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xinmans
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is there any excellent apple notes export tools? who have good suggestions?

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  •   xinmans · 3 小时 28 分钟前 · 124 次点击
    Exporting notes from Apple Notes can be challenging due to its limited native options, but several third-party tools stand out for their functionality and ease of use. Here are some excellent tools for exporting Apple Notes, based on their capabilities and user feedback:
    1 Exporter (Mac App Store)
    ◦ Overview: A free Mac app designed to export Apple Notes in bulk to Markdown or HTML formats. It preserves creation and modification dates and organizes notes into directories based on their notebooks.
    ◦ Strengths:
    ▪ Simple, one-click bulk export.
    ▪ Supports attachments (e.g., JPEG, PNG) when exporting to Markdown, with media saved in separate folders.
    ▪ Maintains folder structure and avoids overwriting notes with identical names.
    ◦ Limitations:
    ▪ Does not preserve rich text features (e.g., bold, italic) or iOS-specific links in Markdown exports.
    ▪ Images and hyperlinks may not be embedded in the text, requiring manual reattachment in some apps.
    ▪ Lacks PDF export; Markdown or HTML only.
    ▪ Some users report it can be resource-intensive or unresponsive during large exports.
    ◦ Best For: Users needing a free, straightforward tool for bulk exports to Markdown or HTML, especially for text-heavy notes.
    ◦ Availability: Download from the Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/exporter/id1099120373
    2 Obsidian Importer (Plugin for Obsidian)
    ◦ Overview: A plugin for the Obsidian note-taking app that imports Apple Notes, including handwritten text detected in drawings. It converts notes to Markdown, making it ideal for users transitioning to Obsidian.
    ◦ Strengths:
    ▪ Comprehensive output, capturing text and some media elements accurately.
    ▪ Free and regularly updated (e.g., version 1.5.3 as of October 2023).
    ▪ Integrates seamlessly with Obsidian, a powerful cross-platform note-taking tool.
    ◦ Limitations:
    ▪ Requires Obsidian, so it’s not a standalone tool.
    ▪ Markdown exports may require cleanup for complex notes with rich media.
    ◦ Best For: Users already using or planning to use Obsidian who want a reliable import tool.
    ◦ Availability: Install via Obsidian’s plugin marketplace.
    3 Apple Cloud Notes Parser (GitHub)
    ◦ Overview: An open-source tool for advanced users comfortable with scripting. It parses Apple Notes stored in iCloud, exporting them to modifiable formats.
    ◦ Strengths:
    ▪ Free and customizable for tech-savvy users.
    ▪ Can handle complex note structures if configured correctly.
    ◦ Limitations:
    ▪ Requires technical expertise to set up and run.
    ▪ Struggles with newer iCloud formats, as Apple’s database encryption can lock data.
    ▪ Not user-friendly for non-developers.
    ◦ Best For: Developers or users needing a free, script-based solution for specific export needs.
    ◦ Availability: https://github.com/threeplanetssoftware/apple_cloud_notes_parser
    4 iPad Drag-and-Drop Trick (iPadOS)
    ◦ Overview: A lesser-known method using iPadOS’s drag-and-drop feature to export multiple notes as RTFD files to iCloud Drive, preserving formatting and attachments like images or sketches.
    ◦ Strengths:
    ▪ Free and built into iPadOS, requiring no third-party software.
    ▪ Preserves rich text and most attachments (except scanned documents in some cases).
    ◦ Limitations:
    ▪ Only works on iPad, not Mac or iPhone.
    ▪ RTFD files may not be compatible with all apps.
    ▪ Not ideal for large-scale exports due to manual dragging.
    ◦ Best For: iPad users wanting a quick, free way to export small batches of notes with formatting.
    ◦ How-To: Select multiple notes in the Notes app, drag them to iCloud Drive, and they’ll convert to RTFD files.
    5 Native Apple Notes Export (PDF or Pages)
    ◦ Overview: Apple Notes allows exporting individual notes as PDFs or opening them in Pages for further formatting (e.g., RTF, Word). On Mac, go to File > Export as PDF or File > Open in Pages. On iPhone/iPad, use the Share button for PDF or Pages export.
    ◦ Strengths:
    ▪ Built-in, no additional software needed.
    ▪ PDF exports are universally accessible.
    ▪ Pages export supports richer formats for editing.
    ◦ Limitations:
    ▪ Exports one note at a time, making it impractical for bulk exports.
    ▪ PDF exports are static and not editable.
    ▪ Pages exports don’t sync changes back to Notes and lose features like checklists or note links.
    ▪ Multipage PDFs or scanned documents may only export the first page.
    ◦ Best For: Users needing to export a few notes as PDFs or editable documents.
    Recommendations
    • For Bulk Exports: Exporter is the go-to choice for its simplicity and free price tag. Choose HTML format for media-rich notes or Markdown for text-based ones. Be prepared for some manual cleanup if importing into apps like Notion or Obsidian.
    • For Obsidian Users: Obsidian Importer is highly effective, especially for those already in the Obsidian ecosystem.
    • For Small Batches with Formatting: Use the iPad drag-and-drop method or native PDF/Pages export for quick, high-fidelity exports.
    • For Advanced Users: Apple Cloud Notes Parser offers flexibility but requires technical know-how.
    Notes on Limitations
    • Apple Notes’ native export options are intentionally limited, likely to keep users within the ecosystem.
    • No tool perfectly preserves all elements (e.g., hyperlinks, embedded images, or complex formatting) due to Apple’s proprietary note structure.
    • Always back up your notes (e.g., via Time Machine or manual database copy at ~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.notes) before using third-party tools.
    If you’re looking for a specific format (e.g., PDF, Markdown) or have a particular use case (e.g., importing to Notion), let me know, and I can tailor the recommendation further!
    1 条回复    2025-05-06 16:57:23 +08:00
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