# Writing notes

What to press and what to type in the box at the bottom of a thread.

## Write and send

`Enter` starts a new paragraph and `Shift+Enter` a new line inside it.

**Send** adds the note to the thread, and so does `⌘Enter` / `Ctrl+Enter`. Until then your text is a draft: it stays in the box and is listed in **Drafts**.

To change a note you sent, click its text and edit it there. `⌘Enter` / `Ctrl+Enter` finishes.

The box grows with your text. When the text no longer fits, a button in its corner expands the box. **Expand editor** in **More** (⋯) does the same, and on a computer you can drag the box’s top edge.

## Lists and sub-items

**Bulleted list**, **Numbered list** and **Checklist** are in the row under the text. `Enter` adds the next item. On an empty item it moves the item up a level, and at the top level it ends the list.

`Tab` makes an item a sub-item of the one above, and `Shift+Tab` moves it back. While the caret is in a list, the row also shows **Increase indent** and **Decrease indent**, which do the same. At the top level, **Decrease indent** turns the item into plain text.

`Shift+Enter` starts a new line inside an item. `Backspace` at the start of an item moves it up a level, and at the top level turns it into plain text.

Click a checklist item’s box to check it, in a draft or in a note you sent.

## What you can type

At the start of a line, these turn into formatting as soon as you type the space. `Backspace` right after brings back what you typed.

- **`- `:** Dashed list
- **`* `:** Bulleted list
- **`1. `:** Numbered list, starting from the number you type
- **`[] `:** Checklist
- **`[x] `:** Checklist, with the item checked
- **`# `:** Heading 1
- **`## `:** Heading 2
- **`### `:** Heading 3
- **`> `:** Quote
- **```` ``` ```` `Enter`:** Code block

Inside a line, these turn into formatting when you type the closing sign.

- **`**bold**`:** Bold
- **`*italic*`:** Italic
- **`~~struck~~`:** Strikethrough
- **`` `code` ``:** Monospace text

A web address becomes a link and a `#word` becomes a tag when you type the space after it.

## Formatting

Select text and choose a tool, or choose a tool and keep typing.

The row under the text starts with the paragraph style: **Normal text**, **Heading 1**, **Heading 2**, **Heading 3**, **Code block** or **Quote**. Then come **Bold**, **Italic**, **Underline**, **Strikethrough**, the lists and **Link**.

Tools that don’t fit are in **More** (⋯), which also holds **Highlight**, **Clear text formatting**, **Dashed list**, **More formatting…** (font, size, text color, alignment and direction), **Undo** and **Redo**.

## Images and files

**Add to note** (+) → **Attach files…** adds images and files where the caret is. You can also paste them, or drop them on the box. Select an image to change its size. The same menu adds a **Table** and a **Note reference…**

[Storage & backups](https://thread.page/help/storage.md) says how much your notes can hold.

## Addressing a note with @

With Pro, a note can go to one of your connections. Type `@` in the text and choose a name from the list, or choose **Add to note** (+) → **Address to…**. The name stays in the text, up to 5 for each note, and **Send** sends the note to them. A reply comes back as a note in the thread.

[Connections help](https://thread.page/help/connections.md) says how to connect one.

## Keyboard shortcuts

In the app, **Keyboard shortcuts** in **More** (⋯) lists the keys for your computer. Where `/` is typed without Shift, `⌘/` / `Ctrl+/` opens the list too.

| Action | Mac | Windows and Linux |
|---|---|---|
| **Text** | | |
| Bold | `⌘B` | `Ctrl+B` |
| Italic | `⌘I` | `Ctrl+I` |
| Underline | `⌘U` | `Ctrl+U` |
| Strikethrough | `⇧⌘X` | `Ctrl+Shift+X` |
| Link | `⌘K` | `Ctrl+K` |
| Clear text formatting | `⌘\` | `Ctrl+\` |
| Normal text | `⌥⌘0` | |
| Heading 1 | `⌥⌘1` | `Ctrl+Shift+1` |
| Heading 2 | `⌥⌘2` | `Ctrl+Shift+2` |
| Heading 3 | `⌥⌘3` | `Ctrl+Shift+3` |
| Code block | `⌥⇧⌘C` | |
| Quote | `⇧⌘9` | `Ctrl+Shift+9` |
| **Lists** | | |
| Bulleted list | `⇧⌘8` | `Ctrl+Shift+8` |
| Numbered list | `⇧⌘7` | `Ctrl+Shift+7` |
| Checklist | `⇧⌘L` | `Ctrl+Shift+L` |
| Check or uncheck an item | `⇧⌘U` | `Ctrl+Alt+Enter` |
| Increase indent | `Tab` `⌘]` | `Tab` `Ctrl+]` |
| Decrease indent | `⇧Tab` `⌘[` | `Shift+Tab` `Ctrl+[` |
| Move up | `⌃⌘↑` | `Alt+Shift+↑` |
| Move down | `⌃⌘↓` | `Alt+Shift+↓` |
| **Note** | | |
| Send | `⌘Enter` | `Ctrl+Enter` |
| New line | `⇧Enter` | `Shift+Enter` |
| Undo | `⌘Z` | `Ctrl+Z` |
| Redo | `⇧⌘Z` | `Ctrl+Y` |
| Insert table | `⌥⌘T` | |
| Add row above | `⌥⌘↑` | |
| Add row below | `⌥⌘↓` | |
| Add column before | `⌥⌘←` | |
| Add column after | `⌥⌘→` | |
| Leave the text | `Esc` | `Esc` |

`Tab` indents in a list, and `⌘]` / `Ctrl+]` also indents a paragraph. **Move up** and **Move down** move a list item, or a paragraph outside a list. The row and column keys work inside a table.

## On a phone

The same actions work without keys:

- **Send** sends the note, and the keyboard’s return key starts a new paragraph.
- The row under the text shows the tools that fit, starting with **Bold** and the lists. The others are in **More** (⋯).
- In a list, the row shows **Decrease indent** and **Increase indent**: tap **Increase indent** to make a sub-item.
- Everything under What you can type works as you type it.
- **Add to note** (+) adds files, a table or a note reference.
- To change a note you sent, open its ⋯ and choose **Edit note**.

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