---
title: Formatting
description: Markdown syntax and text formatting options
---

Octarine gives you several ways to format your text. If you're a Markdown pro, you can use the syntax directly. But if you prefer a more visual approach, there are shortcuts built right in.

**Quick ways to format:**
- **Slash Command** — Press `/` to open a searchable dropdown with all formatting options, then hit `Enter` to apply what you need
- **Bubble Menu** — Select any text and a floating toolbar will appear right above it, giving you quick access to common formatting options

> You can customize the default highlight color in **Settings → Editor → Default Highlight Color**. This sets the color applied when you use the `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + H` keyboard shortcut.


Here's a complete reference for all the Markdown syntax Octarine supports, along with keyboard shortcuts to speed things up:

| Formatting Type | Markdown Syntax | Keyboard Shortcut |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heading 1 | `# text` | Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + 1 |
| Heading 2 | `## text` | Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + 2 |
| Heading 3 | `### text` | Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + 3 |
| Bold | `**text**` | Cmd/Ctrl + B |
| Italics | `*text*` | Cmd/Ctrl + I |
| Quote | `> text` | None |
| Inline Code | `` `text` `` | Cmd/Ctrl + E |
| Strikethrough | `~~text~~` | Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + S |
| Underline | `~text~` | Cmd/Ctrl + U |
| Bullet List | `- text` or `* text` | Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + 8 |
| Numbered List | `1. text` | Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + 7 |
| Task List | `[] text` | Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + 9 |
| Paragraph | `text` | Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + 0 |
| Web Link* | `[Link](http://example.com)` | None |
| Web Image* | `![Image](http://example.com/image.png)` | None |
| Codeblock | ```` ``` text ```` | Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + C |
| Divider | `—-` | None |

## Sorting Task Lists

Octarine can move completed tasks below incomplete tasks without changing the text inside each task.

- Open the note menu and choose **Sort tasks** to sort every task list in the note.
- Open the Command Bar and run **Sort All Tasks in Note**.

Sorting tasks is part of the Advanced Tasks Pro feature. If tasks are already in the correct order, the note is left unchanged.

> Sorting partitions each task list into incomplete tasks followed by completed tasks. It does not sort alphabetically or by due date.