Updates to Markdown pasting on GitHub

We've made some updates to how paste formatting works in Markdown-enabled fields on GitHub. For example, in code editors and on gists, you'll now be able to paste URLs on selected texts that will render as Markdown links like [...](https://...) by using the keyboard shortcut cmd|ctrl + v.

The following paste formatting changes have been made to pull requests, issue comments and wikis:

  • Spreadsheet cells and HTML tables will render as Markdown tables
  • Any copied text containing links will render the links in Markdown

All of this formatting can be disabled when pasting using the keyboard shortcut: cmd|ctl + shift + v or cmd|ctl + shift + Alt + v.

markdown formatting demo gif

Learn more about writing and formatting at GitHub.

You can now use LaTeX style syntax to render math expressions within Markdown inline (using $ delimiters) or in blocks (using $$ delimiters).

Writing expressions as blocks

To add math as a multiline block displayed separately from surrounding text, start a new line and delimit the expression with two dollar symbols $$.

**The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality**
$$\left( \sum_{k=1}^n a_k b_k \right)^2 \leq \left( \sum_{k=1}^n a_k^2 \right) \left( \sum_{k=1}^n b_k^2 \right)$$

Displayed math markdown rendering

Writing inline expressions

To include a math expression inline with your text, delimit the expression with a dollar symbol $.

This sentence uses `$` delimiters to show math inline:  $\sqrt{3x-1}+(1+x)^2$

Inline math markdown rendering

GitHub's math rendering capability uses MathJax; an open source, JavaScript-based display engine. MathJax supports a wide range of LaTeX macros and a number of useful accessibility extensions. For more information, see the MathJax documentation and the MathJax Accessibility Extensions documentation.

Some users have previously used a workaround to generate images of mathematical expressions through API requests. Images generated this way will remain viewable, but this technique will no longer work. Going forward, expressions should be written directly in Markdown using LaTeX syntax as described above.

For more information about authoring content with advanced formatting, see Working with advanced formatting in the GitHub documentation.

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Today's Changelog brings you the release of issue closed reasons, project deletion, and availability of the new side-panel.

🕵🏽‍♀️ Issue closed reasons

We announced a preview of issue closed reasons in March and today, we're releasing them to everyone. 🎉

Issue closed reasons help you communicate the why when closing an issue:

  • When closing, you can opt to close as complete (default option) or not-planned.
  • When filtering, adding a reason will allow you to filter down to the specific set you need with either reason:complete or reason:"not planned".
  • We have added a new state_reason attribute to our REST API, GraphQL API and webhooks. These are currently in preview and will be fully shipped in the upcoming week.

issue closed 1

✂️ Delete projects you no longer need

While you've been able to close projects, we heard you loud and clear that it wasn't enough and we're now introducing the ability to fully delete a project. Keep your project lists tidy by deleting experimental or out-of-date projects that are no longer relevant to you and your team.

DeleteProject

💥 Side-panel enabled for all projects (beta) users

In our last changelog, we introduced the projects side-panel as a feature preview users could choose to enable.

After seeing users flock to enable this feature and lots of great feedback in our side-panel discussion, we've decided to enable this feature by default.

Expect continued improvements in the side-panel experience over the next few months. ☀️

✨ Bug fixes & improvements

Other changes include:

  • Added a Copy link button to the sidebar for easier issue sharing and enabled keyboard shortcut (Space) to open the side panel.
  • Fixed various bugs around syncing information between the project and side panel.
  • Fixed full-height Markdown editor for drafts.
  • View and edit projects (beta) custom fields on GitHub Mobile.

See how to use GitHub for project planning with GitHub Issues, check out what's on the roadmap, and learn more in the docs.

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