What is Markdown?

Some tech writers and software developers find Markdown a productivity-enhancing tool for formatting content as you type

Markdown is a simple markup language that formats plain text easily. It was created to help people write and read documents without needing knowledge of (or experience creating) complex HTML tags or using other markup languages. It relies on basic symbols to add formatting like bold, italics, lists, links, and headers.

For example:

• bold turns into bold.

• italic turns into italic.

• # Header creates a header.

• - List item creates a list.

You save Markdown files with a .md or .markdown extension, and you can convert them into formats like HTML, PDF, or Word.

Because it's easy to use and read, some software developers prefer Markdown for contributing to documentation projects.

Organizations that follow a Docs-as-Code publishing approach usually use Markdown to create content for platforms like GitHub, static site generators, and other documentation tools.

How Does Markdown Differ From Markup Like The Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA)?

Markdown and DITA are both markup languages, but they differ in complexity, purpose, and how they're used:

Simplicity vs. Complexity:

• Markdown: Simple and easy to learn, designed for quickly formatting text with basic elements like headings, lists, bold, and italics. It doesn't require users to write complex tags.

• XML DITA: More complex, designed for structured content with rich features like conditional text, topic-based authoring, and metadata. DITA requires a strict tag structure, making it suitable for large-scale, complex documentation.

See related: How to Reuse Structured Content With DITA

Use Case:

• Markdown is ideal for lightweight content, such as blog posts, simple documentation, and notes. It is widely used in version control systems like GitHub for README files and in Docs-as-Code workflows.

• XML DITA: Used for structured, reusable technical documentation, especially in industries that need to manage large volumes of content (e.g., software, manufacturing) or provide individualized content experiences. DITA supports content reuse across different outputs like help files, manuals, and websites.

See related: Make Secure Access a Reality with Personalization

Structure:

• Markdown: It doesn't enforce a specific structure beyond basic formatting, so it's more flexible but lacks advanced content control features.

• XML DITA: Highly structured and modular, with topics (like concepts, tasks, and references) that follow specific guidelines. This structure makes DITA better for managing large, complex content sets.

See related: When To Use The Topic, Concept, and Task Types in DITA

Output Flexibility:

• Markdown: It can be converted into HTML, PDF, or Word, but it offers limited customization without extra tools.

• XML DITA: Designed for omnichannel publishing. DITA content can be transformed into various formats (HTML, PDF, mobile-friendly outputs) while maintaining a consistent look and feel.

See related: Omnichannel or Multi-Channel: What’s the Difference & Can We Use Them Both?

Content Management:

• Markdown: Works well for small teams or individual users but lacks the advanced content management features needed for large-scale operations.

• XML DITA: Supports advanced content management features, including content reuse, version control, and localization, making it ideal for global enterprises with complex documentation needs.

See related: The Quick & Easy Guide to Content Localization