vs. Pasting

Understanding the difference between typing and pasting is key:

• Typing: If you have enabled “Automatically detect Markdown” in Tools > Preferences, then as you type recognized Markdown syntax (e.g., typing **bold** followed by a space), the text (“bold” in this case) will be automatically formatted.

• Pasting: Simply pasting a block of Markdown text (using Ctrl+V or Cmd+V) does not automatically apply the formatting, regardless of the preference setting. To apply Markdown formatting to pasted text, you must use the specific “Paste from Markdown” command:

  • Right-click in your document/slide where you want to paste, and select “Paste from Markdown” from the context menu.
  • Or, go to the main menu: Edit > “Paste from Markdown”.

Supported Markdown Syntax (Docs™ & Slides™)

The following Markdown syntax is recognized:

• For automatic formatting while typing (requires the preference to be enabled).

• When using the “Paste from Markdown” command.

• Headings: # H1 through ###### H6 (type and press Enter)

• Italics: *text* or _text_ (type and press Space/Enter)

• Bold: **text** or __text__ (type and press Space/Enter)

• Bold + Italics: ***text*** or ___text___ (type and press Space/Enter)

• Strikethrough: ~text~ or ~~text~~ (type and press Space/Enter)

• Links: [Link text](https://www.example.com) (recognized automatically when typed or pasted via “Paste from Markdown”, but not while typing)

• Bulleted Lists: Start a line with * or - followed by a space.

• Numbered Lists: Start a line with 1. or 1) followed by a space.

• Checkboxes: Start a line with [] or [x] followed by a space (creates interactive checkboxes).

Example: Mixed Markdown Content (Paste using “Paste from Markdown”)

Copy the block below. To apply the formatting in Google Docs™ or Slides™, right-click and choose “Paste from Markdown”:

# Heading 1 Example
This is paragraph text under H1.

## Heading 2 Example
This is paragraph text under H2, featuring *italics*.

### Heading 3 Example
This is paragraph text under H3, featuring **bold text** and some ~~strikethrough~~ text. You can also combine ***bold and italics***.

Here's a link: [Visit TextToTableConverter.com](https://www.texttotableconverter.com/)

#### Other Formatting Examples (H4)

- This is a bullet point
- Another bullet point
- A nested bullet point

1. First numbered item
2. Second numbered item
 1. Nested numbered item

[] A to-do checkbox
[x] A completed checkbox

The Big Difference: Markdown Tables (Google Docs™ Only!)

This is a crucial distinction:

• Google Docs™: Supports conversion of Markdown tables into formatted tables when using “Paste from Markdown”. (Automatic table formatting while typing syntax like |---|---| is less consistent and generally not the recommended way).
• Google Slides™: Does NOT support conversion for Markdown tables, neither while typing nor via “Paste from Markdown”.

Tables in Google Slides™

Attempting to “Paste from Markdown” with table syntax in Google Slides™ will not create a formatted table. The text will paste as plain text. You must create tables in Slides™ using the standard Insert > Table menu.

Example: Markdown Table (Works via “Paste from Markdown” Only in Google Docs™)

Copy the Markdown table code below. To convert it into a table, you must paste it into Google Docs™ using Right-click > “Paste from Markdown” (or Edit > Paste from Markdown). It will not work in Google Slides™.

| Header 1    | Header 2    | Header 3    |
|-------------|-------------|-------------|
| Row 1, Col 1| Row 1, Col 2| Row 1, Col 3|
| Row 2, Col 1| Row 2, Col 2| Row 2, Col 3|
| Row 3, Col 1| Row 3, Col 2| Row 3, Col 3|

Conclusion

Leveraging Markdown in Google Docs™ and Google Slides™ can significantly speed up your workflow. Remember to enable “Automatically detect Markdown” in Tools > Preferences for seamless formatting while typing. For pasting pre-written Markdown content (including tables in Docs™), always use the “Paste from Markdown” command (via right-click or the Edit menu). Keep in mind that automatic table creation from Markdown is exclusive to Google Docs™ and requires this specific paste method.