# Text cell

Use the text cell to add text to your notebook. The text cell uses Markdown syntax, which means that you can use certain formatting queues like `**` and `_` to make text bold, italics, or to add headings and lists to your text. See [here](https://www.datacamp.com/cheat-sheet/markdown-cheat-sheet-23) for a DataCamp cheat sheet with basic syntax.

The text cell can be in two modes: editing mode or viewing mode.

### Editing mode

Use this mode write your markdown cell. A toolbar appears that you can use to easily format text, as well as add hyperlinks and images. You can also just paste an image from your local filesystem or your clipboard into a text cell; the image will be uploaded to your workbook and included with the correct Markdown syntax.

<figure><img src="/files/akoJUAwkyjq9f6Uh4keu" alt=""><figcaption><p>Text cell in editing mode</p></figcaption></figure>

### Viewing mode

This is the 'rendered' version of your markdown code: headings show up as larger titles, text formatted as bold will actually be bold, and links and images will be displayed. People with viewing access to your workbook will always see your text cells in viewing mode (since they can not edit them).

<figure><img src="/files/0LRInobw8u9r2fTMoa2d" alt=""><figcaption><p>The same text cell in viewing mode</p></figcaption></figure>

### Switching modes

To switch from viewing mode to editing mode, you can do one of the following:

* Double click on the text cell
* Click "Edit" in the cell menu
* Hit `Enter` when the cell is active.

To switch from editing mode to viewing mode, you can do one of the following:

* Click "View" in the cell menu
* Hit `Ctrl` + `Enter` when the cell is active.

###


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://datalab-docs.datacamp.com/work/text-cell.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.