Printable checklist maker — tick-box lists with sections and notes

How to use the printable checklist maker

1. Give the list a Title, such as “Moving house checklist”.
2. In Items (one per line; start a line with # for a section), type each task on its own line. Add # Section name lines to group them.
3. Choose whether you want a Notes column and a Date line, pick an Accent colour for the headings and the line under the title, and set Paper size to A4 or US Letter.
4. Check the counts and the preview, which update as you type.
5. Press Print / Save as PDF, or copy or download the Markdown (paste into notes apps) version as checklist.md.

What it does and when to use it

A paper checklist is still the easiest way to share a routine: pinned to a fridge, handed to a new starter, or clipped to a clipboard on an inspection. This tool takes care of the layout so you only type the items. It works for packing lists, cleaning rotas, event set-up, opening and closing routines, and moving house.

For tasks you want to tick on screen, use the to-do list maker instead. A kanban board suits work with several stages, and the weekly planner gives each task a time slot.

How it works

Your text is read line by line. Empty lines are ignored, lines starting with # become section headings, and every other line becomes an item after any leading bullet or checkbox is removed. The tool counts items and sections and builds two outputs.

The printable page has the title at the top left, “Date: ________________” at the right if you asked for it, then one table per section. Each row has a 5 mm square tick box, the item text and, if chosen, a notes cell. Margins are 16 mm. The Markdown copy writes the title as #, each section as ## and each item as - [ ].

Worked examples

The preset moving list. Two sections and six items give Items: 6 and Sections: 2, and this Markdown:

# Moving house checklist

## Four weeks before

- [ ] Book removal van
- [ ] Notify bank and employer of new address
- [ ] Start packing rarely used rooms

## Moving day

- [ ] Take meter readings
- [ ] Check every cupboard is empty
- [ ] Hand over keys

A pasted packing list. Title “Camping kit”, with Notes column and Date line off, and these lines: - [x] Tent, * Sleeping bag, + Head torch, 1. Stove. The result has 4 items and no sections:

# Camping kit

- [ ] Tent
- [ ] Sleeping bag
- [ ] Head torch
- [ ] 1. Stove

The bullets and the [x] are gone, but “1.” stays because numbers are treated as text.

Limits and tips

• A long list flows onto further pages when printed. Check the print preview before printing many copies.
• Keep each item to one line. Short items leave room for the notes column.