# How to Add a Block Quote in Confluence (3 Methods Compared) August 5, 2026 · 5 min read [NGPilot](https://ngpilot.com) A **block quote** sets a passage apart from the surrounding text — usually indented with a left border — to indicate that the words are quoted from another source. Confluence does not have a dedicated "quote block" button, but there are three reliable ways to create one. This guide walks through each and helps you pick the right one. What you'll learn 1. The native method (toolbar Indent) — no app required 2. The Markdown method (`>` syntax) — fastest for keyboard users 3. The panel macro method (Content Formatting) — most styling control 4. How to nest quotes and add attribution ## Quick comparison[​](#quick-comparison "Direct link to Quick comparison") | Method | App needed | Styling | Best for | | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | Native Indent | None | Indent + left border | Quick, one-off quotes | | Markdown `>` | [Enhanced Markdown](/apps/enhanced-markdown-for-confluence.md) | Styled blockquote | Developers, keyboard-first writing | | Panel macro | [Content Formatting Macros](/apps/content-formatting-macros-page-builder-for-confluence.md) | Colors, borders, icons | Branded docs, emphasis | ## Method 1: Native Confluence indent (no app)[​](#method-1-native-confluence-indent-no-app "Direct link to Method 1: Native Confluence indent (no app)") This is the default way to create a quote-like block with the built-in editor. ### Steps[​](#steps "Direct link to Steps") 1. Open your Confluence page and click **Edit**. 2. Type or paste the text you want to quote. 3. Select the paragraph. 4. Click the **Indent** button in the toolbar (it looks like `→|`), or press **Tab**. The text shifts right and Confluence draws a light left border, giving it a quote appearance. ### Pros and cons[​](#pros-and-cons "Direct link to Pros and cons") * ✅ No installation required — works in every Confluence Cloud instance * ✅ Fast for a single short quote * ❌ Limited styling — no color, custom border, or background control * ❌ No built-in attribution field; you add the source manually * ❌ Pressing Tab once indents only one level ## Method 2: Markdown blockquote syntax (Enhanced Markdown)[​](#method-2-markdown-blockquote-syntax-enhanced-markdown "Direct link to Method 2: Markdown blockquote syntax (Enhanced Markdown)") If you write in Markdown — or paste content from GitHub, a README, or another wiki — the blockquote is a single character. ### Steps[​](#steps-1 "Direct link to Steps") 1. Install [Enhanced Markdown for Confluence](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1232856/enhanced-markdown-for-confluence) (free for up to 10 users). 2. On your page, type `/enhanced markdown` and insert the macro. 3. Type a greater-than sign and a space before the line: ``` > This is a block quote. It renders indented with a left border. >> This is a nested block quote — two greater-than signs. > This is a quote with attribution. > — Jane Doe, *Engineering Handbook* ``` 4. Click **Publish**. The blockquotes render as styled quote blocks. ### Why developers prefer this[​](#why-developers-prefer-this "Direct link to Why developers prefer this") * **Keyboard-first** — no mouse or toolbar needed * **Portable** — the same `>` syntax works in GitHub, Slack, and every Markdown renderer * **Nesting is trivial** — `>>` for level two, `>>>` for level three * **Mixes with other Markdown** — bold, italic, and links work inside the quote See the full syntax reference in the [Confluence Markdown editor FAQ](/blog/faq-confluence-markdown-editor.md). ## Method 3: Panel macro (Content Formatting Macros)[​](#method-3-panel-macro-content-formatting-macros "Direct link to Method 3: Panel macro (Content Formatting Macros)") For styled quotes — colored backgrounds, custom borders, icons — the [Content Formatting Macros](/apps/content-formatting-macros-page-builder-for-confluence.md) app includes a Panel macro: a callout container that holds any rich text, so your quote gets full styling control. ### Steps[​](#steps-2 "Direct link to Steps") 1. Install [Content Formatting Macros — Page Builder for Confluence](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/4209461142/content-formatting-macros-page-builder-for-confluence). 