How to Turn PDFs into Notes and Knowledge-Base Content on iPhone

TL;DR

Import the PDF, extract with Structured Markdown, check headings and numbers, copy the Markdown into your notes app, and bring figures via the ZIP (Pro). Use document title off and page headings off to avoid fake headings in your vault.

The problem

Reading material arrives as PDFs: papers, reports, board packs, scanned handouts. Your notes live in Markdown. Quoting a paragraph means retyping it, and “just attach the PDF” makes it unsearchable and unlinkable.

Workflow

  1. Set up once. In Settings, choose the Structured format, Page Headings off, Document Title off. Choose your OCR languages.
  2. Import the PDF (Share sheet works from Mail, Files and Safari).
  3. Extract and open the project. Skim the rendered view.
  4. Check numbers, names and headings against the original (“View Original PDF” is in the menu).
  5. Copy Markdown and paste into your note. Add your own title and tags.
  6. Figures: use Export as ZIP (Pro) and unzip next to the note, or share single images.

For research papers

Two-column layouts are read in order. Equations and special symbols may come out imperfectly; check formulas. References stay as text.

For scans and handouts

Pick languages, use 300–400 DPI, and keep the Markdown source view handy for fixing misreads.

For long documents

Free reads the first 5 pages; if you only need a chapter, extract the document with Pro, then paste just that section.

Keep it private

Everything runs on the device. Delete the project when you’re done if the PDF is sensitive.

FAQ

Does the Markdown work in Obsidian? Yes. It is standard Markdown with headings, lists and (Pro) tables.

How do I keep the figures? Export as ZIP (Pro), or share images one by one from the gallery.

Why are the default Page N headings off? They create fake headings in notes tools. You can enable them in Settings.

Can I clip just part of a PDF? Extract it all, then paste only the section you want.

The app PDFExtract →