Support
Using HashMark
HashMark converts each PDF you give it into a Markdown file in the same folder. There are two ways to start a conversion, and they both give the same result.
Converting PDFs
From the HashMark window
- Open HashMark.
- Drag one or more PDFs onto the window, or click Add PDFs (Command-O) to choose them.
- Click Convert. The progress bar shows how far along it is, and the magnifying glass beside each finished file shows it in Finder.
From Finder's right-click menu
- Select one or more PDFs in Finder.
- Right-click (or Control-click) and choose Convert to Markdown.
HashMark opens and converts them. This needs the Finder extension turned on, which takes a moment the first time (see below).
Turning on the Finder extension
macOS asks you to turn on Finder extensions yourself, once:
- Open System Settings.
- Go to General > Login Items & Extensions.
- Under Extensions, click the info button beside Finder, and turn on HashMark.
HashMark links straight to this page from its window and from its Settings.
Folder permissions
Apps from the Mac App Store can only save files in places you have allowed. The first time you convert a PDF in a folder HashMark has not used before, it asks you to allow that folder. Choose the folder (or a folder above it) and click Allow. HashMark remembers the permission, so you are only asked once per folder.
To avoid being asked again and again, you can allow your home folder, which covers almost everything. Allowed folders are listed in HashMark's Settings under Folders HashMark Can Save In, where you can add or remove them. The permissions are stored only on your Mac.
Where files are saved
Each Markdown file is saved beside its PDF with the same name, so Report.pdf becomes Report.md. Images from the PDF are saved in a folder named after the Markdown file, such as Report images, next to it, and the Markdown links to them with relative paths. Move the .md file and its images folder together to keep the links working.
Settings
Open Settings from the HashMark menu, or press Command-comma.
- Save images: on by default. Turn it off to write text only, with no images folder.
- Replace existing Markdown files: off by default, so if a Markdown file of the same name already exists the new one is numbered, as in
Report 2.md. Turn it on to replace the earlier file when you convert again.
Frequently asked questions
Convert to Markdown is not in Finder's right-click menu.
The Finder extension needs turning on once. Open System Settings, go to General, then Login Items & Extensions. Under Extensions, click the info button beside Finder and turn on HashMark. HashMark links there from its window and from its Settings. Until then, you can drag PDFs into the HashMark window and click Convert.
Why does HashMark ask for access to a folder?
Apps from the Mac App Store can only save files where you have allowed them to. The first time you convert a PDF in a new folder, HashMark asks once for permission to save there, and remembers it. Allowing your home folder covers almost everything. You can see and remove allowed folders in Settings.
Where do the Markdown files go?
Beside the PDF, with the same name. Converting "Report.pdf" makes "Report.md" in the same folder. Images are saved in a folder named "Report images" next to it.
What happens if a Markdown file with the same name already exists?
By default the new file is numbered, as in "Report 2.md", so nothing is overwritten. Turn on "Replace existing Markdown files" in Settings to replace the earlier file instead.
Can it convert scanned PDFs?
Yes. Pages with no text layer are read with the text recognition built into macOS, on your Mac. The quality depends on the scan: clear, straight pages give the best results. Tables are not detected on scanned pages.
Some of my PDF did not come out as expected.
PDFs store positioned characters rather than structure, so HashMark has to work out headings, lists and tables from the layout. Unusual layouts can trip it up. If a file converts badly, email us and, if you can, attach the PDF or a page from it. Files sent to us are used only to fix the problem and are deleted afterwards.
Are my PDFs uploaded anywhere?
No. Conversion happens entirely on your Mac, with no network connection needed. HashMark has no accounts and no analytics.
Which Macs does HashMark run on?
Macs with Apple silicon running macOS 15 or later.
Still need help?
Email us and we will get back to you. If a PDF converts badly, attaching it helps us fix it.
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