Evernote Export: ENEX vs HTML vs Markdown

Why Choosing the Wrong Format Causes Extra Work

Most users export their Evernote notes without thinking much about format. They pick whatever seems obvious, complete the export, and move on. The problem surfaces later - sometimes months later - when they actually try to use those exported files.

Here are real scenarios that create extra work:

The right format depends entirely on what you plan to do with the exported files. There's no universally "best" format - only the best format for your specific use case.

ENEX: Strengths and Limitations

ENEX (Evernote Export) is Evernote's native export format. It's an XML-based format that contains your notes, metadata, and attachments in a single file.

What ENEX Does Well

• Complete data preservation: Everything Evernote stores is captured - note content, creation dates, modification dates, tags, location data, source URLs, and all attachments
• Wide import support: Many note-taking apps can import ENEX files - Notion, Joplin, Apple Notes, OneNote (with converter), and others
• Lossless roundtrip: Export from Evernote, import back to Evernote - nothing is lost
• Single file per notebook: Easy to organize and transfer

ENEX Limitations

• Not human-readable: Opening an ENEX file shows raw XML with base64-encoded attachments
• Requires software to view: You can't browse notes without importing into an app
• Large file sizes: A notebook with many attachments creates a multi-gigabyte file
• Import quality varies: Different apps interpret ENEX differently, leading to formatting inconsistencies
• Long-term risk: If ENEX-compatible apps disappear, accessing your notes becomes difficult

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<en-export export-date="20251227T120000Z" application="Evernote">
  <note>
    <title>Meeting Notes - Q4 Planning</title>
    <created>20251215T090000Z</created>
    <updated>20251220T143000Z</updated>
    <tag>work</tag>
    <tag>meetings</tag>
    <content>
      <![CDATA[<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
        <en-note><div>Discussion points...</div></en-note>]]>
    </content>
    <resource>
      <data encoding="base64">iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAA...</data>
      <mime>image/png</mime>
    </resource>
  </note>
</en-export>

HTML: Best Choice for Reading and Archiving

HTML export creates individual web pages for each note. These files can be opened in any web browser and display your notes exactly as they appeared in Evernote.

What HTML Does Well

• Universal readability: Every computer has a web browser. No special software needed
• Perfect formatting preservation: HTML can represent everything Evernote stores - tables, colors, fonts, embedded images
• Offline access: Open files directly from your hard drive, no internet required
• Future-proof: HTML has existed since 1991 and will remain readable for decades
• Searchable: Operating system search can index HTML file contents
• Index page option: Good exports include a searchable index of all notes

HTML Limitations

• Not easily editable: Editing HTML requires technical knowledge or conversion
• Hard to import elsewhere: Few note apps accept HTML imports
• Many individual files: 5,000 notes = 5,000 files plus attachments
• No built-in sync: Static files, no cloud sync capability

evernote-html-export/
├── index.html              # Searchable index of all notes
├── style.css               # Consistent styling
├── Work/
│   ├── Meeting Notes.html
│   ├── Project Plan.html
│   └── attachments/
│       ├── screenshot.png
│       └── budget.xlsx
├── Personal/
│   ├── Recipe Collection.html
│   └── Travel Ideas.html
└── Archive/
    └── Old Projects.html

Markdown: Ideal for Migration and Knowledge Bases

Markdown export creates plain text files with simple formatting syntax. It's the native format for apps like Obsidian, Logseq, Notion, and many others.

What Markdown Does Well

• Plain text durability: Markdown files are just text - they'll be readable forever
• Perfect for Obsidian: Drop Markdown files into Obsidian and everything works
• Easy to edit: Any text editor can modify Markdown files
• Version control friendly: Works great with Git for tracking changes
• Lightweight: Small file sizes, fast to process
• Wide compatibility: Works with Obsidian, Logseq, Notion, Bear, iA Writer, and more

Markdown Limitations

• Formatting loss: Complex tables, colors, and fonts don't survive conversion
• Embedded content issues: PDFs and some attachments need special handling
• Inconsistent conversion: Different tools produce different results
• Checkbox syntax varies: Evernote checkboxes may not convert correctly

# Meeting Notes

Discussion points:

- Budget review
- Timeline update

![screenshot](attachments/screenshot.png)

Common Mistakes Users Make

Understanding these common errors helps you avoid repeating them.

Mistake 1: Choosing Based on File Size

Some users pick Markdown because the files are smaller. But smaller files often mean lost data. The question isn't "which format is smallest?" - it's "which format preserves what I need?"

Mistake 2: Exporting Once and Deleting Source

Users export their notes, confirm files exist, then delete everything from Evernote to save money on subscriptions. Months later, they discover the export is incomplete or corrupted. Always verify exports thoroughly before deleting the source.

Mistake 3: Assuming One Format Fits All

Different notes have different needs. Your recipe collection (simple text) has different requirements than your work project notes (complex tables, attached documents). A single export format may not serve all purposes.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Attachments

Users focus on note content and overlook attachments. In many accounts, attachments represent 90%+ of the data. An export that drops or corrupts attachments has lost most of your information.

Mistake 5: Not Testing the Export

Exporting is not the same as verifying. Users should open exported files, check that formatting survived, confirm attachments are present, and test the import process if migrating to another app. An untested backup is an unreliable backup.

A Safer Multi-Format Export Strategy

Given that each format has strengths and weaknesses, many users adopt a multi-format strategy. This provides flexibility and covers different future scenarios.

The Three-Format Approach

Keep exports in multiple formats, each serving a different purpose:

Storage Considerations

Yes, this means storing your notes multiple times. But storage is cheap compared to the value of your data. A 10 GB Evernote account might expand to 30-40 GB across three formats - still manageable on any modern drive or cloud storage plan.

Comparison Summary and Final Thoughts

Here's a complete comparison of all three formats to help you decide:

Quick Decision Guide

Final Thoughts

There's no single "best" format - only the best format for your specific needs. The key is to think about what you'll actually do with the exported files before you export.

For most users, a combination approach works best: ENEX for complete preservation, HTML for everyday reference, and Markdown if you're actively migrating to a Markdown-based app.

Whatever you choose, remember to verify your exports before relying on them. An untested backup is barely better than no backup at all.