Your files: what you can open, change and save

1. Opening, importing and recent files

Open from Files: choose a document through the system file picker. PatchDoc can open it in its original location when the file provider grants the required access. Files received through sharing, photos, or a workflow that requires a working copy may be copied into the app first.

Receive from another app: open the shared file directly or import it into My Space and work on that copy. Saving an imported copy does not update the original attachment in the sending app.

Photos and scans: supported images and videos can be selected from Photos. The scanning workflow can create a PDF from paper documents.

Recents: reopen files, search by name or text content, and filter by file type. Access can expire if a provider revokes permission, a file is moved, or a cloud file is unavailable.

Clear recents: clearing the list can also remove app-managed imported working copies. It does not delete files in My Space or original files in an external location.

2. Text, code and structured files

Supported text workflows include TXT, RTF, SRT, Markdown, JSON, YAML, XML, KML, CSV, HTML, CSS, SVG, Plist, configuration files, Diff/Patch, LaTeX and source code such as Swift, Python, JavaScript and C++.

• Editing: edit text, find and replace, adjust text size, save, use Save As, share and inspect file information. Source-oriented formats support syntax highlighting, optional line numbers and horizontal scrolling where available.
• TXT reading mode: a TXT/TEXT file can open in the text editor or book reader. The selected mode is remembered for that file and can be changed in document options.
• Large text: the app uses lighter editing or a read-only view for larger files. Expensive features such as live previews, highlighting or full-text searching may be limited. A preview excerpt is not the entire document.
• Markdown: switch between source and preview, use a split preview, navigate the outline, work with tables and images, and export HTML or PDF. Local images need accessible files and valid relative paths.
• HTML and SVG: edit source and inspect the supported preview. Preview behavior is not a guarantee of identical rendering in every browser.
• CSV: use text or table mode, edit cells and add or remove rows and columns. The result is CSV text; this is not an Excel workbook editor.
• Validation and formatting: JSON supports checking, formatting and compact output; YAML offers basic checks; XML-based formats support the available XML checks and formatting.
• Data conversion: supported JSON, YAML, XML, Plist and configuration conversions export a new file. Type systems differ, so inspect numbers, arrays, null values and nested data after conversion.
• KML: switch between XML source and a MapKit preview for supported placemarks, paths, polygons, geometries and styles. Saving retains the KML format; map base tiles require a network connection.
• LaTeX: edit source, inspect formulas and the supported PDF preview, review the outline and export through the built-in offline engine. Arbitrary desktop packages and complex projects are not guaranteed to work.

Text saving preserves the detected encoding and BOM where supported. RTF follows the supported text workflow rather than a complete word-processor layout editor. If another app changes the file, review the conflict before overwriting it. Unsaved text draft recovery is an aid, not a replacement for saving the document.

3. PDF, OFD and scanned documents

PDF supports reading, annotations and page operations. PatchDoc does not provide general reflow editing of a PDF's original paragraphs and layout.

• Read, search supported text, change viewing options, share, inspect information, save or use Save As.
• Add supported highlights, underlines, notes, text, handwriting, signatures and image stickers. Sticker placement supports the available move, resize, rotate and delete controls.
• Insert blank pages or pages from another PDF; delete, duplicate, rotate, reorder, crop or reset a page's crop.
• Combine documents by importing pages, extract a selected page range to a PDF, or split pages into a ZIP output where offered.
• Use supported text recognition to export TXT, compress a PDF, export page images in ZIP, or export an image-based PPTX presentation.
• Scan paper into a PDF. Supported offline OCR can create a searchable document; recognition accuracy depends on the source.
• Open supported OFD documents and convert them into a PDF copy for further viewing, annotation, sharing or saving.

Check the output: PDF compression re-renders pages and can flatten selectable text, annotations or other editable structure. PPTX pages are images. Keep the original and inspect text, page count and visual quality after export. Complex OFD fonts or graphics may degrade.

A placed handwritten signature is a visual mark. It is not a certificate-based digital signature.

4. XMind mind maps

PatchDoc focuses on the topic tree in modern .xmind packages using content.json. Open, view, save, use Save As, share, inspect information and use the supported reading view.

• Switch between sheets, add, duplicate or delete sheets, and edit sheet titles.
• Edit topic titles; add children or siblings; duplicate, delete or move topics; undo and redo supported changes.
• Export the current sheet to PDF, PNG, SVG, a Markdown outline or a TXT outline.

Legacy content.xml, relationship lines, attachments and complex styling are outside the main editing scope. Use a copy when exchanging files with another mind-map application.

5. Images, video, subtitles and audio

Images: supported sources include PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, HEIC/HEIF, BMP and TIFF. Available tools include rotation, flipping, cropping, resizing, color adjustments, text, brush and mosaic layers. PNG and JPEG can be saved in place when permitted; other formats usually export a PNG, JPEG or PDF copy.

Batch images: convert supported images, control JPEG quality or a target file size, add watermarks, or remove location and device EXIF metadata by re-encoding. Compression can also change dimensions. Animation and every original metadata field are not guaranteed to survive conversion.

Video: open supported containers, play or pause, seek, adjust playback speed, mute and choose the display fit. Supported processing includes trimming, rotating, muting an export and exporting MP4 at an available quality. Container extensions alone do not determine whether the device can decode or export the video.

SRT subtitles: import an external subtitle file and adjust its encoding, position, color, size, timing offset and background. Subtitles are a playback overlay and are not burned into the exported MP4.

Audio: use the available system-backed playback and preview controls. Codec support depends on iOS and the device.

