Summary
Add a visual (WYSIWYG) editor to Canvas that enables users to format and structure content directly, without relying on assistant-generated formatting. This would allow for more intuitive document creation, faster error correction, and greater layout control.
Problem
Currently, Canvas supports Markdown-based formatting, which is powerful but often inaccessible or error-prone for users who want to quickly edit formatting generated by the assistant and need visual control over layout, indentation, headings, and lists
Although Canvas uses Markdown-style formatting, users are not given access to the raw Markdown source, nor are they provided with a WYSIWYG interface — leaving them unable to correct or refine formatting issues introduced by the assistant.
The assistant often outputs incorrect or inconsistent formatting in Canvas (e.g., broken tables, misplaced headers, mixed list levels), and users have no direct way to fix these easily without manually editing Markdown blocks.
Use Case / Context
I am using Canvas to draft a structured, longform document (e.g., book chapters, research, feature requests).
The Teams Assistant generates Markdown content that is partially correct but needs tweaking.
I would like to apply visual formatting using toolbar options (e.g., heading levels, table builder, bold/italic toggle) rather than relying on describing the document changes to the assistant.
Many open-source platforms (e.g., MediaWiki) have integrated WYSIWYG editors like VisualEditor that allow non-technical users to maintain complex document formatting using a clean, visual UI.
Requested Behavior
Add a built-in WYSIWYG editor to Canvas that:
Provides inline formatting tools (bold, italic, underline, heading levels, links)
Allows table creation and editing with visual controls
Supports inserting media or links
Offers undo/redo and simple block movement
Allow users to toggle between Markdown source and visual editing mode (similar to Medium, Notion, or VisualEditor)
Ensure compatibility with Markdown to preserve existing workflows
Optional enhancements:
Collaborative editing tools (track changes, comments)
Block-style editing interface like Notion or Coda
Implementation Notes (Optional)
Editors like MediaWiki’s VisualEditor or Toast UI Editor are open-source, actively maintained, and could be adapted.
Markdown support should remain, but visual editing should be an alternative, not a replacement.
Consider integrating content hygiene features (e.g., clean nested lists, remove broken table code)
Impact / Priority
High.
This feature would dramatically improve the usability and professionalism of Canvas for structured, document-heavy workflows.
It would reduce formatting errors, eliminate assistant-induced layout issues, and empower non-technical users to fully own their content.
Adding a WYSIWYG interface would make Canvas competitive with modern collaborative editors while preserving ChatGPT’s AI-generated document strengths.