# Using markdown shortcuts with the Portable Text Editor

> It's finally here, we've been excited to type a little # before our titles and get that magnificent pop in heading size. Let's get started 

**TL;DR:** 2024's hot request: shortcuts in Sanity's Text Editor. Finally dropped! Update with 'npm i sanity@latest'. Cheat sheet: markdown shortcuts for headings, lists, and more. Don't forget keyboard shortcuts for bold/italic. Full-screen mode for focus. Should've read this sooner, huh?

**Published:** 2025-01-14 | **Updated:** 2026-07-23 | **Categories:** Sanity, How To
---

Throughout 2024, one of the top editorial requests has been shortcuts within the Sanity Portable Text Editor. 

It's been a bit of a pain point and the one QOL productivity feature we think was missing.

[Now, guess what dropped just before the end of the year](https://www.sanity.io/blog/a-block-content-editor-that-loves-you-back).

So you know what that means: if you're not already using the [auto-updating Sanity Studio](https://www.sanity.io/docs/studio/latest-version-of-sanity), make sure you run:

```sh
npm i sanity@latest
```

Now we've got that up and running, let's move on to the cheat sheet. Keep reading to find out a pitfall we fell into when testing it for the first time.

## Cheat Sheet

Here's a list of all the markdown shortcuts we've discovered so far. Everything highlighted on the left should be typed into the Sanity Portable Text field followed by a `space` to change the formatting.

### Headings
`#` - Heading 1

`##` - Heading 2

`###` - Heading 3

`####` - Heading 4

`#####` - Heading 5

`######` - Heading 6

### Blockquote
`>` - Blockquote

### Lists 
`1.` - Ordered list

`-` or `*` - Unordered list

## Pitfall to be aware of
If you're like us, you probably restricted ``<h1>`` when you set up your Portable Text Editor for SEO reasons. 

Naturally, the first thing you are going to test from the cheat sheet above is `#` and then see if a `Heading 1` appears...

This won't work if you're not including `Heading 1`'s in your configuration and you will get the same result as we did below.

![We all make mistakes - here's an example of us trying to get a `<h1>` to work](https://qxvqs298ldvynvwd.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/using-markdown-shortcuts-with-the-portable-text-editor-blog-we-all-make-mistakes-heres-an-example-of-us-trying.png)

> Make sure whatever markdown shortcut you're trying to use, actually exists inside of your Portable Text Editor.

> **Sanity CMS development**: Portable Text customization, editor shortcuts, and Sanity studio setup for content teams. [Learn more](/services/sanity)

## Keyboard shortcuts exist as well
You may be aware of a couple of Markdown shortcuts we missed from above, specifically **bold** and *italic*. The good news is that they're in there, but with keyboard shortcuts instead.

For example, highlight some text and hit:

`⌘ + B` - Make text bold

`⌘ + I` - Make text italic

## Bonus tip: full-screen Portable Text Editor
Things can easily become distracting if too many tabs are opened at once. For editorial zen, you can full-screen your Portable Text Editor.

You can do so by hitting the expand editor at the top right (or hitting `⌘ + ⏎ (enter)`) and clicking the top of each side panel to collapse them. 

## Thanks for reading
We've always said:

> "Little incremental improvements are far more significant to the editorial experience than a singular big release."
That's why we love [Sanity](/services/sanity) for their constant efforts with QOL improvements.

## Related posts

- [How to migrate from WordPress to Sanity fast](/blog/how-to-migrate-from-wordpress-to-sanity-fast)
- [Get better at using Sanity Studio](/blog/get-better-at-using-sanity-studio)
- [How to deploy Sanity with GitHub Actions](/blog/github-action-for-sanity-deployment-simplify-your-workflow)