When I format text in Drafts, it applies markdown symbols on the text. I will probably never use that, and would therefore like to see the text as it’s formatted. I have looked at the settings but couldn’t find what I’m looking for. This must be doable, right?
Example:
Here you can see two asterisk’s around the bold text. I don’t want to see them, like this:
The Drafts creator, Agile Tortoise, and John Gruber, the creator of Markdown, think that’s a defining necessary feature, to show the formatting.
Now, you might disagree with that decision. I’m in the same boat you are.
How I fixed the problem was using another program like UpNote for my notes storage so that I can choose to hide the Markdown formatting.
UpNote uses a different editor than Markdown, but it works with Markdown. That makes it a little harder to export things cleanly. On the other hand, UpNote’s formatting flexibility is legendary.
EDIT: I wouldn’t stop using Drafts, though, if you know what it’s good for: getting to an instant place for writing, and then sending that writing anywhere you would like.
Bear is another app that allows you to hide markdown if you’re so inclined: “You can choose to hide or show Markdown style characters by toggling the Hide Markdown option in Bear’s Settings > General preferences panel”
I went back to Bear for a few weeks thinking that iCloud Drive is safer than Google Firebase storage. I really tried to switch, but Bear’s web clipper isn’t nearly as good as UpNote’s version especially on mobile, and I use “a web clipper and a notes app” as my read it later app.
Good to know. Any web clipping I need to do is always done with DEVONthink, which works well for me for this purpose. And I think Readwise is excellent as a read-it-later app!
I use Ulysses for my work. Yes, it’s not pure Markdown but I am able to have the editor on the left side of my screen and the preview window on the right side.
I just hit google and saw that there is a way to just see a preview to give you a better idea of what your markdown looks like.
There is a paragraph at the bottom of this web page about used the Marked app. It’s not quite what you want (hiding markdown code in the editor) but it’s a different way at looking at your markdown.
FYI, Obsidian will also hide the markdown symbols and just give you the formatted text until you arrow into it. Must say I really like that editor for my purposes (mostly taking notes and searching for them later).
I’m using Obsidian both for longform writing and notes. The customisability of the application makes it powerful - and productive once I stop customising it!
And yes, this is the reason I use Drafts, on my Mac, iPhone and iPad. Instant syncing and easy to reach is the way.
Do any of the other apps mentioned have this feature?
Thanks for all the input!