In the iOS 26 update, Apple added a long-awaited feature to the Notes app: the ability to import and export Markdown files. This addition represents a qualitative leap for developers, writers, and content creators, as it makes it easier for them to use the Markdown format directly within the app and integrate their work into the Apple ecosystem without the need for plug-ins or other third-party applications. What is Markdown? And why is it so important?
What is Markdown and why is it popular?
Markdown is simply an easy way to write text and add formatting like headings, bold, or lists using simple keyboard symbols, rather than relying on complex buttons or menus. For example:
◉ If you want to write an address, put a # sign before it.
◉ If you want to put a word in bold, put it between two stars like this: **Important word**
◉ If you want a bulleted list, write a dash before each item like this: - first item, - second item.
The resulting text will be beautifully formatted when viewed, but the file itself remains plain text and can be opened with any text editor. That's why it's so widely used by writers and programmers, as it combines simplicity with the ability to convert it into a formatted document for publishing or display.
The power of Markdown lies in its ability to combine the readability of plain text with the ability to transform it into formatted, professional content upon export. This is why it has become popular among programmers and writers alike, as we mentioned.
How does Markdown support work in Notes?
The new feature in the Notes app works both ways:
◉ Import: You can import ready-made Markdown files into the application while preserving formatting such as headings, links, and lists.
◉ Export: Notes written within the app can be converted to Markdown files for use in other apps.
It's important to note that the Notes app doesn't display Markdown formatting while you type; it continues to display text in its normal format. The conversion only occurs during import or export, and the text appears in its original format when opened outside the app.
Steps to import Markdown files into Notes
Find the .md Markdown file on your iPhone, whether in the Files app or any other writing app.
◉ Open the file, then tap the Share option and choose Notes.
◉ When the pop-up window appears, click Import to save the file in a special folder called Imported Notes.
◉ On iPads running iPadOS 26, you can access the File option, then Import to Notes… from the menu bar in the app. After selecting the file from the Files interface, tap Import to confirm the process.
◉ Once the file is imported, you'll find the note saved in the Imported Notes folder. You can then rest assured that basic formatting, such as headings, lists, and links, is preserved, as the app automatically converts plain text to rich text.
Steps to export notes in Markdown format
◉ Open the note you want to export within the Notes app.
◉ Click on the share icon at the top right of the screen.
◉ Choose Export as Markdown.
◉ Select where you want to save the file or the application you want to share it through.
◉ The resulting file retains the note structure and formatting according to standard Markdown standards, making it compatible with text editors, documentation tools, and publishing platforms that support this format.
Markdown support in iOS 26 represents a significant step forward. With this feature, there is no longer a conflict between the simplicity of note-taking and the demands of publishing or documenting in other environments.
Source:
2 comment