Good descriptions and briefings will be very helpful for sharing work and passing on work orders. awork's text editors in both the description and comment fields allow you to write clearly formatted texts.
Which text fields can I format?
Formating available in the following places in awork:
Docs (pages & comments)
Project descriptions
Task descriptions
Project comments
Task comments
Depending on where you're typing, not all slash-commands may be available.
Hint: All formatting options are also available for the notes on the dashboard. However, no attachments can be uploaded there, no mentions ("@") can be made and no slash commands can be used.
Live editing collaboration
Several people can now edit the project and task descriptions at the same time. These functions are included in live editing:
A "live cursor" shows you who is currently working on the description.
Each user receives a color for the "live cursor", which cannot be changed.
If someone marks a text in the description, this text appears in the color of the user.
At the top right of the description, you will see an "Updated" or "Syncing" indicator, which tells you whether the description displayed to you is the current one or not.
Live editing is only available in the project and task details, but not when you click on the "Edit" button in the project or task.
Options for formatting the text
Overall, you will be able to format the text as listed below.
Text size: Header, title, subtitle and text
Bold, italic, strike-through and underlined
Numbered and unnumbered enumeration
Section separator
Emojis
Line and paragraph breaks
Attach files
Add links
Display code as such, with corresponding font
To format text quickly and easily, just click on the + button in an empty line.
How to use the formatting
Insert elements into empty lines
If your cursor is placed over a blank line of text, the small plus icon will appear to the left of the line. If you click on it, you will be able to choose different formatting options for the beginning of the line, e.g. a title or a listing.
Marked text
Mark the text, and a box with formatting options will appear above the mark. Now you will be able to format single words or whole passages and, for example, make them bold.
Shortcuts in awork
Slash-Commands
With the slash-commands, you can create content in awork even faster and more efficiently. Just type / to insert formatting, elements, or actions directly from your keyboard — no need for a mouse or toolbar. Perfect for anyone who loves working productively with keyboard shortcuts.
What are slash-commands?
Slash-commands are simple, helpful commands triggered by typing a / in a text field. While writing, you can use them to:
Change the format of your text (e.g., headings, lists, blockquotes)
Insert elements like images, emojis, files, or tables
Trigger actions quickly without using your mouse
They save time and streamline your workflow — especially when working on longer texts in Docs or task descriptions.
How slash-commands work
Type
/in a supported text field.A popup will appear with available commands.
Keep typing to filter the list.
The first result is always preselected.
Use the arrow keys (↑/↓) to navigate the list.
Press Enter to apply the selected command.
🎯 Slash-commands work both at the beginning of a new line and inline. You can even convert existing lines into different formats.
Supported commands & formatting options
Here’s an overview of the available slash-commands (both 🇬🇧 & 🇩🇪 versions are supported):
ACTION | SLASH-COMMAND 🇩🇪 | SLASH-COMMAND 🇬🇧 | FUNCTION |
Heading (H1) |
|
| Converts text into H1 heading |
Title (H2) |
|
| Converts text into H2 heading |
Subtitle (H3) |
|
| Converts text into H3 heading |
Paragraph |
|
| Converts text into a paragraph |
Bullet list |
|
| Converts a paragraph into a bullet list |
Numbered list |
|
| Converts a paragraph into a numbered list |
Checklist |
|
| Creates a checklist |
Code block |
|
| Inserts a code block |
Quote |
|
| Converts text into a blockquote |
Table |
|
| Inserts an empty table |
Divider |
|
| Adds a horizontal divider |
Emoji |
|
| Opens the emoji selector |
Insert image |
|
| Adds an embedded image |
Upload file |
|
| Opens your computer’s file selector |
Google Drive file |
|
| Opens Google Drive in a new tab |
OneDrive file |
|
| Opens OneDrive in a new tab |
Notes
Slash-commands do not work when text is selected.
Slash-commands are disabled inside code blocks.
Formatting options already applied to the current line are hidden from the popup.
Other Keyboard Shortcuts
The following key commands are available in the text editor. The formatting is applied to the marked text passage, or if nothing is marked, you continue writing in the formatting as follows.
⌘ + B (MacOS) or Ctrl + B (Windows): Bold formatting
⌘ + I (MacOS) or Ctrl + I (Windows): Format italics
Of course, we haven't forgotten about our power users. We added some new shortcuts to help you speed through the tool even faster and more safely. Especially when creating and designing texts:
Undo changes: "CMD/CTRL + z"
Restore changes: "CMD/CTRL + SHIFT + z"
Activate H1 format (header): "#", then "blank line"
Activate H2 format (title): "##", then "blank line"
Activate H3 format (subtitle): "###", then "blank line"
Display text in italics: "*Example*"
Display text in bold: "**Example**"
Display text in strikethrough: "~~example~~"
Display text in code: "`Example`"
Insert hyphen: "---"
☝️Important: The functions for undoing or redoing changes are only possible as long as you are actively in the corresponding text field. If you click out of the text field, changes can no longer be undone or restored.
Automatic recognition at the beginning of a line
You will be able to type certain character combinations at the beginning of a line to have the line format itself automatically. Once you have them, you can format your text at high speed while simultaneously writing.
Hyphen + Space: Start an unnumbered enumeration
1. + Space: Start a numbered enumeration
# + Space: Set a title
-- + Space: A section separator line is inserted
Line and paragraph breaks
You will be able to create paragraph breaks (with Enter) and line breaks (with Shift + Enter) within your text.
Paragraph breaks create a slightly larger space between the text lines and ensure that a new count element is created in enumerations.
Line breaks, on the other hand, have a normal line spacing. If you use them in bulleted lists, you will be able to write multi-line bulleted items.
Attach files
Within the Text Editor, you will be able to attach files. Either upload a new file using the slash commands or link a file already uploaded in the project or task by typing an @ symbol and starting to type the file name. Select the file in the pop-up, and it will appear in the text field afterward.
Saving and resetting the editor input
In the task and project details you will be able to change easily the description inline. If you click with the mouse anywhere outside the text field, your changess will be saved immediately.
If you tap ⌃ + Enter (MacOS) or Ctrl + Enter (Windows) while editing the text, the text will also be saved, and the edit mode will close.
Tap ESC to close the edit mode, and the text changes will not be saved. The text before the start of editing will be displayed again.