Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Compiled the most core and high-frequency settings and usage questions during your MarkText journey.

How to switch interface language (e.g. to English/Chinese)?

Although MarkText defaults to English after installation, it perfectly supports multiple languages. Changing language is extremely simple:

In the main editor interface, press Ctrl + , (or Cmd + , on macOS) to quickly bring up the Preferences tab.
In the popup window, scroll down to the bottom and find the Language settings section.
Click the dropdown select box and choose your preferred language (e.g., 简体中文 🇨🇳 or English).
Once clicked, all interface text and options will instantly switch and load in your selected language without restarting the application.

How to export PDF documents from the editor?

MarkText provides a high-precision, lossless PDF export engine. You can freely control the appearance and style of the exported documents:

First, open or finish your Markdown document. Then, click the File menu in the upper-left corner, select Export from the dropdown list, and choose PDF in the sub-menu.

A settings panel will appear, allowing you to freely configure the export theme (e.g. Light, Dark, or Novel), paper size (e.g. A4), margin sizes, and whether to auto-generate page numbers, header, and footer. Once everything is set, click Export and select where to save your PDF file in the system file manager.

How to edit LaTeX math formulas and insert data tables?

Math Formulas:

Inline formulas: Wrap your math formula in single dollar signs, such as $E=mc^2$ .

Math blocks: Type $$ on a new line and press Enter. The editor will automatically create a distinct block for formulas, featuring instant dynamic rendering powered by KaTeX.

Data Tables:

Type | (vertical bar) on a blank line and press Enter, or simply press Ctrl + T. The editor will automatically generate a highly visual data table with resizable rows/columns where you can type directly and align text easily.

How to use Mermaid to draw flowcharts, Gantt charts, or sequence diagrams?

MarkText deeply integrates the popular diagramming tool Mermaid. Drawing flowcharts is as simple as typing:

Type three backticks followed by the keyword mermaid (i.e. ```mermaid) on a new line and press Enter. MarkText will instantly switch to graph editing mode. Input standard Mermaid syntax like graph TD; A-->B;, and the canvas below will automatically render your text into a beautiful vector flowchart in real time.

Why choose MarkText as a free alternative to Typora?

Since Typora transitioned to a commercial licensing model, many creators have been looking for an excellent free alternative. MarkText is currently the most ideal free and open-source choice for the following reasons:

Completely Free & Open Source: Released under the MIT license, free of any commercial fees or subscription walls. Anyone can use its full features for free.
WYSIWYG Markdown Editor: Supports seamless live preview. You see the formatted output instantly as you type, offering an experience highly similar to Typora.
Cross-platform & Native Support: Natively supports Windows, macOS (including Apple Silicon), and Linux with smooth performance.
Comprehensive Export Ecosystem: Provides outstanding PDF and HTML export capabilities, supporting custom headers, footers, and styles.