Formatoilla

Formatoilla is a term used to describe a family of lightweight, text-based document formats designed for easy editing and broad interoperability. It emphasizes human readability and minimal markup, aiming to be simpler to parse than heavier formatting systems while retaining enough structure for basic document organization.

The term combines formato and the diminutive suffix -illa in Spanish, signaling a small or simple format. It is largely informal and appears mainly in Spanish-speaking online communities rather than as an official standard.

Formatoilla documents are typically plain text with a small set of structural markers. A header block for metadata (title, author, date) often precedes the main content, which uses simple block indicators for headings, lists, and emphasis. Metadata may be encoded in a YAML-like front matter or as straightforward key-value lines.

Originating in informal online publishing and wiki circles in the 2010s and 2020s, formatoilla has no formal specification. Multiple implementations exist, and the format is used for note-taking, quick documentation, and educational materials. Its portability makes it easy to convert to HTML, PDF, or other formats with lightweight processors.

Compared with Markdown and similar lightweight markup languages, formatoilla tends to offer fewer built-in features and a smaller, more opinionated syntax, prioritizing simplicity and readability across platforms.

Related formats include Markdown, AsciiDoc, and reStructuredText.