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Markdown editor guide

Markdown Table Syntax

Write Markdown tables with pipes and dashes, set column alignment, and keep them readable in the editor before you paste.

Direct answer

A Markdown table uses pipes ( | ) to separate columns and a dash row ( --- ) under the header to define it. Add a colon in the dash row to align columns: :--- is left, :---: is center, and ---: is right. Type it in a live editor to confirm the columns line up before pasting.

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When to use this

  • You need a table in a README, GitHub issue, or docs page.
  • You want to control left, center, or right column alignment.
  • Your table looks broken and you need to check the pipe and dash structure.

Steps

  1. Write the header row with a pipe between each column name.
  2. Add a second row of dashes ( --- ) with one entry per column.
  3. Add a colon to the dash row to set alignment: :--- left, :---: center, ---: right.
  4. Add one data row per line, keeping the same number of pipes.
  5. Preview the table so you can confirm every row has matching columns.

Example

Markdown you type
| Feature | Free | Pro |
| :--- | :---: | ---: |
| Live preview | Yes | Yes |
| Export HTML | No | Yes |
| Price | $0 | $9 |
How it renders
Feature       |  Free  |  Pro
(left)        |(center)| (right)
------------- | ------ | -----
Live preview  |  Yes   |   Yes
Export HTML   |  No    |   Yes
Price         |  $0    |    $9

Common mistakes

  • Every row must have the same number of pipes, or the table falls back to plain text.
  • The dash row under the header is required; without it the block is not treated as a table.
  • Outer pipes are optional but keep them for readability so misaligned rows are easy to spot.

FAQ

How do I align columns in a Markdown table?
Add a colon in the dash separator row. :--- aligns left, :---: centers, and ---: aligns right. Columns without a colon default to left alignment.
Why is my Markdown table not rendering?
The most common cause is a missing dash separator row under the header, or a data row with a different number of pipes than the header. Check both in the live preview.
Can I put a pipe character inside a table cell?
Yes, escape it with a backslash ( \| ) so the renderer treats it as text instead of a column divider.

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Convert a Markdown Table to an HTML Table

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