Learning task 1

Install and configure a text editor with a viewer plugin

• What is your favorite text editor?
  • Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, ...

• Does it have a plugin or extension for Markdown?

Using Notepad++ for Markdown

To use Notepad++ for Markdown you need to install a plugin to view the formatting. We recommend Markdown Panel.

Install the Markdown Panel in Notepad++

1. From the Plugins menu, choose Plugin Admin
2. In the search box, type markd
3. Check (tick) the box beside Markdown Panel
4. Click Install
   A dialog is displayed.
5. Click Yes
6. Wait for the operations to finish.
7. Click Notepad++ icon on the taskbar.
8. From the Plugins menu, choose Toggle Markdown panel

Configuring the Markdown Panel

Once you have installed the plugin, you need to configure it as the default Zoom size is far too small.

1. From the Plugins menu, choose MarkdownPanel,
2. Then Toggle Markdown Panel
3. A message in the Panel warns that the current file is not markdown. Ignore this for now.
4. From the Plugins menu, choose MarkdownPanel, then Settings
   
5. Drag the Zoom level slider to 250%
6. Check (tick) the checkbox “Automatically show panel for supported files”.
7. Click Save

Then save the file as a markdown file

1. Click the Save icon
2. Choose a markdown format
3. Change the folder
4. Click Save
5. If you still get the error message that it is not markdown, close then reopen the panel.

Reflect: What challenges did you encounter?