Short answer
Choose the project sections you need, select Markdown, and save the file. Open the saved file before sharing it. The export is a copy of the project at that moment, so later edits do not update it.
This guide covers CiteFlow. Check requirements and download options before you begin.
On this page
When to use this method
Use this method when you need a readable copy of notes, highlights, citation history, or bibliography outside the project.
Before you start
Check the notes and citation drafts you plan to include. Choose a separate destination folder. Have a plain-text editor ready. Markdown is regular text with simple symbols for headings and lists.
Choose what the recipient needs
For a colleague checking a quotation, include the checked quotation and bibliography but leave private project notes unselected. An illustrative Markdown note might look like this:
## Evidence to check
Source: Example paper
Printed page: 519; PDF position: 3
Quotation: [checked words from the source]
My note: [interpretation kept separate]This illustrates a readable handoff, not CiteFlow's exact export template. Inspect the actual saved file and remove private material before sharing.
Save and check a Markdown copy
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Check the project first
Correct obvious source details and reopen one quotation. You should see the right paper and page before you export.
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Open Export Project
Choose Export Project. Select only the bibliography, Citation History, highlights, PDF notes, and project notes you need. Leave private sections unchecked.
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Choose Markdown
Select Markdown as the format. You should see the selected sections listed before you save. An empty selected section will not create missing research content.
If bibliography or Citation History needs source details checked, review the listed sources before saving. Excluding a source skips it for this output only. Removing a source takes it out of the project. Canceling the review stops this export, but any source changes you already saved remain saved.
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Choose a separate folder
Save the export outside the active project data. Give it a clear name so you can tell it apart from newer copies.
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Open the saved file
Open it in a plain-text editor. You should see readable headings and the sections you selected. If characters look wrong, reopen it as UTF-8 or export it again, then check one quotation and page locator.
What the exported file does not carry
Markdown preserves readable text and simple structure. It does not embed the source PDFs, the project database, or a live connection that updates after the project changes. Source names and page locators come from the saved records at export time. Check them against the PDF before treating the file as a reliable handoff.
Handoff risks
- Treating the export as a live backup
- Including private project notes unintentionally
- Assuming Markdown renders identically everywhere
- Sharing unverified citation drafts
Checkpoint: Export checks
- Review the selected sections.
- Open the file in a plain-text editor.
- Check one quotation and page locator.
- Remove sensitive notes before distribution.