Inserting Images in Markdown

This article explains how to insert images in Markdown using basic syntax and provides tips for adjusting image size and centering images using HTML. It also covers advanced usage with Markdown extensions and third-party hosting services.

Inserting Images in Markdown

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Introduction

Markdown is a simple, lightweight markup language commonly used for writing documents, blog posts, and README files. Its syntax is straightforward and easy to use, yet flexible enough to meet various formatting needs. Among its many features, inserting images is a common operation. This article will explain how to insert images in Markdown and provide some useful tips and examples.

Basic Syntax

The basic syntax for inserting an image in Markdown is very simple. The format is as follows:

![Alt Text](Image URL)
  • ! indicates that this is an image element.
  • [] contains the alternative text (alt text) for the image, which is displayed if the image cannot be loaded.
  • () contains the image URL or path.

Example

If you have an image URL https://example.com/image.jpg and you want to add alternative text "Sample Image," you would write:

![Sample Image](https://example.com/image.jpg)

Local Images

If you want to insert an image stored locally on your computer, you can use a relative or absolute path. For instance, if an image file named local-image.jpg is stored in the same directory as your Markdown file, you can insert it like this:

![Local Image](./local-image.jpg)

Adjusting Image Height and Width

Markdown itself does not support directly adjusting the height and width of images, but you can achieve this with HTML tags. Markdown files allow the insertion of HTML. For example:

<img src="https://example.com/image.jpg" alt="Sample Image" width="300" height="200">

Centering Images

Similarly, since Markdown does not support specific styling options, you can use HTML to center an image:

<div style="text-align: center;">
    <img src="https://example.com/image.jpg" alt="Sample Image" />
</div>

Advanced Usage Tips

Using Markdown Extensions

Some Markdown editors and renderers support extended syntax, allowing you to control image styles directly in Markdown. For example, with GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM), you can adjust sizes by adding an equals sign (=):

![Sample Image](https://example.com/image.jpg =300x200)

Images Hosted on Websites

If you want to use images hosted on other websites, ensure you have permission to use those images and check that the links are long-term valid. Third-party hosting services like Imgur can be used to upload and share images, providing URL links.

Conclusion

Inserting images in Markdown is a simple yet common task. By mastering the basic syntax and some advanced techniques, you can flexibly use images in Markdown documents, enhancing their visual appeal and readability. Whether you are using online or local images, Markdown offers an efficient solution to meet your needs.