Obsidian Markdown: Complete Guide
Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on local markdown files. It supports standard markdown plus its own extensions like wiki-links, callouts, and embedded notes. All your data stays on your device as plain .md files.
Markdown support:Full
Markdown Support in Obsidian
| Format | Syntax | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | **text** | Yes |
| Italic | *text* | Yes |
| Strikethrough | ~~text~~ | Yes |
| Headings | # H1 ... ###### H6 | Yes |
| Links | [text](url) | Yes |
| Images |  | Yes |
| Blockquotes | > quote | Yes |
| Ordered Lists | 1. item | Yes |
| Unordered Lists | - item | Yes |
| Code (inline) | `code` | Yes |
| Code Blocks | ```lang\ncode\n``` | Yes |
| Tables | | col | col | | Yes |
| Task Lists | - [ ] task | Yes |
| Footnotes | [^1] | Yes Rendered in reading view only |
| Horizontal Rule | --- | Yes |
Things to know
- Uses [[wiki-link]] syntax for internal linking between notes.
- Supports callout blocks with > [!note], > [!tip], etc.
- Embeds other notes with ![[note-name]] syntax.
- Plugins can extend markdown with custom syntax like dataview queries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Obsidian support markdown?
Yes. Obsidian uses standard markdown (.md) files as its native format. It supports CommonMark, GFM tables, task lists, footnotes, and adds its own extensions like wiki-links and callouts.
How do you bold text in Obsidian?
Wrap the text with double asterisks: **bold text**. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl/Cmd + B in the editor.
Does Obsidian support tables?
Yes. Obsidian supports GFM-style pipe tables. You can also use community plugins like Advanced Tables for easier table editing with tab-key navigation.
Can Obsidian render LaTeX math?
Yes. Use $inline$ for inline math and $$block$$ for display math. Obsidian uses MathJax to render LaTeX expressions.