Exciting new formatting tools for Notepad

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Ever opened Notepad and thought, “I wish I could make this text bold or add a heading”?

Probably not.

But Microsoft is quietly giving Notepad a subtle upgrade—and it might just make a difference. Especially if you use it for jotting down quick notes, meeting minutes, or team checklists.

Notepad has always been the simplest of tools. It opens instantly, saves fast, and stays out of your way. That’s exactly why so many people love it.

Now, Microsoft is testing a light touch of formatting features—things like bold and italic text, headings, hyperlinks, and even basic bullet points.

The idea isn’t to turn Notepad into Word. It’s about giving you just enough control to make your notes clearer and easier to scan.


How it works

The formatting is based on Markdown—a simple, widely used way to structure plain text using symbols. For example, wrapping a word in asterisks makes it bold.

It’s clean, lightweight, and doesn’t add any of the bulk you’d expect from a full word processor. And if you prefer the classic Notepad experience? You can turn formatting off completely.

Some worry that adding features like this could slow things down. But in this case, the changes are minimal and optional. It’s like swapping your biro for a fine-tip pen—not turning your notebook into a printing press.


Why it matters

With WordPad now officially retired, there’s a gap for something that sits between “plain text” and “full document.” For smaller businesses or teams without complex documentation systems, this could be a handy middle ground.

Better structure means clearer notes, faster communication, and fewer misunderstandings.

It’s not flashy—but it’s thoughtful. And it’s another sign that Microsoft is modernising even the most basic tools in Windows 11, without losing what made them useful in the first place.

Keep an eye out for the update. And next time you’re scribbling a to-do list, maybe give those bold headings a go.

Would you like help enabling Markdown or exploring other lightweight productivity tools?