Jupyter Notebook and Markdown

Let’s Do Digital Team

What is Jupyter Notebook?

  • Jupyter Notebook is an interactive tool for writing and running code
  • Used mostly for Python but supports other languages
  • Combines code, text, and visualizations in one place
  • Widely used for data science, research, and teaching

Key Features of Jupyter Notebook

  • Write and execute code in small sections (cells)
  • Mix code with explanations, images, and graphs
  • Easy to visualise data with built-in support for plots
  • Share work with others in a readable format

Common Jupyter Notebook Tasks

  • Run a cell: Select it and press Shift + Enter
  • Add text: Use Markdown in a new cell and change it to ‘Markdown’ mode
  • View results instantly: Print or plot results directly in the notebook
  • Save your work: Notebooks are saved as .ipynb files

Why Use Jupyter Notebook?

  • Great for learning, experimenting, and prototyping
  • Interactive: Run code and see results step by step
  • Easy to combine code with explanations and visuals
  • Ideal for data analysis, machine learning, and teaching

Start up a Codespace session

Close Codespace tab

Open up JupyterLab

What is Markdown?

  • Markdown is a simple way to format text
  • You can use it to write headings, lists, and more
  • Useful for adding explanations and notes in Jupyter Notebooks
  • Supports basic formatting without complex code

Key Markdown Elements

  • Headings: Use # for titles (e.g., # Heading 1)
  • Bold/Italic: Use **bold** or *italic*
  • Lists: Create bullet points with * or numbered lists with 1.
  • Links/Images: Use [text](url) for links and ![alt text](image_url) for images

Common Markdown Tasks in Jupyter

  • Add a Markdown cell: Change the cell type to ‘Markdown’
  • Format text: Type Markdown code and run the cell to see the formatted result
  • Create headings, lists, or add links easily
  • Combine Markdown with code cells to create clean, well-documented notebooks

Why Use Markdown in Jupyter?

  • Makes your notebook readable with clear explanations
  • Organise your notebook with sections, lists, and links
  • Perfect for combining code, results, and explanations in one place
  • No need for external software to write documentation

Make a cell ready for Markdown