Beginner · Lesson 02 of 22

Text, Headings
& Formatting

Slash commands, callout blocks, toggles, bullet lists — build pages that are clear and scannable from the start.

⏱ ~15 min 📝 Canvas basics ✅ Prerequisite: Lesson 01
01 — Text Basics 02 — Slash Commands 03 — Special Blocks 04 — @Mentions Practice
01 — Text Basics

Coda writes like a modern doc.

Click anywhere on the canvas and start typing. Coda's text editor supports markdown shortcuts — type # then space for H1, ## for H2, - for bullet list, and **bold** for bold text.

You can also use the formatting toolbar that appears when you select text — bold, italic, underline, inline code, highlight, and link.

Formatting Examples
H1 — Page Title
H2 — Section Title
H3 — Subsection

Normal paragraph text. You can bold, italicize, underline, or inline code any selection.

  • Bullet list item
  • Another item
  • And another
  1. Numbered list item
  2. Second step
  3. Third step
02 — Slash Commands

Everything from /

Press / on a blank line to insert any block. The most useful formatting blocks:

Content blocks

/callout Highlighted info/tip/warning box
/toggle Collapsible section — great for FAQs
/divider Horizontal rule between sections
/quote Block quote with left border
/code Syntax-highlighted code block

Data & media blocks

/table Insert a new table
/view Embed a view of an existing table
/image Upload or paste an image
/button Interactive action button
/chart Visualization from table data
03 — Special Blocks

Callouts & toggles make pages scannable.

Two blocks you'll use constantly in Coda:

Callout block

Use callouts to highlight tips, warnings, or key takeaways. Pick an icon and background color. Readers instantly know this content deserves attention.

💡 Pro tip: Use blue callouts for tips, yellow for warnings, red for blockers.

Toggle block

Toggles collapse content until clicked. Perfect for FAQs, detailed explanations that not everyone needs, and keeping pages from feeling overwhelming.

▶ What goes inside a toggle?
Anything — paragraphs, bullet lists, even nested tables. Content is hidden until expanded.
04 — @Mentions

Reference people and pages
with @

Type @ anywhere on a canvas to reference:

@mentions in formulas You'll use @ inside formulas too — to reference columns, tables, and controls. It's the same pattern everywhere in Coda.
Practice

Fill in the blanks.

Formatting Quiz

Fill in the Blank
Question 1
Press ____ on a blank line to open the Coda insert menu.
Question 2
To insert a highlighted tip or warning box, type: ________
Question 3
To reference a teammate or page inline, type: ____
Question 4
A collapsible section that hides content until clicked is created with: _______
← Prev What is Coda? Lesson 01