Markdown Simplifies Formatting Your DW Posts

[jesse_the_k]

Markdown is a minimal way to format your text. The goal is to use "natural" formats, similar to email. Software that understands Markdown translates it to HTML. Markdown is much easier--and more forgiving--than HTML. This post has the markdown you'll use the most. The rest of the features are explored later.

The full spec is hosted by its creator, Jon Gruber https://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax

Using Markdown Here at Dreamwidth

Markdown is welcome everywhere except in subject lines. You can use it for posts, comments, email posts.

Markdown is a silent feature inside Dreamwidth's HTML editor. You turn it on by making the first line of the post:

!markdown

Now Dreamwidth interprets any Markdown you type. By definition, Markdown includes HTML, so you can also use HTML to format your post—for Dreamwidth cuts, image embeds, and any other HTML task.

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Bold, strong, italic, emphasis

Begin and end text with either _ underscore or * asterisk

Use ONE for emphasis aka italic

Use TWO for strong aka bold

Markdown:

The *rain* in _Spain_ falls *mainly* on _the Plain_. I **‌think** she's __got it__, she's **‌finally** got __IT__!

Displays as:

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the Plain. I ‌think she's got it, she's ‌finally got IT!

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DW usernames

Prefix the account with an "@" sign

@jesse_the_k ⇒ jesse_the_k

@access_fandom ⇒ access_fandom

@dw_news ⇒ dw_news

Usernames elsewhere

For other sites, use the format @username.site

Some examples:

@jesse_the_k.ao3 ⇒ jesse_the_k

@jesse-the-k.tumblr ⇒ jesse-the-k

@jesse_the_k.twitter ⇒ jesse_the_k

see DW FAQ 87 for all the supported sites

ETA: I originally had this wrong--thanks to bluewinged_songbird and syntheid for setting me straight!

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Lists

Markdown:

Bullet lists begin and end with a blank line

- then any number of lines that
- begin with a hyphen 
    - and a space 
- like this one

must have a blank line to turn off the list

Displays as:

Bullet lists begin and end with a blank line

• then any number of lines
• that begin with a hyphen
• and a space
• like this one

must have a blank line to turn off the list

---

Numbered lists (called ordered lists <ol> in HTML) use digits instead of hyphens. The presence of a digit and a period is what does it:

Markdown:

must have a blank line

4. then any number of lines
1. that begin with a digit and  
290. then a period, like this one
2. and this one
2. and so on

must have a blank line to turn off numbering

displays as:

must have a blank line

1. then any number of lines
2. that begin with a digit and
3. then a period, like this one
4. and this one
5. and so on

must have a blank line to turn off numbering

The value of the number doesn't matter, and the list always starts at 1!

Horizontal rule

Three or more asterisks, with blank line before & after. Markdown:

***

Displays as:

---

[ETA: this also works with hyphens, but hyphens will end your post early when you're replying or posting by email]

LINKS

Inline

Write your link text (aka anchor) in square brackets immediately followed by the URL in parentheses.

Markdown:

The source repository is located at [Dreamwidth's GitHub Repositories](https://github.com/dreamwidth/).

Displays as:

The source repository is located at Dreamwidth's GitHub Repositories.

Go bare

Enclose URLs and email addresses within angle brackets and they're clickable

<https://example.com> ⇒ https://example.com/

<address@example.com> ⇒ address@example.com

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CODE SAMPLES

Surround code with ` backtick

Markdown: Remember to turn on this feature by beginning your post or email with `!markdown` followed by a blank line.

Displays as: Remember to turn on this feature by beginning your post or email with !markdown followed by a blank line.

Comments

[capri0mni]

Thank you! I will be signal boosting.

I think this will help make the Tumblr refugees more at ease.

(I was not planning on a rhyme...)

But I love it when you

[jesse_the_k]

rhyme, or assonate, or .... whatever.

Re: But I love it when you

[capri0mni]

Heh!