Output Formatting in AI

From the AI Prompting cheat sheet · Basic Prompting Techniques · verified Jul 2026

Output Formatting

Control the structure and presentation of responses

javascript
NAME: Custom Output Formats
PURPOSE: Define specific formats for consistent, usable outputs
TEMPLATE:
Please provide your response in the following format:

[FORMAT SPECIFICATION]

Example structure:
"""
[EXAMPLE OF DESIRED OUTPUT]
"""

Use these markers:
- [MARKER 1]: [WHAT IT INDICATES]
- [MARKER 2]: [WHAT IT INDICATES]
- [FORMATTING RULE]
EXAMPLE:
Please provide your response in the following format:

**Section Name**
- Key Point: Brief explanation
- Key Point: Brief explanation

Example structure:
"""
**Benefits**
- Cost Reduction: 30% decrease in operational expenses
- Efficiency: 2x faster processing time
"""

Use these markers:
- Bold (**text**) for section headers
- Bullet points for individual items
- Colon to separate point from explanation
OUTPUT:
**Technical Advantages**
- Performance: 10x faster query execution through optimized indexing
- Scalability: Horizontal scaling supports millions of concurrent users
- Reliability: 99.99% uptime with automated failover

**Business Benefits**
- Cost Savings: 40% reduction in infrastructure costs
- Time to Market: Deploy new features 3x faster
- Customer Satisfaction: 25% increase in user retention

**Implementation Requirements**
- Team Size: 3-5 developers for 6 months
- Budget: $200K initial investment
- Training: 2-week onboarding for existing staff
⚡ Provide example of exact format wanted
🎯 Use consistent markers and delimiters
💡 Request specific data structures (JSON, Markdown, CSV)

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