diff --git a/content/manuals/compose/how-tos/environment-variables/variable-interpolation.md b/content/manuals/compose/how-tos/environment-variables/variable-interpolation.md
index 820836559b4..516e2f27c03 100644
--- a/content/manuals/compose/how-tos/environment-variables/variable-interpolation.md
+++ b/content/manuals/compose/how-tos/environment-variables/variable-interpolation.md
@@ -130,9 +130,13 @@ The following syntax rules apply to environment files:
 - Blank lines are ignored.
 - Unquoted and double-quoted (`"`) values have interpolation applied.
 - Each line represents a key-value pair. Values can optionally be quoted.
+- Delimiter separating key and value can be either `=` or `:`.
+- Spaces before and after value are ignored.
   - `VAR=VAL` -> `VAL`
   - `VAR="VAL"` -> `VAL`
   - `VAR='VAL'` -> `VAL`
+  - `VAR: VAL` -> `VAL`
+  - `VAR = VAL  ` -> `VAL` <!-- markdownlint-disable-line no-space-in-code -->
 - Inline comments for unquoted values must be preceded with a space.
   - `VAR=VAL # comment` -> `VAL`
   - `VAR=VAL# not a comment` -> `VAL# not a comment`
diff --git a/content/reference/compose-file/services.md b/content/reference/compose-file/services.md
index c3acb191bd8..2e2d319af88 100644
--- a/content/reference/compose-file/services.md
+++ b/content/reference/compose-file/services.md
@@ -688,9 +688,13 @@ Each line in an `.env` file must be in `VAR[=[VAL]]` format. The following synta
 - Blank lines are ignored.
 - Unquoted and double-quoted (`"`) values have [Interpolation](interpolation.md) applied.
 - Each line represents a key-value pair. Values can optionally be quoted.
+- Delimiter separating key and value can be either `=` or `:`.
+- Spaces before and after value are ignored.
   - `VAR=VAL` -> `VAL`
   - `VAR="VAL"` -> `VAL`
   - `VAR='VAL'` -> `VAL`
+  - `VAR: VAL` -> `VAL`
+  - `VAR = VAL  ` -> `VAL` <!-- markdownlint-disable-line no-space-in-code -->
 - Inline comments for unquoted values must be preceded with a space.
   - `VAR=VAL # comment` -> `VAL`
   - `VAR=VAL# not a comment` -> `VAL# not a comment`