Common Mistakes
A quick reference for the most frequent content formatting errors — and how to fix them.
1. Forgetting the closing :::
Applies to: content boxes, offset layouts.
Wrong:
:::box #fed
Important notice: please read before applying.Right:
:::box #fed
Important notice: please read before applying.
:::What happens: Without the closing ::: on its own line, the box or layout never closes. Everything that follows may disappear from the page, render inside the box, or cause the entire section to break.
Fix: Always add ::: on its own blank line at the end of the block.
2. Wrong hex color format in content boxes
Applies to: :::box.
Wrong: :::box yellow, :::box #12345, :::box #gggggg
Right: :::box #fed, :::box #ffeecc
What happens: An invalid color code causes the box to either not appear at all or render with a fallback color.
Fix: Hex colors must start with # and contain exactly 3 or 6 characters using only numbers 0–9 and letters a–f. Color names like “yellow” don’t work — use the hex code.
3. Spaces in the wrong places
Applies to: float markers, size keywords.
Wrong: { float-left }, ![Photo - medium]
Right: {float-left}, ![Photo-medium]
What happens: An unexpected space breaks the syntax. The float or image size won’t be recognized and the formatting will be ignored.
Fix: Keep these markers tight — no spaces inside {}, no spaces around the hyphen in the alt text size keyword.
4. Putting content on the same line as ::: directives
Applies to: :::box, :::right-offset, :::left-offset.
Wrong: :::box #fed Important note: read this!
Safer approach:
:::box #fed
Important note: read this!
:::What happens: The relaxed single-line syntax is supported but fragile. Using the multi-line approach (opening ::: on its own line, content below, closing ::: on its own line) is more reliable and easier to read.
5. No blank lines inside block components
Applies to: :::box, :::right-offset, :::left-offset.
Wrong:
:::box #fed
Important text here.
:::Right:
:::box #fed
Important text here.
:::What happens: Without blank lines, the content inside the block may not be parsed as formatted text — lists, headings, and bold text can fail to render.
Fix: Always leave a blank line after the opening directive and before the closing :::.
6. Blank line between image and float marker
Applies to: {float-left}, {float-right}.
Wrong:
{float-left}Right:
{float-left}What happens: The float marker must be on the line immediately after the image with no blank line between them. A blank line breaks the connection and the image won’t float.
Quick Reference Checklist
Before publishing, check:
- Every
:::boxor:::offsetblock has a closing:::on its own line - Hex colors start with
#and are 3 or 6 characters long - No spaces inside
{float-left}/{float-right}markers -
<youtube-embed>has just the video ID, not the full URL - Blank lines inside all block components