Before you start
- PatchDoc on iOS or iPadOS 17.0 or later.
- A readable Markdown file. Download cloud files to the device before opening them offline.
- For local images, preserve relative paths and grant access to the folder containing the resources.
Step by step
Open a note or create a Markdown file
Choose a .md file from PatchDoc’s file entry point, or create one in the internal file space. Keep a working document and its images together in an accessible folder.
Edit the source
Write headings, lists, links, and code blocks. Use Markdown shortcuts for common syntax, and search and replace when updating repeated text.
Check the rendered preview
Use Markdown Preview to review headings, tables, lists, and images, then return to source to refine them. Large documents may use a partial or section preview, which does not represent the entire file.
Export from the file menu
Open the editor’s file menu and select Export PDF or Export HTML. Wait for rendering, then choose where to save or share the result. Review image rendering and layout before delivery.
Save the source and reopen the output
Use Save for the Markdown file, or Save As to keep a separate copy. Reopen the exported PDF and check page count, text, images, and code blocks. Exporting a PDF does not save changes to the .md source.
Try a small note first
Markdown# Project notes
- [x] Gather files
- [ ] Export PDF
> Check the preview before sharing.
The final line needs a real images/example.jpg file. Remove it if you do not have an image.
Check your result
Reopen the exported PDF in PatchDoc or Files to check completeness. Keep the original Markdown and its images together.
Scope and limitations
- Core editing and local preview work offline. Remote images and cloud resources depend on connectivity and permissions.
- Markdown, HTML, and PDF have different layout constraints; output is not guaranteed to match every desktop editor exactly.
- Large files, complex tables, and formulas can be limited by device memory and rendering capacity.
Troubleshooting
An image is missing
Check spelling, letter case, relative paths, folder access, and whether the image has downloaded. Permission to one Markdown file may not include its image folder.
Saving fails
Check whether the source is read-only. Save As to a writable location and reopen that copy.
Preview or export takes too long
Test a small document first. Split large documents into chapters if necessary, and check the actual output rather than relying on a partial preview.
Common questions
Can I export HTML too?
Yes. The Markdown file menu includes Export HTML and Export PDF.
Can I continue editing the PDF as Markdown?
Keep and edit the original .md source, then export again. The PDF is a separate delivery copy.
Instructions reflect the reviewed feature set. Control placement may vary by version.