How to migrate with Content Formatting Macros: the ultimate guide
We've created modern, quick-to-use macros that achieve the same or even better results as the macros you use in Confluence Server or Data Center.
Migrating to Confluence Cloud can feel overwhelming, but when it comes to Content Formatting Macros, we’ve got everything you need in Cloud so your pages will work just as well as they did before - maybe even better.
Because Confluence Cloud works differently to Server/Data Center, we've had to change the way some of our macros work. That's why we've created this handy macro migration guide to make content creation and migration easier for you.
Here, we’ll cover every macro that is automatically included in the new Cloud editor, which macros aren't available, and how to create the same or better versions of Content Formatting Macros in Confluence Cloud.
Click below to learn more:
- Macros built into Confluence Cloud
- Cloud versions of your favourite macros:
- Alternative macro solutions:
- Alternatives for Lozenge
- Alternatives for Clickable
- Alternatives for Message Box
- Alternatives for Highlight
- Alternatives for Fancy Bullets
- Alternatives for CSS Style Sheet
- Macros not available in Confluence Cloud
Server/Data Center macros built into Confluence Cloud
Server/Data Center macros built into Confluence Cloud
Some Content Formatting Macros automatically come built into the new Cloud editor, including:
- Align
- Center
- Div
- Iframe
- Ordered List
- Paragraph
- Search Box
- Span
- Strikethrough
- Table Layouts
- Unordered List
As well as these, we have plenty of exciting new alternatives that will easily replace your favourite Server/Data Center macros. Click here to learn more.
Cloud versions of your favourite Confluence macros
We've created modern, quick-to-use macros that achieve the same or even better results as the macros you use in Confluence Server or Data Center.
Alert
Now you can add images and choose from pre-made alert templates, making the Alert macro easier to use and more engaging than ever.
Alert macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Alert macro
Confluence Cloud
Alert macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Alert macro
Confluence Cloud
Tabs
The Tabs macro comes with a variety of customisation options to style tabs however you want.
You can also easily use it in place of the Horizontal Navigation macro available in Server/Data Center.
Tabs macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Tabs macro
Confluence Cloud
Tabs macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Tabs macro
Confluence Cloud
Background
Highlight content with the Background macro in Cloud.
Find the perfect background colour with the colour picker, upload your own background image, or choose a high-quality stock image with the built-in Pexels library.
Background macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Background macro
Confluence Cloud
Background macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Background macro
Confluence Cloud
Progress Bar
In Confluence Cloud, the Progress Bar macro is sleeker and more modern, making your pages feel clean and professional.
Progress Bar macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Progress Bar macro
Confluence Cloud
Progress Bar macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Progress Bar macro
Confluence Cloud
Tooltip
In Cloud, Tooltips are more engaging and easier to spot on your Confluence pages, helping users understand technical content and jargon easier.
Tooltip macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Tooltip macro
Confluence Cloud
Tooltip macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Tooltip macro
Confluence Cloud
LaTeX
LaTeX in Confluence Cloud displays just the same as it does in Server/Data Center.
Thanks to our user-friendly LaTeX editor in Cloud, you can even see your formula before you publish the page.
LaTeX macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
LaTeX macro
Confluence Cloud
LaTeX macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
LaTeX macro
Confluence Cloud
BibTeX
BibTeX is just as easy to create in Confluence Cloud and the results display exactly the same as you'd expect in Server/Data Center.
BibTeX macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
BibTeX macro
Confluence Cloud
BibTeX macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
BibTeX macro
Confluence Cloud
Dialog
With a user-friendly editor, we've made it easier than ever to create engaging pop-up dialogs in Confluence.
Dialog macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Dialog macro
Confluence Cloud
Dialog macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Dialog macro
Confluence Cloud
Footnotes
Footnotes are just as easy to insert and display as in Confluence Server/Data Center.
Footnotes macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Footnotes macro
Confluence Cloud
Footnotes macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Footnotes macro
Confluence Cloud
Button/Button Group
Buttons are more customisable and interactive in Confluence Cloud, with the option to display buttons horizontally and vertically and choose icons from built-in Emoji, Font Awesome, and Material Design libraries.
Buttons/Button Group macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Buttons/Button Group macro
Confluence Cloud
Buttons/Button Group macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Buttons/Button Group macro
Confluence Cloud
Alternative macro solutions
Lozenge
Lozenges provide an interactive, visual way of linking to other content. Users can replicate this functionality in Cloud with Buttons, Interactive Banner, and Advanced Cards macros.
Of the three options, Advanced Cards look the most similar and use a similar format to Lozenges.
Lozenge macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Lozenge macro
Confluence Cloud solutions:
- Button and Button Group
- Interactive Banner
- Advanced Cards
Lozenge macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Lozenge macro
Confluence Cloud solutions:
- Button and Button Group
- Interactive Banner
- Advanced Cards
Clickable
The Clickable macro lets you turn content inside it into a clickable link. With Buttons and Advanced Cards, users can achieve a similar effect.
It's also possible to link text using Confluence Cloud's built-in Link tool, though you can't include images this way.
Clickable macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Clickable macro
Confluence Cloud solutions:
- Button
- Advanced Cards
Clickable macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Clickable macro
Confluence Cloud solutions:
- Button
- Advanced Cards
Message Box
The Message Box macro lets you add an Atlassian-styled highlighted message box to your page. Users can replicate this functionality in Cloud with Background and Advanced Cards macros.
You can also use built-in Confluence Cloud features, such as the Panel macro, to create a similar highlighted message box.
Message Box macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Message Box macro
Confluence Cloud solutions:
- Background
- Advanced Cards
Message Box macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Message Box macro
Confluence Cloud solutions:
- Background
- Advanced Cards
Highlight
The Highlight macro changes the background color of a section of content. In Cloud, the Background macro can be used to help messages stand out on a page.
It's also possible to highlight text using built-in Confluence Cloud features, such as the Panel macro.
Highlight macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Highlight macro
Confluence Cloud solution: Background
Highlight macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Highlight macro
Confluence Cloud solution: Background
Fancy Bullets
Fancy Bullets provide an easy way to use different bullet types or images for your bullet lists. While not exactly the same, the effect can be recreated with Advanced Cards.
Fancy Bullets macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Cloud
Fancy Bullets macro
Confluence Cloud solution: Advanced Cards
Fancy Bullets macro
Confluence Server/Data Center
Fancy Bullets macro
Confluence Cloud solution: Advanced Cards
CSS Style Sheet
The CSS Style Sheet macro isn't available in Confluence Cloud, but it's still possible to create engaging, visual content on your pages using the following Content Formatting Macros and more.
To hide your page settings in Cloud, you can achieve this with our app Guided Pathways for Confluence.
Confluence Cloud solutions:
- Button Group and Buttons
- Tabs
- Advanced Cards
- Interactive Banner
Some macros aren't currently available due to Confluence Cloud's limitations. These include:
- Copyright
- HTML Comment
- HTML Image
- Pre Tag
- Privacy Mark and Policy
- Registered Trademarks
- RESTful Table
- Rollover
- Service Marks
- Trademarks
If you need any of these macros, fill out our feedback form, and we'll consider adding it to our roadmap.