6. Archives, passwords and split volumes

Archive workflows cover ZIP/CBZ/JAR, RAR/CBR, 7Z, TAR/GZ/TGZ and other supported compression formats. Compatibility for less common variants depends on the archive engine.

• View an overview, browse the directory tree, search internal paths, temporarily extract an item for preview, or extract the archive to My Space.
• File-header detection can identify an archive with an unusual extension. Office, XMind and EPUB containers are handled as their own document types where recognized.
• Enter the archive password when prompted. Supported 7Z workflows include encrypted content, encrypted headers and encrypted split volumes; other encrypted variants depend on compatibility.
• Keep every split volume together in an accessible directory. The app can detect common groups and report missing volumes.
• Create ZIP, 7Z, TAR, TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2 or TAR.XZ from files and folders. Available options include compression level, ZIP/7Z passwords, split volumes and 7Z integrity checking.

Browsing an archive does not edit its original contents. Extraction creates files; retain enough free storage for the extracted data and check the destination after completion.

7. Office, CAD and other read-only formats

Office and iWork: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Pages, Numbers and Keynote use supported read-only system previews. PatchDoc does not edit those documents' text, workbook cells or slide objects.

CAD: supported drawings can be viewed and inspected with the available controls. CAD entity editing is not supported, and compatibility depends on the drawing version and its contents.

Other formats: EPUB, SQLite/DB, 3D files, fonts, contacts and calendar files use the available specialized or system preview, sharing and information tools. A readable preview does not imply that the format is editable.

Unknown data: when an embedded preview is unavailable, the app may offer text or hexadecimal inspection of raw bytes. Sampling and truncation indicators describe how much data is shown.

8. My Space, mounted files and folders

My Space is the app's local file-management area. Browse folders, use list or grid layouts, sort, search, rename, move, delete, select multiple items and use supported batch actions. Import external files, media or scans, and create folders or supported text documents.

Mounted folders: grant access to an external folder to browse and manage it from the app. Opening, creating, copying, renaming, moving, deleting, compressing and saving back depend on that provider's access and capabilities.

Mounted files: pin an individually selected file as an entry in My Space. Repair or remove an inaccessible mount when the underlying file or permission changes.

Widgets: add frequently used My Space files to the supported Home Screen widget. Removing an entry from the widget does not delete its file.

Cloud-provider files may need to download before use. The system share inbox is kept separate from ordinary My Space browsing and network-sharing destinations.

9. Remote connections and transfers

WebDAV and FTP connections: browse, open and import supported remote files or directories. These client connections are read-only; save edits as a separate copy. Internet WebDAV requires HTTPS by default, while plain FTP does not encrypt traffic.

SFTP: in addition to browsing and importing, use supported upload, overwrite, folder creation, rename, move and delete operations. Editable files opened for remote editing can save back to their original remote path; an imported local copy remains separate.

SSH terminal: saved SFTP servers can open the interactive terminal with supported ANSI/VT100 behavior, terminal applications, control keys, tabs and resizing. Sessions can remain while moving within the app; going into the background disconnects them. Passwords, private keys and passphrases are stored in the device Keychain. Confirm the first host fingerprint; changed keys block connection.

Browser transfer: on the same Wi-Fi network or personal hotspot, open the sharing address and enter the displayed access code to use the supported browser file operations.

WebDAV sharing server: connect Finder or a WebDAV client to the displayed sharing address with the shown credentials. This exposes the supported My Space read/write operations; it is separate from the read-only WebDAV client connection described above.

USB sharing: the system's Finder/iTunes file-sharing interface can transfer My Space files without starting a network-sharing session.

Local network sharing runs while the sharing page is active. Leaving that page or putting the app in the background stops it.

10. Saving, copies and exports

• Save in place and Save As: the file can be written back to its current location, or exported as a separate copy.
• Save a working copy: the open document is an app-managed copy. Saving updates that copy; use Save As to put it elsewhere.
• Save As only: overwriting the original is unavailable, but the app can export a modified copy.
• Cannot save: the current format or opening mode is read-only, unsupported for writing, or lacks permission.

Check the saving method in File Information when a file cannot be saved as expected. Exporting PDF, images, converted data or another output does not automatically save changes in the source document. Standalone processing tools produce new output files.

Reopen the result and verify content, destination and file type before relying on it. For remote editing, also verify that the change reached the intended server path.

11. Reading and private space

Reading: supported book and text-reading workflows offer the available font, spacing, layout, background, encoding, chapter and pagination controls. TXT reading mode is separate from text editing. Very large files may use paginated or limited previews.

Private space: use the separate encrypted area for files you want to keep apart. Access, import and export follow its own unlocking workflow. A copy exported out of that area is handled by its destination's protection.

Local editing and preview can work offline. Purchases, restoring purchases, remote connections, map base tiles and cloud files not yet on the device need a network connection. See the privacy policy for information handling.

12. Batch tools and getting help

Available utilities include text comparison and difference export, batch text replacement, batch renaming, QR-code creation and file information. The standalone batch renaming tool creates renamed copies in a ZIP and keeps the input files. Duplicate and large-file scans can export CSV reports; they do not automatically delete files. Review matches, filenames, destinations and output formats before applying a batch operation.

If something fails, first check the file's format, access permissions, available storage and saving method. For cloud or remote files, confirm availability and the intended connection mode. A format extension does not guarantee every variant is compatible.

Contact PatchDoc support with the app version, device and iOS version, file type, exact steps, expected result and error message. This helps distinguish a compatibility issue from a permission or saving problem.