Markdown Magic: A PopClip Extension for NotePlan

Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with NotePlan or PopClip - I'm just a passionate user who loves these apps!

The Problem: Markdown is Powerful but can be intimidating

NotePlan is a fantastic note-taking and planning app built around Markdown. While seasoned users can format text without a second thought, new users often find themselves googling "how to make text bold in Markdown" for the fifth time that day.

Ever caught yourself thinking:

  • "Wait, is it one asterisk or two for bold?"
  • "How do I create a task again?"
  • "What's the syntax for headings?"

You're not alone.

Enter PopClip: The Swiss Army Knife for Text Selection

If you haven't discovered PopClip yet, you're missing out on one of macOS's hidden productivity gems. When you select text anywhere on your Mac, PopClip appears with context-aware actions for that text.

Think of it as iOS's text selection menu, but supercharged for your Mac with customizable extensions.

Introducing the NotePlan Markdown Formatter

My new PopClip extension brings one-click Markdown formatting to NotePlan. No more memorizing syntax or keyboard shortcuts!

What It Does

Simply select text in NotePlan, and the extension gives you options to instantly:

  • Format text: Bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, highlight, inline code
  • Create headings: H1, H2, H3
  • Make lists: Bullet lists, numbered lists
  • Add tasks: Checked and unchecked task items
  • Flag important items: Add priority flags to tasks and bullets
  • Insert code blocks: Perfect for sharing snippets
  • Create note links: Quick [[wiki-style]] references

Perfect for NotePlan Newcomers

If you've just started using NotePlan and find yourself struggling with Markdown, this extension eliminates the learning curve. You can focus on capturing your thoughts while the formatting happens magically behind the scenes.

Think of this as training wheels until you are comfortable with Markdown.

How to Install

  1. Install PopClip if you haven't already
  2. Download the NotePlan Markdown Formatter extension here: NP_Format
  3. Double-click the .popclipext file to install
  4. That's it! Select text in NotePlan to see it in action

Behind the Scenes

For the technically curious, this extension uses JavaScript to transform selected text in NotePlan. It adds the appropriate Markdown syntax based on what formatting you choose.

Each formatting option applies proper Markdown syntax and handles multi-line selections intelligently, making it perfect for formatting notes with multiple paragraphs or list items.

Why You'll Love It

  • Save time: No need to remember Markdown syntax
  • Stay in flow: Format without breaking your typing rhythm
  • Perfect consistency: Properly formatted Markdown every time
  • NotePlan-specific: Built specifically for NotePlan's implementation of Markdown

Try It Today!

Whether you're a NotePlan novice or power user, this PopClip extension will speed up your note-taking and make the Markdown formatting experience more enjoyable.

Download the extension, give it a try, and let me know what you think!

This will only activate in NotePlan