Export your writing

Export is available in the desktop app. Markdown is useful for continuing to edit in another tool; HTML is useful for opening a document in a browser; PDF is useful for sharing a paginated copy.

A Markdown document export produces a .md file with frontmatter. HTML produces a standalone, self-contained .html file. PDF produces a paginated .pdf file. These are copies, so exporting does not move or remove your originals.

You can export from the open document’s … menu or from the document’s menu in the sidebar.

1. Open the document you want to export, or find it in the sidebar.
2. Open its … actions menu (open document) or its More actions menu in the sidebar, and choose Export as….
3. Select Markdown, HTML, or PDF and choose Export.
4. Choose a filename and location in the save dialog. Open the exported file to check it.

A Markdown library export is a ZIP containing Markdown folders, linked attachments, and an export report. It includes archived documents, so review its contents before sharing it. HTML and PDF library exports create one file per document.

1. Open the library name at the top of the sidebar.
2. Choose Export library….
3. Choose a format, select Export, and complete the save dialog.
4. Review the output and any warnings, especially for custom blocks, media, and internal links.

Formats have different capabilities. Do not expect an exported file to retain every interactive block or app-specific behavior. Check important documents in the app that will open them.

For portable Markdown with linked attachments, use the library ZIP export rather than relying on an individual .md file. Keep the exported folders and attachments together after extracting the ZIP.

Export helps you share or move writing into other tools. For recovery of your Ligature library, also keep an independent backup of the entire library and use restore points. Do not replace your only library copy with an export.