Notepad Introduces Enhanced Text Formatting and Markdown Support

Microsoft is rolling out new features for its basic text editor, Notepad, enhancing its capabilities significantly. The latest preview version showcases advanced text formatting options and support for Markdown, making Notepad a more robust text editing tool.

Available to users in the Windows 11 Insider program, particularly those subscribed to the 'Canary' and 'Dev' channels, the preview aims to expand Notepad's functionality. According to Microsoft's blog, one of the most notable updates is the integration of 'Lightweight Formatting' through Markdown, a lightweight markup language that allows users to format text elements easily, such as creating links or applying bold and italic styles.

The updated Notepad features a formatting toolbar at the top, which provides buttons for users to apply these formatting styles while writing or to selected text. Currently, Notepad supports bold and italic text, hyperlinks, simple lists, and headings. This marks a significant enhancement to what was previously a very basic text editing experience.

Users can easily remove any formatting they have applied with a single click, either through a button on the formatting toolbar or from the 'Edit' menu. Additionally, the 'View' menu allows users to toggle between the formatted view and the Markdown syntax view, with a convenient switch located in the status bar for quick access.

For those who prefer a simpler interface without the added formatting options, Microsoft has included a feature in the app settings that allows users to completely disable formatting capabilities.

The Markdown support is introduced with version 11.2504.50.0 of Notepad. However, it remains uncertain when or if these features will be made available in the general version of Notepad.

This update follows Microsoft's recent enhancements to various built-in applications, including Notepad and Paint, with the integration of artificial intelligence. The AI features in Notepad are designed to assist users in rephrasing sentences, altering the tone of text, and adjusting the length of their written content.