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To use Markdown in Google Docs on a computer, turn it on under Tools > Preferences > Enable Markdown. You can then type supported syntax for headings, emphasis, strikethrough, and links. Docs also lets you paste Markdown as formatted content, import a Markdown file, copy content out as Markdown, or edit an existing .md file in Drive. These options have different results: some create Google Docs content, while editing an existing file keeps it as Markdown.

Turn on Markdown in Google Docs

  1. Open a document on a computer in Google Docs.
  2. Choose Tools > Preferences.
  3. Tick Enable Markdown, then select OK.

To turn the preference off, return to Tools > Preferences and untick Enable Markdown. Google documents these instructions for Docs, Slides, and Drawings. See Google’s Markdown feature guide.

Write with supported Markdown syntax

Use the following syntax in a paragraph. For headings, put the markers at the start of the paragraph, followed by a space.

Formatting Markdown to type Example
Heading One to six # characters, then a space ## My Header creates a level-two heading
Italic One * or _ on each side *italic* or _italic_
Bold Two * or _ characters on each side **bold** or __bold__
Bold italic Three * characters on each side ***bold italic***
Strikethrough One ~ on each side ~removed text~
Link [link text](URL), with no space between ] and ( [Google](https://www.google.com)

Google’s guide documents these formatting options; it does not establish how every Markdown extension or construct behaves. Do not assume that features such as tables, code blocks, or task lists will convert as expected.

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Choose the right way to bring Markdown into Docs

If you want formatted content in a Google Doc, paste or import Markdown. If you want to keep working with the Markdown file itself, open the existing .md file in Docs instead.

Workflow What you do Result
Paste Markdown Copy Markdown text, then right-click in a Google Doc and choose Paste from Markdown. Docs converts the pasted text to formatted document content.
Import a Markdown file In Docs, choose File > Open > Upload and select the file; or upload it to Drive, right-click it, and choose Open with > Google Docs. Imports the Markdown as Google Docs content.
Open an existing .md file Upload the file to Drive and open it in Docs. It remains an .md file in Drive and opens in Markdown mode; it is not converted to a Google Docs file.

For editing an existing file, Google also describes previewing Markdown in Drive, switching between Markdown and Preview, and collaborating with comments and sharing. See Google’s instructions for viewing and editing Markdown files.

Copy or download Markdown from Docs

  • Copy selected content: Select the content, right-click, and choose Copy as Markdown.
  • Download the document: Choose File > Download > Markdown (.md).

Google says you can export a document as Markdown for use in another application. These actions give you Markdown output; they are distinct from editing an existing .md file in Drive.

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What can change when you edit an existing .md file

Google warns that some formatting may change when editing a Markdown file in Docs:

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Google points to File > Version history as a way to restore the original. Consider whether these changes matter before using Docs to edit a Markdown file with formatting that must be preserved.

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