Create Beautiful Documents

Good formatting transforms raw text into professional, readable documents. Cicero provides all the tools you need to style your content effectively.

Text Styling Basics

Bold

Use bold for emphasis and key terms. Select text and click the B button or use Ctrl/Cmd + B.

Best for:

• Important concepts
• Key takeaways
• Names and titles

Italic

Use italics for subtle emphasis, titles, or foreign phrases. Select text and click the I button or use Ctrl/Cmd + I.

Best for:

• Book and article titles
• Foreign words
• Light emphasis

Underline

Underline text for additional emphasis. Select text and click the U button or use Ctrl/Cmd + U.

Note: Use sparingly in digital documents, as underlined text often indicates links.

Strikethrough

Show deleted or outdated information with strikethrough. Useful for:

• Showing edits and revisions
• Indicating completed tasks
• Marking deprecated information

Superscript

Raise text above the baseline for:

• Footnote references
• Mathematical exponents
• Trademark symbols

Text Colors and Highlights

Text Color

Change the color of your text to:

• Draw attention to specific content
• Create visual hierarchy
• Match brand guidelines

Highlight

Add background color to text for:

• Emphasizing critical information
• Marking content for review
• Creating visual distinction

Headings and Structure

Proper heading hierarchy makes documents scannable and organized.

Heading Levels

• H1 - Main document title (use once)
• H2 - Major sections
• H3 - Subsections
• H4 and below - Further subdivisions

Using the Block Menu

Click the block insertion button to access heading options, or use the "Turn Into" feature to convert existing text to headings.

Lists

Numbered Lists

Use for sequential or ranked items:

1. First step
2. Second step
3. Third step

Bullet Lists

Use for non-sequential items:

• Feature one
• Feature two
• Feature three

Todo Lists

Create interactive checklists:

• Completed item (checked)
• Pending item (unchecked)

Toggle Lists

Create collapsible sections for:

• FAQ items
• Detailed explanations
• Optional content

Alignment

Control text positioning:

• Left align - Standard for body text
• Center - Titles, quotes, captions
• Right align - Dates, signatures
• Justify - Formal documents (use sparingly)

Spacing

Line Height

Adjust space between lines for readability:

• Tight - Compact documents
• Normal - Standard reading
• Relaxed - Easy reading, presentations

Indentation

Control paragraph indentation:

• Increase - Move text right
• Decrease - Move text left

Tables

Insert tables for structured data:

Blockquotes

Use for quotations or callouts:

This is a blockquote. It stands out from regular text and is perfect for highlighting important quotes or key takeaways.

AI-Assisted Formatting

Ask Cicero Intern to format for you:

"Make all section titles bold"

"Convert this text to a numbered list"

"Add a heading called 'Summary' before the last paragraph"

Formatting Best Practices

Consistency is key: Use the same formatting for similar elements throughout your document.

Less is more: Don't overuse bold, colors, or highlights. They lose impact when overused.

Use hierarchy: Proper heading structure helps readers navigate and understand your document.

Consider your audience: Formal documents need conservative formatting; creative content allows more freedom.

Test readability: Step back and review your document. Is it easy to scan? Are key points visible?

Practice Your Formatting Skills

The best way to master formatting is hands-on practice. Open the Cicero Editor and create a beautifully formatted document using the techniques in this guide.