How to Stop Google Docs from Automatically Converting Markdown to Formatting

The Markdown Frustration

Markdown is a fantastic, lightweight syntax used by developers to quickly format text. For example, typing # Title creates a Header 1, and typing *italic* makes the text italicized. Google recently integrated Markdown support directly into Google Docs. If you type a Markdown symbol and press the spacebar, Google Docs will instantly auto-format the text into rich formatting.

While developers love this, it is incredibly annoying if you are writing technical documentation, software instructions, or simply trying to type a literal asterisk without the software assuming you want bullet points. You can disable this automatic Markdown conversion so Google Docs interprets your symbols literally.

How to Stop Automatic Markdown Formatting

You can turn off the Markdown engine within the Preferences menu.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to any open document in Google Docs.
2. At the top of the screen, click on the Tools menu.
3. Scroll down the dropdown list and click on Preferences.
4. A popup window will appear. Ensure you are on the General tab.
5. Look down the list of checkboxes for the option labelled Automatically detect Markdown.
6. Click the checkbox to remove the checkmark.
7. Click the blue OK button at the bottom of the window to save your changes.

With this box unchecked, Google Docs will stop intercepting your symbols. If you type a hashtag, an asterisk, or brackets, they will simply appear as text on the screen exactly as you typed them, without magically transforming into headings or lists.