How to Export Evernote to Markdown in 2025

If you're reading this, you've probably decided it's time to leave Evernote. Maybe the price hikes got to you. Maybe you're tired of being locked into a platform. Or maybe you just want your data in a format you actually control.

Whatever your reason, you're not alone. Thousands of users are migrating from Evernote every month, and most of them want the same thing: their notes in Markdown format.

This guide covers four methods to export Evernote to Markdown. I'll show you the DIY options (they work, but they're technical) and one turnkey solution that takes 5 minutes. By the end, you'll know exactly which approach fits your skills and time.

Why Export to Markdown?

Markdown is a plain-text format that works everywhere. Your notes become:

• Portable - Open in any text editor, Obsidian, Notion, or even GitHub
• Future-proof - No vendor lock-in, no subscription fees
• Searchable - Works with standard file search tools
• Version-controllable - Track changes with Git if you want

But here's the catch: Evernote doesn't export to Markdown natively. You need a conversion tool. Let's look at your options.

Method 1: Using Yarle (Technical)

Yarle is a free, open-source tool that converts Evernote ENEX files to Markdown. It's popular in the Obsidian community, but it requires technical setup.

Prerequisites

• Node.js installed (version 14 or higher)
• npm (comes with Node.js)
• Command-line/terminal access
• Basic familiarity with file paths and commands

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Install Node.js (if you don't have it):
   • Download from nodejs.org
   • Run the installer
   • Verify installation: Open terminal and run node --version
2. Install Yarle globally:

   npm install -g yarle-evernote-to-md

3. Create a configuration file:

   Yarle needs a JSON config file. Create yarle-config.json:

   {
     "enexSource": "/path/to/your/notebook.enex",
     "outputDir": "/path/to/output/folder",
     "isMetadataNeeded": true,
     "isNotebookNameNeeded": true,
     "isZettelkastenNeeded": false,
     "plainTextNotesOnly": false,
     "skipWebClips": false,
     "skipLocation": false,
     "skipCreationTime": false,
     "skipUpdateTime": false,
     "skipTags": false,
     "skipEnexFileNameFromNotePath": false,
     "haveGlobalHashTag": false,
     "haveJekyllHashes": false
   }

4. Run the conversion:

   yarle --configFile yarle-config.json

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

• "Command not found" - Make sure Node.js is in your PATH, or use npx yarle-evernote-to-md instead
• Path errors - Use absolute paths in your config file, not relative paths
• Missing attachments - Check that your ENEX file includes attachments (some exports don't)
• Encoding issues - If special characters are broken, ensure your ENEX is UTF-8 encoded

Method 2: Using evernote2md (Technical)

evernote2md is another command-line tool, written in Go. It's faster than Yarle for large exports, but still requires technical knowledge.

Installation Options

Option A: Homebrew (Mac/Linux)

brew install evernote2md

Option B: Direct Download

• Download from GitHub releases
• Extract the binary
• Add to your PATH (or use full path when running)

Usage

Basic command:

evernote2md -input /path/to/notebook.enex -output /path/to/output

For batch processing multiple notebooks:

for file in *.enex; do
  evernote2md -input "$file" -output "./output/${file%.enex}"
done

Advantages Over Yarle

• Faster processing for large notebooks
• Better handling of attachments
• More reliable date preservation

Limitations

• Still requires command-line knowledge
• No GUI - all configuration via flags
• Less flexible than Yarle for custom formatting

Method 3: Via Notion (Multi-Step, Lossy)

Some users try exporting through Notion as an intermediary. This works, but you lose data along the way.

The Process

1. Export from Evernote as ENEX files
2. Import to Notion using Notion's import tool
3. Wait for import (can take hours for large notebooks)
4. Export from Notion as Markdown

What You Lose

• Creation dates - Often reset to import date
• Tags - Converted to Notion properties, may not export correctly
• Notebook structure - Flattened or reorganized by Notion
• Attachments - May break or require re-uploading
• Source URLs - Often lost in translation

This method works if you're already using Notion and don't mind losing metadata. For most users, it's not worth the trade-offs.

Method 4: RescueMyNotes (Non-Technical)

I built RescueMyNotes because I got locked out of my own notes in a dark carpark. I needed a way to export everything that didn't require a computer science degree.

How It Works

1. Free Assessment - Connect your Evernote account (OAuth, we never see your password). We analyze your notebooks and show you exactly what you'll get.
2. One-Click Export - If you like what you see, we process everything automatically. Perfect Markdown, all metadata preserved.
3. Download - Get a ZIP file with your notes organized exactly as they were in Evernote. Import to Obsidian, Notion, or anywhere else.

What You Get

• Clean Markdown files - Ready to use in any Markdown editor
• All attachments preserved - Images, PDFs, files - all linked correctly
• Folder structure intact - Your notebooks become folders, exactly as organized
• Complete metadata - Creation dates, modification dates, tags, source URLs - everything preserved
• Zero technical knowledge required - Just click and wait

Comparison: Which Method Should You Choose?

Method	Technical Skill	Time Required	Cost	Data Loss Risk
Yarle	High (CLI, Node.js)	2-4 hours	Free	Medium
evernote2md	High (CLI, Go)	1-3 hours	Free	Medium
Notion	Medium	3-6 hours	Free	High
RescueMyNotes	None	5 minutes	£19.95	None

Conclusion

If you're comfortable with command-line tools and have a few hours to spare, DIY methods work. Yarle and evernote2md are solid tools built by the community.

But if you want it done right, done fast, and done without risking your data, RescueMyNotes removes all the hassle. You get perfect Markdown in 5 minutes, with every detail preserved.

Your notes are your memories. They deserve to be in a format you control, in a place you own. Whether you choose DIY or turnkey, the important thing is getting your data out of Evernote and into your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my formatting?

With RescueMyNotes, no. We preserve all formatting, including bold, italic, lists, tables, and code blocks. DIY tools vary - Yarle is generally good, evernote2md is excellent, Notion can lose some formatting.

What about images and attachments?

RescueMyNotes preserves all attachments and links them correctly in your Markdown files. DIY tools usually handle this well, but you may need to manually fix some paths.

Can I export my entire Evernote account at once?

Yes. RescueMyNotes processes your entire account in one go. With DIY tools, you'll need to export each notebook separately and run the conversion for each.

What if I have thousands of notes?

RescueMyNotes handles large accounts automatically. With DIY tools, large exports may require more memory or processing time. evernote2md is generally faster for very large exports.

Do I need to keep my Evernote subscription?

No. Once you've exported your notes, you can cancel Evernote. Your Markdown files are yours forever, no subscription needed.

Can I import the Markdown into Obsidian/Notion/etc?

Yes! Markdown is universal. Obsidian can import folders directly. Notion has a Markdown import option. Most note-taking apps support Markdown.

Related Articles

• Why Export from Evernote: The Case for Data Portability
• RescueMyNotes Pricing: One-Time Payment, No Subscriptions
• How We Keep Your Notes Secure During Export