Export Notes

Save all your note content to a file you can keep as a readable archive, share, or open in other apps. Export is not a full-fidelity BetterStickies restore format.

How to Export

  1. Open the hub's Menu and click Export Notes…
  2. Choose a format
  3. Pick where to save the file (the save window opens in your Documents folder)

The filename is generated automatically with today's date (e.g., BetterStickies_Export_2026-03-24.txt), but you can change it.

All your notes are included in the export, and for a note with tabs, every page is included, each under its own heading.

Formats

Plain Text (.txt)

A simple text file you can open anywhere. Each note shows its title, creation date, and content as plain text. Bullet and numbered lists keep the marker the note shows in front of each item (•, 1., a. or i.), indented two spaces per level, so they still read as lists. Notes are separated by a line of dashes.

Best for: readable archives, sharing with anyone, and reading in any text editor.

Markdown (.md)

A formatted text file that works well with modern note apps, wikis, and websites. Formatting is preserved:

  • Checklists convert to Markdown tasks: ☐ becomes - [ ], ☑ becomes - [x]
  • Bullet and numbered lists convert to Markdown lists, nesting included (Markdown has no lettered or Roman numbering, so nested a. and i. items are numbered 1., 2.)
  • Headings, bold, and italic are preserved; underlined text becomes italic (Markdown has no underline)
  • Images are represented as Markdown links; the image files themselves are not bundled, and local paths may not work on another computer

Best for: importing text into other note apps, publishing, or viewing in Markdown editors.

JSON (.json)

A structured data file with note metadata: content, colors, font settings, position, size, and more. From version 1.5 it also includes each note's reminder. Referenced image files are not embedded, notes in the Trash are not included, and BetterStickies does not currently provide an Import command.

Best for: scripts, diagnostics, and keeping a structured copy of active-note data. For a restorable same-install backup, close BetterStickies and copy the complete data folder instead.

After Exporting

A confirmation message shows the file path where your export was saved. If something goes wrong, you'll see an error message instead.

See Also

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