What is markdown and why should use in Airtable?

Markdown is a lightweight syntax for formatting text and can be used in Airtable to call attention to specific information, structure content, and improve readability across multiple surfaces.

Where you can use Markdown in Airtable

You can use Markdown in the following areas:

• Base guides—create a stylized description for your base

• Long text field with rich text formatting enabled—see Formatting rich text in the long text field for syntax options

• Web clipper extension—any Markdown added before submitting a clip will be included in long text fields with rich text formatting

• Airtable Automations—format content in actions like sending emails

• Airtable API—see Markdown rich text output in the API for examples

Markdown syntax reference

Not all Markdown syntax works in every area. The table below shows which syntax options are available in each product area.

Note

In long text fields with rich text enabled, you must enter Markdown directly into Airtable. Copied-and-pasted text isn’t recognized as Markdown syntax.

¹ Include a space between and after the brackets [ ] for the checkbox to render. This is especially important when using the API.

² You can't create indented list items via Markdown in long text fields. Instead, press Return and then Tab after a list item to indent.

³ In long text fields, type 3 backticks and press Return to start a code block. Click off the "Code block" option in the rich text menu to end it.

⁴ The API creates extra escape characters when pulling data out. Re-inserting this output into Airtable won't effectively escape the Markdown formatting.

Syntax options

Headings

A line starting with 1–3 # characters followed by a space creates a heading.

# First level heading
## Second level heading
### Third level heading

Bold and italic

Surround text with * or _ for italic, and ** or __ for bold. You can combine them for bold italic.

*This text will be italic*
_This will also be italic_

**This text will be bold**
__This will also be bold__

_**Combine them for bold italic**_

Strikethrough

Surround text with ~~ for strikethrough. This isn't supported in base descriptions.

~~This text will be strikethrough~~

Checkbox

Start a line with [ ] or [x] to create a checkbox list.

[x] Checked item 1
[ ] Unchecked item 2
    [x] Subitem 1
    [ ] Subitem 2

Unordered list

Use - or * as list markers.

- Item 1
- Item 2
    * Indented item 1
    * Indented item 2

Ordered list

Start a line with a number and period to create a numbered list.

1. Item 1
2. Item 2
    1) Item 2a
    2) Item 2b

Hyperlinks

You can create inline links or reference links:

• Inline link—[Link text](URL) specifies the URL inline

• Reference link—[Link text][label] references a link definition placed elsewhere in the text as [label]: URL

[Airtable](https://airtable.com) is awesome.
[Link reference][1] also works.

[1]: https://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax#link

Blockquotes

Start a line with > followed by your content. This isn't supported in base descriptions.

> Roses are red
> Violets are blue

Inline code

Surround text with backticks for inline code formatting.

`apiKey` is your secret API token.

Code blocks

Surround code with 3 or more backticks (`) or tildes (~). The closing fence must match the opening fence type and have at least as many characters.

```
tell application "Microsoft Excel"
    quit
end tell
```

Escaping Markdown formatting

Use a backslash (\) before any Markdown character to prevent formatting.

\*This text won't be italic\*

Line breaks

Every line break is treated as a hard line break. This differs from standard Markdown behavior.

Multiple line breaks

Use the <br> HTML tag for multiple line breaks when sending emails through Airtable Automations.

Line 1
<br>
<br>
Line 2

FAQs