2. On your page, type `/panel` and select the macro. 3. Paste your quoted text into the macro body. 4. Configure the macro: pick a **style** (Info, Warning, Success, or Custom), set the **border position** and colors, and optionally add a **title** or **icon**. 5. Add the attribution (e.g. `— Jane Doe, Engineering Handbook`) as a final styled line inside the panel. 6. **Publish** the page. ### Best for[​](#best-for "Direct link to Best for") * Customer testimonials with branded styling * Important warnings or pull quotes in documentation * Pages where the quote needs to stand out visually ## How to nest blockquotes[​](#how-to-nest-blockquotes "Direct link to How to nest blockquotes") Nesting shows that a quote itself contains a quoted passage. * Markdown * Native editor * Macro ``` > Outer quote begins here. > >> This is the nested inner quote. > > Outer quote continues. ``` Select the inner line and press **Tab** a second time. Each Tab adds one indent level with its own left border. Place a second Panel macro inside the first and give it a different style (e.g. a Custom background) so the nesting stays visible. ## How to add attribution[​](#how-to-add-attribution "Direct link to How to add attribution") A good block quote names its source. The common pattern: ``` > "Simplicity is the soul of efficiency." > — Austin Freeman, *The Complete adventures of Dr. Thorndyke* ``` For customer testimonials, wrap the quote in a [Content Formatting](/apps/content-formatting-macros-page-builder-for-confluence.md) Panel macro and type the attribution as the last line inside the panel — you control its color and styling directly. ## Which method should you use?[​](#which-method-should-you-use "Direct link to Which method should you use?") * **You just need one quick quote and have no apps installed** → Method 1 (native indent). * **You write in Markdown or paste from GitHub/READMEs** → Method 2 ([Enhanced Markdown](/apps/enhanced-markdown-for-confluence.md) `>` syntax). * **You need branded colors, borders, or a testimonial block** → Method 3 ([Content Formatting Panel macro](/apps/content-formatting-macros-page-builder-for-confluence.md)). ## Related resources[​](#related-resources "Direct link to Related resources") * [Enhanced Markdown for Confluence](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1232856/enhanced-markdown-for-confluence) | [documentation](/apps/enhanced-markdown-for-confluence.md) * [Content Formatting Macros — Page Builder](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/4209461142/content-formatting-macros-page-builder-for-confluence) | [documentation](/apps/content-formatting-macros-page-builder-for-confluence.md) * [Confluence Markdown editor FAQ](/blog/faq-confluence-markdown-editor.md) * [How to write Markdown in Confluence](/blog/how-to-write-markdown-in-confluence.md) ## More formatting guides[​](#more-formatting-guides "Direct link to More formatting guides") * [Confluence Markdown tables](/blog/confluence-markdown-tables.md) — Pipe-table syntax and merged cells * [Auto-number Confluence headings](/blog/auto-number-headings-confluence.md) — Automatic section numbering * [Best Confluence apps for developers](/blog/best-confluence-apps-developers.md) — Curated tooling list ## Related guides * [How to Create Mermaid Diagrams in Jira](/blog/how-to-create-mermaid-diagrams-jira.md) * [Export Jira Issues to Excel or CSV](/blog/export-jira-issues-to-excel.md) * [Bulk Download Jira Attachments](/blog/bulk-download-jira-attachments.md) * [How to Migrate Confluence Content](/blog/how-to-migrate-confluence-content.md) Explore NGPILOT[Browse Solutions](/solutions.md)[All Apps](/apps.md)[Atlassian Marketplace →](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/vendors/1226848/?utm_source=ngpilot.com\&utm_medium=blog\&utm_campaign=hub-links) **Tags:** * [confluence](/blog/tags/confluence.md) * [markdown](/blog/tags/markdown.md) * [formatting](/blog/tags/formatting.md) * [blockquote](/blog/tags/blockquote.md) * [enhanced-markdown](/blog/tags/enhanced-markdown.md) * [content-formatting](/blog/tags/content-formatting.md)