Markdown Tools and Setup
Text editors with Markdown support
One of great things about Markdown is that you don't need specialized software to work with it. Any plain text editor will be fine. However, having tools that provide features like syntax highlighting and live preview can significantly improve your workflow.
Many popular text editors and IDEs provide excellent support for Markdown. Some popular options include:
Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a free, open-source code editor that offers excellent Markdown support through its built-in preview feature and extensions.
Key Features:
- Live preview (Ctrl+K V or Cmd+K V)- opens a preview sidebar, updated in real time.
- Lots of extensions for linting, extending the syntax, and much more.
- Syntax highlighting.
Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a lightweight, cross-platform text editor with good Markdown support through packages.
Key Features:
- Markdown syntax highlighting.
- Fast performance.
- Extend and add features using packages.
- Distraction-free mode.
Dedicated Markdown editors
For a more focused Markdown experience, consider these specialized applications:
Mark text
A free, open-source Markdown editor focused on speed and usability.
Key Features:
- Real-time preview.
- Multiple editing modes.
- Custom themes.
- Export options.
Obsidian
While primarily a note-taking app, Obsidian offers excellent Markdown support with a focus on linking documents.
Key Features:
- Support for custom CSS.
- Powerful plugins to extend.
- Knowledge graph visualization.
- Local file storage.
Other editors
Google Docs
Google Docs and Dropbox Paper are both excellent for collaborative writing, although they handle Markdown a bit differently. Google Docs doesn’t natively support Markdown, but you can use add-ons or conversion tools to work with Markdown content.
Key Features:
- No Native Markdown Support: Requires add-ons or conversion tools to work with Markdown.
- Robust Collaboration: Offers extensive real-time editing, commenting, and revision history.
- Rich Formatting Options: Provides a full suite of text formatting and integration with other Google Workspace tools.
Dropbox Paper
In contrast, Dropbox Paper offers built-in Markdown-like shortcuts, allowing you to quickly format text as you write. Both platforms provide real-time collaboration, making them great choices for teams looking to blend flexibility with streamlined formatting.
Key Features:
- Built-In Markdown Shortcuts: Features intuitive Markdown-like formatting for quick text styling.
- Streamlined Interface: Focuses on simplicity, making it easy to create and manage documents.
- Effective Collaboration: Supports real-time editing and task management for teams.
Testing your setup
To ensure your environment is properly set up:
- Open your chosen editor
- Create a new file named
markdown.md - Write a simple Markdown document to test formatting:
# Markdown test document
Hey, I am **bold**.
I am _italic_.
# Features
- Easy to learn.
- Convertible to other formats.
- Fast and efficient.
Preview the rendered document using your editor's preview feature.
If you can see the formatted output with headings, bold, italic text, and a bulleted list, you're ready to move onto the next lessons!