Code blocks

Make a code block

Put the caret in a note, or select it, and press ⌥⌘C. The note keeps its text and becomes a code block in Plain text. Press the same keys again, or choose Format ▸ Code Block again, to turn it back into an ordinary note.

1. 1

   Start from any note

   Put the caret in the note, or select it. The note can have children and fields.

2. 2

   Make the block

   Press ⌥⌘C or choose Format ▸ Code Block. A note with a heading cannot become a code block, so remove the heading first.

3. 3

   Pick the language

   Choose Format ▸ Code Language…, or click the language label on the block, and type part of a name. Choose a language to set it.

Choose a language

The language picker is headed “Find a language” and lists every language. Type to narrow it. Each language matches on its name, its identifier and the short names in the table below, so typing “py” finds Python. The language in use has a checkmark. Choosing a language on a note that is not a code block makes it one.

Type in a code block

Typing works as it does in any note. The keys below change only what a code block needs: Return, Tab and Backspace.

Return

Starts a new line inside the block. On an empty last line it ends the block and starts a note below it.

Tab

Inserts two spaces. With several lines selected, indents each of them.

Shift-Tab

Removes a tab or up to two spaces from the start of each selected line.

Backspace

At the very start of the block, turns it back into an ordinary note. The text stays.

⌘Return

Adds a checkbox to the note, or checks and unchecks it. It works in a code block as well.

Esc

Selects the note as a block, as it does for any note.

Start a code block by typing

Type three backticks and a language name, such as swift, as the whole text of a note. Then press Space or Return. The fence text goes and the note becomes a code block in that language. One Undo brings the fence text back. A name Superliner does not know makes the block Plain text.

Copy the code

A code block has a Copy button. It copies the code as plain text, without colours, marks or links, and the button reads Copied for a moment.

Combine it

• A code block from the / listType / where a note can take a command, then choose Code block. It makes the same block as Format ▸ Code Block.
• Pasted codePaste several lines into a code block and every line stays. ⌥⇧⌘V pastes the lines as one note.
• Snippets you can findGive a code block the #snippet supertag and a language field, then find it with the palette.
• Code in other toolsThe Markdown copy writes the code between a fence that names its language, so other tools read it as code.

Limits

• A note longer than 45,000 characters, or with more than 1,000 lines, is shown in the code face but not coloured. Its language label says “Too long to colour”.
• A language saved by a newer build shows its name as stored and draws as plain text.
• A note with a heading cannot become a code block.
• Links inside a code block are not clickable.