Which languages does the Confluence code macro highlight?

Common ones include bash, python, java, javascript, sql, xml, yaml, and json. If a language is not supported, the macro still renders the block as monospaced code without coloring.

What is the difference between {code} and {noformat}?

{code} adds syntax highlighting and a language label; {noformat} renders raw preformatted text with no highlighting. Use {noformat} for logs, diffs, and terminal output.

How does inline Markdown code convert?

Inline backticks like `npm install` become Confluence {{npm install}} monospace text, which renders inline rather than as a block.

Why does my pasted code block show literal ``` characters?

Confluence does not understand Markdown fences. Until they are converted to {code} macros, the backticks are just text — run the document through the converter first.

Confluence wiki markup guide

Markdown Code Blocks to Confluence

Turn Markdown fenced code blocks into Confluence {code} macros with syntax highlighting, and know when to use {noformat} instead.

Direct answer

Markdown fenced code blocks become Confluence {code} macros: ```python turns into {code:language=python} ... {code}. The language after the fence maps to the macro's language parameter, which drives Confluence's syntax highlighting.

Open Markdown to Confluence converter

When to use this

Code snippets pasted into Confluence lost their formatting or highlighting.
Runbooks, API docs, or troubleshooting guides written in Markdown carry shell, Python, or JSON blocks.
You need Confluence's copy-button code macro instead of an indented plain-text blob.

Steps

Tag every Markdown fence with a language (```bash, ```python, ```json) so highlighting survives.
Convert the document — each fence becomes a {code:language=...} macro.
Paste through Insert > Markup and confirm each block renders as a code macro, not a paragraph.
Use {noformat} for output logs or config dumps where highlighting is noise.
Preview long lines: the code macro scrolls horizontally instead of wrapping.

Example conversion

Markdown input

```python
def retry(fn, attempts=3):
    for i in range(attempts):
        try:
            return fn()
        except TimeoutError:
            continue
```

Confluence wiki output

{code:language=python}
def retry(fn, attempts=3):
    for i in range(attempts):
        try:
            return fn()
        except TimeoutError:
            continue
{code}

Common mistakes

Do not leave fences untagged — {code} without a language renders but loses syntax highlighting.
Do not use inline backticks for multi-line code; they become {{monospace}} text, not a code block.
Do not nest a code fence inside a blockquote and expect both to survive — convert them separately.

FAQ

Which languages does the Confluence code macro highlight?: Common ones include bash, python, java, javascript, sql, xml, yaml, and json. If a language is not supported, the macro still renders the block as monospaced code without coloring.
What is the difference between {code} and {noformat}?: {code} adds syntax highlighting and a language label; {noformat} renders raw preformatted text with no highlighting. Use {noformat} for logs, diffs, and terminal output.
How does inline Markdown code convert?: Inline backticks like `npm install` become Confluence {{npm install}} monospace text, which renders inline rather than as a block.
Why does my pasted code block show literal ``` characters?: Confluence does not understand Markdown fences. Until they are converted to {code} macros, the backticks are just text — run the document through the converter first.

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