--- title: "Copy, export and share" description: "Choose an output for the person or tool receiving your writing." canonical: https://editmd.app/docs/exports/ markdown: https://editmd.app/docs/exports.md status: pre-release, waiting list open generated: editmd-website --- # Copy, export and share Choose an output for the person or tool receiving your writing. ## Keep the Markdown original Your **.md** file is the editable source. Export creates another representation for a particular use. Keep the original and its attachments so you can return to the writing later. ## Choose the right output | Destination | Use | What to check | | --------------------------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | Another Markdown editor | Markdown | Include local attachments and preserve relative paths. | | A text field or message | Plain text copy | Formatting becomes ordinary readable text. | | Pasting into a web editor | HTML copy | Structure is preserved; destination styling may change it. | | A styled web document | HTML file export | Includes highlighted code, math and diagrams. | | A rich-text app | RTF copy | A practical subset; not every block is preserved identically. | | A document to read or print | PDF | Check page breaks, wide tables and diagrams. | | An image of the document | PNG | One image of the whole document. Check size and small text. | | An ebook reader | ePub | Check layout in the target reader. | | A word-processing workflow | DOCX | Review conversion of complex formatting. | **Copy** offers Markdown, plain text, HTML and RTF. **Export** offers HTML, Markdown, PDF, PNG, ePub and DOCX. The two menus do not offer the same formats. ## Understand rich output Rich output carries formatting or a rendered appearance along with your words. Choose it when a recipient needs to read, print or reuse the finished document. Keep Markdown when they need to continue working with its source. | Format | What it gives you | Important differences | | --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | HTML copy | Headings, paragraphs, lists and other document structure for pasting | Mermaid stays as source code. Syntax-highlighting styles are not embedded. The receiving app controls how pasted HTML looks. | | HTML file | A styled web document with highlighted code, KaTeX math and Mermaid diagrams | Check it in a browser, including any images. It is a separate exported file. | | PDF | A document for reading and printing, with styled code, math and diagrams | Created through the system print dialog. Page breaks and wide content need a final check. | | PNG | One image of the whole rendered document | There is no per-block or per-diagram image export; crop the image if you need part of it. The recipient cannot edit its words as document text; share a text version when they need one. | | RTF copy | Basic rich text for a compatible destination | Tables, images, math, diagrams, footnotes and alerts may be flattened or omitted. | | DOCX | A document to continue editing in a word processor | A basic conversion: tables, images, math, diagrams, links and alerts may be simplified or omitted. | | ePub | An ebook with styled prose and inline Mermaid SVG diagrams | Math and SVG support depend on the ebook reader. Test in the intended reader. | For example, export a **PDF** for a meeting handout, a **DOCX** for a colleague who will revise the prose, or **HTML** for a styled technical note containing code and diagrams. For a slide, export a **PNG** of the document and crop to the part you need; check that diagram labels stay readable. For reusable source, share **Markdown** with its local attachments. ## Preview features and file formats Tables, task lists, code highlighting, KaTeX math, Mermaid diagrams, footnotes, alerts and highlighted text are features of a document's content. HTML, PDF and DOCX are output formats. A feature that works in editmd's preview does not necessarily have an equivalent in every output format. Use [Write and format](/docs/writing/#math-diagrams-and-notes) to create these blocks, then choose the output above for your recipient. A Mermaid block is diagram source inside a Markdown file; it is not a separate export-menu format. ## Export a document 1. Save the Markdown source. 2. Open the **Share** menu and choose an export format. 3. Read any format-specific guidance shown by the app. 4. Choose a destination and finish saving the output. 5. Open that output in the app your recipient will use and check it before sending. For PDF, use the macOS print dialog and choose its PDF saving option. Inspect the print preview before saving. ## Images and advanced blocks Remote resources are blocked during export, even if remote preview images are enabled. Use local attachments when an image must be included, then verify the resulting file. Math, diagrams, wide tables and custom highlights are worth checking in every target format. DOCX and RTF are practical conversions rather than promises of an identical preview layout. ## Share intentionally Saving or exporting does not send the document to another person. Attach the output to your chosen message or sharing tool. Check that the document contains only the information you intend to share. Group: Using editmd. Handbook index: https://editmd.app/docs.md