> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/obsidianmd/obsidian-help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create your first note

> Learn how to create a note, format text with Markdown, and understand how Obsidian saves your work automatically.

Notes in Obsidian are stored as plain text files using Markdown. Because your data lives in a standard format, it is durable, portable, and not locked into any proprietary system — your notes will outlive any app, including Obsidian itself.

## Create a new note

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a new note">
    Press `Ctrl+N` (or `Cmd+N` on macOS). A new, untitled note opens in the editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Give it a name">
    Type a name for your note — for example, `Obsidian` — and press `Enter`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write something">
    Click in the body of the note and start writing. For example:

    ```md theme={null}
    Obsidian is the private and flexible writing app that adapts to the way you think.
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Obsidian saves your notes automatically as you type. There is no save button and no need to press `Ctrl+S`.
</Note>

## Format text with Markdown

Obsidian uses [Markdown](https://www.markdownguide.org/) syntax for formatting. You write plain text with lightweight symbols, and Obsidian renders them as formatted output.

Here are the most common formatting options:

| Format      | Syntax          | Result         |
| ----------- | --------------- | -------------- |
| Heading     | `# Heading 1`   | Large heading  |
| Bold        | `**bold text**` | **bold text**  |
| Italic      | `*italic text*` | *italic text*  |
| Inline code | `` `code` ``    | `code`         |
| Link        | `[label](url)`  | Clickable link |
| Bullet list | `- item`        | List item      |

**Try it:** Paste the following at the top of your note to add a heading:

```md theme={null}
# Sharpen your thinking.
```

The `#` symbol followed by a space turns a line into a heading. Use `##` and `###` for subheadings.

To make any selected text **bold**, press `Ctrl+B` (`Cmd+B` on macOS).

<Tip>
  For a complete reference of Markdown syntax supported in Obsidian, see [Basic formatting syntax](/editing/basic-formatting).
</Tip>

## Editor modes

Obsidian offers two editing modes, which you can switch between from the editor's context menu or via **Settings → Editor**:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Live Preview" icon="eye">
    The default mode. Markdown is rendered inline as you type — you see formatted output without leaving the editor. Click any formatted element to edit the underlying Markdown.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Source mode" icon="code">
    Shows the raw Markdown source at all times. Useful if you prefer to see every character explicitly, or if you're troubleshooting formatting.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Explore the sandbox vault

If you want to see examples of all the formatting Obsidian supports before writing your own notes, open the **Sandbox vault** from the vault switcher. It contains pre-built notes that demonstrate headings, lists, tables, callouts, embeds, and more.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Link notes" icon="link" href="/getting-started/link-notes">
    Connect notes together to build a network of ideas.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Basic formatting syntax" icon="text" href="/editing/basic-formatting">
    Explore the full Markdown syntax Obsidian supports.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>