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How do I open in source editor in Confluence?

Published in Confluence Editing 3 mins read

To open the source editor in Confluence, simply click the source editor button conveniently located in the top-right corner of any editable page. This button is typically represented by an icon resembling code or angle brackets (<>), allowing you to view and modify the underlying source code of your content.

Understanding the Confluence Source Editor

The Confluence Source Editor provides direct access to the underlying storage format of your page, blog post, or comment. This is particularly useful for advanced users who need to make precise adjustments that might not be possible through the standard visual editor, such as fixing complex formatting issues, embedding custom HTML, or manipulating macros directly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing the Source Editor

Accessing the source editor is a straightforward process, provided you have the necessary permissions.

  1. Navigate to an Editable Page: Open the Confluence page, blog post, or comment you wish to edit.
  2. Enter Edit Mode: Click the "Edit" button to put the content into editing mode.
  3. Locate the Source Editor Button: Look for the source editor button in the top-right corner of the editing interface. It often appears as an icon that looks like code or a pair of angle brackets (<>).
  4. Click the Button: Click this icon to switch from the visual editor to the source editor.

Once in the source editor, you will see the content represented in Confluence's storage format (XHTML-based). After making your changes, you can switch back to the visual editor or save your modifications directly.

What You Can Edit

The source editor is versatile and can be used across various content types within Confluence:

  • Pages: The primary content units where most information resides.
  • Blog Posts: For editing article-style content.
  • Comments: Even comments can have their source code edited for specific formatting needs.

Prerequisites for Source Editing

To successfully open and use the Confluence source editor, you must meet a few essential requirements:

  • Logged In: You must be logged into your Confluence instance. Anonymous users cannot access editing functionalities.
  • Editing Privileges: You need to have sufficient permissions to edit the specific Confluence page, blog post, or comment. If you only have "view" permissions, the edit options, including the source editor, will not be available.

Quick Reference for Source Editor Access

For a swift overview, here’s a table summarizing how to access the Confluence source editor:

Action Location Applicable Content Requirements
Click Source Editor Button Top-right corner of any editable page Pages, Blog Posts, Comments Must be logged in and have editing privileges