actualNoteContentPart: Writing in Amplenote happens primarily between two modes that we provide in the left sidebar: "Jots" and "Notes."
  
  
  
  In Amplenote, every "jot" is a "note" and vice versa. The purpose of Jots mode is **to facilitate simple, quick idea capture**, [which is why it's the first step in the "Idea execution funnel."](https://www.amplenote.com/blog/jots_unify_four_apps_ideas_into_idea_funnel)  
  
  Jots is great when you're trying to whip up the first draft of a document, or when you just want a scratchpad for the problem of the minute. But when you want to share your ideas with the world, it's common that you want to make editing passes on your original idea to improve language, add formatting, etc. This is where Notes mode shines.
  
  
  
  Notes mode -- with its formatting toolbar, ability to set multiple tags, and detailed per-note action menu -- is designed for taking the rough gems you created in Jots mode and polishing them into a form that lets them be consumed by the outside world.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  In this help article, we'll explore how they differ philosophically and effectually.
  
  # Purpose of Jots mode
  **The purpose of "Jots" is to facilitate simple, quick idea capture**. 🏃
  
  When you're first sketching out an idea and its connections, Jots mode shines. It provides a zero-clutter, distraction-free place to write. 
  
  As of September 2020, it looks like this when used in single-pane mode:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Note the lack of formatting toolbar present in "Notes" mode. To apply formatting in Jots mode, use [keyboard shortcuts or markdown formatting](https://www.amplenote.com/help/keyboard_shortcuts_and_markdown_syntax_examples) .
  
  # Using Jots mode
  Here are some tips on using Jots mode to its fullest.
  
  ## Creating tasks (and other formatting) in Jots mode
  Since Jots mode doesn't include the formatting bar found in Notes mode, you will need to use [our markdown or shortcut keys](https://www.amplenote.com/help/keyboard_shortcuts_and_markdown_syntax_examples)  to effect formatting in Jots mode.
  December 2021 saw the addition of the formatting toolbar 🎉: [Notes & Writing#Using the formatting toolbar](/help/notes_and_writing_other_settings#Using_the_formatting_toolbar)  
  > ![](https://images.amplenote.com/43301082-fb67-11ea-a4f3-1a263ad550a8/c8a35bdc-286c-4d48-a81a-d9062b70ce4b.gif) Select text written in your jot to see the available formatting options.
  
  That said, you can still use the powerful [Keyboard Shortcuts & Markdown Syntax Examples](/help/keyboard_shortcuts_and_markdown_syntax_examples)  to format your notes.
   
  The most common type of formatting that users are after in Jots mode is **formatting as a task**. You can create a task in Jots mode by typing []  followed by whatever you want the task to be. That is: open bracket ([), closed bracket (]), followed by a space, and away you go. 🚀
  
  ## Linking to new notes from Jots mode
  Don't be discouraged by the lack of a formatting bar in Jots Mode - all usual Amplenote features are available here as well. To create a link to a new or existing note you can use the note linking @ syntax:
  > ![](https://images.amplenote.com/43301082-fb67-11ea-a4f3-1a263ad550a8/4103c444-696b-4e35-98f2-b96d829fcbb7.png) Learn more about note linking here: [Note linking guide (at @ and double-bracket [[ notation)](/help/double-bracket-note-link-syntax) . 
  
  Links to new notes you create will be automatically tagged with [the currently selected tag]() . If you want to prevent that, head over to this help section: [Using Double Brackets [[ for Note Creation/Linking#Preventing auto-tagging](/help/double-bracket-note-link-syntax#Preventing_auto-tagging) .
processedNoteContent: ---
  title: What is a "Jot" and how is it different from a ...
  tags: 
  ---
  Writing in Amplenote happens primarily between two modes that we provide in the left sidebar: "Jots" and "Notes." In Amplenote, every "jot" is a "note" and vice versa. The purpose of Jots mode is to facilitate simple, quick idea capture
  , [which is why it's the first step in the "Idea execution funnel."](https://www.amplenote.com)`
  Jots is great when you're trying to whip up the first draft of a document, or when you just want a scratchpad for the problem of the minute. But when you want to share your ideas with the world, it's common that you want to make editing passes on your original idea to improve language, add formatting, etc. This is where Notes mode shines. Notes mode -- with its formatting toolbar, ability to set multiple tags, and detailed per-note action menu -- is designed for taking the rough gems you created in Jots mode and polishing them into a form that lets them be consumed by the outside world. In this help article, we'll explore how they differ philosophically and effectually. 
  Purpose of Jots mode
  The purpose of "Jots" is to facilitate simple, quick idea capture
  . 🏃 When you're first sketching out an idea and its connections, Jots mode shines. It provides a zero-clutter, distraction-free place to write. As of September 2020, it looks like this when used in single-pane mode: Note the lack of formatting toolbar present in "Notes" mode. To apply formatting in Jots mode, use [keyboard shortcuts or markdown formatting](https://www.amplenote.com)`
   . 
  Using Jots mode
  Here are some tips on using Jots mode to its fullest. 
  Creating tasks (and other formatting) in Jots mode
  Since Jots mode doesn't include the formatting bar found in Notes mode, you will need to use [our markdown or shortcut keys](https://www.amplenote.com)`
    to effect formatting in Jots mode.
  December 2021 saw the addition of the formatting toolbar 🎉: [Notes & Writing#Using the formatting toolbar](/help/notes_and_writing_other_settings#Using_the_formatting_toolbar)
   Select text written in your jot to see the available formatting options.
  That said, you can still use the powerful [Keyboard Shortcuts & Markdown Syntax Examples](/help/keyboard_shortcuts_and_markdown_syntax_examples)
    to format your notes. The most common type of formatting that users are after in Jots mode is formatting as a task
  . You can create a task in Jots mode by typing []  followed by whatever you want the task to be. That is: open bracket ([), closed bracket (]), followed by a space, and away you go. 🚀 
  Linking to new notes from Jots mode
  Don't be discouraged by the lack of a formatting bar in Jots Mode - all usual Amplenote features are available here as well. To create a link to a new or existing note you can use the note linking @ syntax:  Learn more about note linking here: [Note linking guide (at @ and double-bracket [ notation) .
  Links to new notes you create will be automatically tagged with [the currently selected tag]()
   . If you want to prevent that, head over to this help section: [Using Double Brackets [ [ for Note Creation/Linking#Preventing auto-tagging](/help/double-bracket-note-link-syntax#Preventing_auto-tagging)
   .
noteTitle: What is a "Jot" and how is it different from a "Note"?