What’s changing
In Google Docs, you can now select “Automatically detect Markdown” from Tools > Preferences to enable auto correcting for Markdown syntax, a lightweight markup language for applying formatting using plain text. Currently, Google Docs supports some Markdown syntax, such as:
- * or – followed by a space autocorrects to bullet points
- Various ways to start a numbered list similar to Markdown
- [] followed by a space autocorrects to checkboxes
The expanded support will now support autocorrection for:
- Headings
- Italic and bold
- Bold + italic
- Strikethrough
- Links
Who’s impacted
End users
Why you’d use it
With this added support, you can create rich text documents faster without having to learn keyboard shortcuts.
Getting started
- Admins: There is no admin control for this feature
- End users: This feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled by the user in Docs under Tools > Preferences. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Markdown autocorrection on or off for your account.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 29, 2022
Availability
- Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customer Available to users with personal Google Accounts