Markdown helps you add simple formatting to text so your content is easier to read and organize. In Drata, some text areas support Markdown formatting. When a field supports Markdown, you can use supported formatting options such as line breaks and bullets to structure your content more clearly.
Prerequisites
Access to a text area in Drata that supports Markdown formatting
Required Drata roles: Any user who can edit a supported text area can use Markdown formatting there.
How Markdown support works
Not every input field supports Markdown. Use Markdown only in supported text areas. Your content is displayed with Markdown formatting after it is saved. If a field does not support Markdown, Markdown characters may appear as plain text instead of formatted content.
Supported text areas
The following text areas in Drata render Markdown formatting:
Area | Field(s) |
Evidence | Description |
Controls | Description |
Risks | Description |
Assets | Notes |
Custom Monitoring tests | Description |
Events | Internal Notes |
Custom Framework Requirements | Description, Additional Info |
Vendors | Provided Services, Stored Data, Additional Notes |
Important Note: If your organization has created custom fields using the Long Answer field type, those fields also support Markdown formatting. Markdown support is applied automatically to all Long Answer custom fields — no additional configuration is required.
Text areas that do not support Markdown
The following areas do not render Markdown formatting. If you enter Markdown characters in these locations, they may appear as plain text.
Table cells: Markdown is not rendered in list or table views, only in detail and overview panels
Short Answer (Text) custom fields: Only Long Answer custom fields support Markdown
Add Markdown formatted content
Use supported Markdown formatting to improve structure and readability in supported text areas. Common ways to improve text include:
Adding line breaks to separate paragraphs
Using headings to organize sections
Applying only formatting that is supported in the text area you are editing
Get started:
In the supported text area, add headers, tables, bullet points, and more.
Save your changes.
Review the rendered content to confirm the heading structure is easy to follow.
Expected outcome: Your content displays with clearer spacing and improved readability.
Accessibility tips for headings
When you use headings, keep them in a meaningful order. Good heading hierarchy helps readers understand how content is organized and improves accessibility by making sections easier to follow.
For best results:
Use headings only when they help organize the content
Keep heading levels consistent
Avoid using headings only for visual emphasis
Best practices
Confirm the field supports Markdown before spending time formatting content
Keep formatting simple and consistent
Use line breaks to separate blocks of text
Use headings to organize longer content
Review rendered content to make sure it appears the way you expect
Troubleshooting
If your formatting does not appear correctly:
Check whether the text area supports Markdown formatting using the tables above
Review your line breaks and heading structure
Simplify the formatting and test again
Confirm that the formatting option you used is supported in that text area
Expected outcome: You can recognize supported text areas, use Markdown formatting more confidently, and create clearer, better-structured content in Drata.