How to add checkboxes in Jupyter Markdown

Want a simple way to track your tasks and progress inside Jupyter notebooks?

Adding checkboxes in Markdown cells is a neat trick that makes your notebooks more organized and interactive-looking – without any extra tools.

✅ Takeaways:

Use - [ ] for an empty checkbox and - [x] for a checked box.
Checkboxes are static visuals, not interactive.
This Markdown syntax works in Jupyter Notebook, JupyterLab, VSCode notebooks, and GitHub.
Great for to-do lists, project tracking, and tutorials.

Step 1: Open a Markdown Cell

Start by adding a new Markdown cell in your Jupyter Notebook. You can do this by clicking the plus button and then changing the cell type to Markdown, or by pressing M while in command mode.

Step 2: Write Your Checkboxes Using Markdown Syntax

Type your list using GitHub-Flavored Markdown checkbox syntax. Use - [ ] for an unchecked box and - [x] for a checked box. Here’s a quick example:

- [ ] Import data  
- [x] Clean data  
- [ ] Analyze results

Make sure you include a space after the brackets for it to render properly.

Step 3: Run the Cell

Execute the Markdown cell by pressing Shift + Enter. Your list will display with checkboxes next to each item:

Import data
Clean data
Analyze results

Step 4: Create Nested Checkboxes (Optional)

If you want to organize tasks and subtasks, indent your checkboxes with spaces:

- [ ] Data Pipeline  
    - [x] Extract  
    - [ ] Transform  
    - [ ] Load

This creates a main task with nested subtasks underneath.

💡 Tips for Using Checkboxes

Checkboxes are visual only and cannot be toggled by clicking—you need to edit the Markdown manually.
Always keep a space after the brackets for correct rendering.
This syntax works consistently across Jupyter Notebook, JupyterLab, VSCode notebooks, and GitHub.

Summary

Markdown Syntax	Output
`- [ ]`	Unchecked box
`- [x]`	Checked box

Using checkboxes in Jupyter Markdown is an easy way to add structure and clarity to your notebooks. Whether you’re managing tasks, teaching concepts, or tracking your workflow, this simple syntax can make your work clearer and more engaging.