# Using Markdown in the Console
<a name="aws-markdown"></a>

Some services in the AWS Management Console, such as Amazon CloudWatch, support the use of [Markdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown) in certain fields. This topic explains the types of Markdown formatting supported in the console.

**Topics**
+ [Paragraphs, Line Spacing, and Horizontal Lines](#aws-markdown-paragraphs)
+ [Headings](#aws-markdown-headings)
+ [Text Formatting](#aws-markdown-formatting)
+ [Links](#aws-markdown-links)
+ [Lists](#aws-markdown-lists)
+ [Tables and Buttons (CloudWatch Dashboards)](#aws-markdown-tables)

## Paragraphs, Line Spacing, and Horizontal Lines
<a name="aws-markdown-paragraphs"></a>

Paragraphs are separated by a blank line. To make sure that the blank line between the paragraphs renders when it is converted to HTML, add a new line with a non-break space (`&nbsp;`) and then a blank line. Repeat this pair of lines to insert multiple blank lines one after the other, as in the following example:

```
&nbsp;
     
&nbsp;
```

To create a horizontal rule that separates the paragraphs, add a new line with three hyphens in a row: `---`

```
Previous paragraph.
---
Next paragraph.
```

To create a text block with monospace type, add a line with three backticks (`). Enter the text to show in monospace type. Then, add another new line with three backticks. The following example shows text that will be formatted to monospace type when displayed: 

```
```
This appears in a text box with a background shading.
The text is in monospace.
```
```

## Headings
<a name="aws-markdown-headings"></a>

To create headings, use the pound sign (\$1). A single pound sign and a space indicate a top-level heading. Two pound signs create a second-level heading, and three pound signs create a third-level heading. The following examples show a top-level, second-level, and third-level heading:

```
 # Top-level heading
```

```
 ## Second-level heading
```

```
 ### Third-level heading
```

## Text Formatting
<a name="aws-markdown-formatting"></a>

To format text as italic, surround it with a single underscore ( \$1 ) or asterisk (\$1) on each side. 

```
*This text appears in italics.*
```

To format text as bold, surround it with double underscores or double asterisks on each side.

```
**This text appears in bold.**
```

To format text as strikethrough, surround it with two tildes (\$1) on each side.

```
~~This text appears in strikethrough.~~
```

## Links
<a name="aws-markdown-links"></a>

To add a text hyperlink, enter the link text surrounded by square brackets ([ ]), followed by the full URL in parentheses (( )), as in the following example:

```
Choose [link_text](http://my.example.com).
```

## Lists
<a name="aws-markdown-lists"></a>

To format lines as part of a bulleted list, add them on separate lines that start with with a single asterisk (\$1) and then a space, as in the following example:

```
Here is a bulleted list:
* Ant
* Bug
* Caterpillar
```

To format lines as part of a numbered list, add them on separate lines that start with with a number, a period (.), and a space, as in the following example:

```
Here is a numbered list:
1. Do the first step
2. Do the next step
3. Do the final step
```

## Tables and Buttons (CloudWatch Dashboards)
<a name="aws-markdown-tables"></a>

CloudWatch dashboards text widgets support Markdown tables and buttons.

To create a table, separate columns using vertical bars (\$1) and rows using new lines. To make the first row a header row, insert a line between the header row and the first row of values. Then, add at least three hyphens (-) for each column in the table. Separate columns using vertical bars. The following example shows Markdown for a table with two columns, a header row, and two rows of data:

```
Table | Header
----|-----
Amazon Web Services | AWS
1 | 2
```

The Markdown text in the previous example creates the following table:


| Table | Header | 
| --- | --- | 
|  Amazon Web Services  |  AWS  | 
|  1  |  2  | 

In a CloudWatch dashboard text widget, you can also format a hyperlink to appear as a button. To create a button, use `[button:Button text]`, followed by the full URL in parentheses(( )), as in the following example:

```
[button:Go to AWS](http://my.example.com) 
[button:primary:This button stands out even more](http://my.example.com)
```