Task lists appear in project plans, issue templates, onboarding documents, and release checklists. In source form, however, a single missing space can turn a checkbox into ordinary text.
Use an online Markdown viewer to inspect the list exactly as a reader will see it.
Correct Markdown checkbox syntax
- [x] Draft the release notes
- [x] Review breaking changes
- [ ] Publish the package
- [ ] Notify customers
The spaces matter. Keep one after the hyphen and one between the brackets for an unchecked item.
Preview a checklist
Import the file into the viewer and select split view. Confirm that completed items show checked boxes, incomplete items remain empty, and nested tasks appear under the correct parent.
- [ ] Launch documentation
- [x] Write the guide
- [ ] Verify links
Consistent indentation is important. Mixing tabs and spaces can produce different nesting results across renderers.
Preview versus task management
A Markdown viewer is designed to render the document, not replace a project management system. Preview checkboxes are often disabled because clicking them would otherwise change the visual state without updating the source file.
To mark a task complete, edit [ ] to [x] in the source and verify the updated preview. For longer editing sessions, use the Markdown editor.
Use task lists in exported documents
Before exporting, check that long task descriptions wrap cleanly and that nested items remain understandable without interaction. Then choose Markdown to PDF for a stable checklist or Markdown to Word when reviewers need an editable document.
Key takeaways
- Preview checked and unchecked task-list items
- Fix spacing and nesting mistakes
- Review project checklists without opening an IDE
Try the main MD Opener workflow
If this guide matches what you were searching for, the fastest next step is to use the MD Opener homepage to open your file immediately. The homepage is built for instant Markdown previews, clear formatting, and a low-friction browser experience.
You can also continue through the Workflow Guides cluster to explore more articles with similar search intent.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a checkbox in Markdown?
Use a list marker followed by square brackets: `- [ ]` for an unchecked task and `- [x]` for a checked task.
Are Markdown preview checkboxes interactive?
A rendered viewer commonly displays disabled checkboxes. Update the source marker to change task state rather than treating the preview as a task app.
Why is my task list showing brackets instead of checkboxes?
Check the spaces around the brackets and confirm that the renderer supports GitHub Flavored Markdown task lists.