MDMA Support

How do I open a Markdown file?

Choose File › Open, drag the file onto MDMA in the Dock, or double-click it once MDMA is your Markdown app (MDMA › Settings › General › Make MDMA the Default Viewer). MDMA opens .md, .markdown and the other common Markdown extensions, including .rmd and .qmd.

Why does MDMA ask for access to a folder?

MDMA runs in the macOS App Sandbox, so it can read only the file you opened. When a document shows images, uses data files or links to other documents next to it, MDMA shows “Images and files in … need your permission”. Click Allow Access… and choose the folder (or a folder above it). MDMA remembers your choice; you can remove folders in MDMA › Settings › General › Folder access.

Images don't show in Quick Look.

Quick Look previews run in their own sandbox and can't use the folders you allowed in MDMA, so images stored next to the file are not shown there. Images from the web are. Open the file in MDMA to see everything.

How does the free trial work?

The first time you open a document, MDMA offers a free 14-day trial. It starts when you click Start Free Trial and includes everything. When it ends, opening documents and Quick Look previews need MDMA Lifetime; windows that are already open stay open. The trial belongs to your Apple Account, so it runs once, even if you reinstall MDMA.

What is MDMA Lifetime?

A one-time purchase that unlocks MDMA for good, with every future update included. It works on every Mac signed in to the same Apple Account. MDMA › MDMA Lifetime… shows its status.

How do I restore my purchase on a new Mac?

Sign in to the App Store with the Apple Account you bought MDMA Lifetime with, open MDMA › MDMA Lifetime…, and click Restore Purchases.

How do I get a refund?

Purchases are made through Apple, so refunds are too: request one at reportaproblem.apple.com.

The page doesn't update when another app changes the file.

MDMA reloads a document as soon as it changes on disk, including when an editor saves it by replacing the file. If you have unsaved edits in MDMA, it asks whether to reload or keep your version instead. View › Reload (⌘R) reloads at any time; View › Follow Changes scrolls to each new change.

Which Markdown features does MDMA support?

GitHub-flavored Markdown with tables, task lists, footnotes, alerts, emoji and front matter; KaTeX math; Mermaid, Graphviz and mind maps; Vega-Lite, Chart.js and Plotly charts; function plots and CSV tables. Help › MDMA Feature Showcase opens a document with an example of each.

How do I change the theme or switch to dark mode?

Use the Aa menu in the toolbar or View › Theme: Modern, GitHub, Academic, Paper or Midnight. Appearance follows the system, or choose Light or Dark in the same menu. Midnight is always dark.

How do I export a document?

File › Export as PDF… (⌥⌘E) or Export as HTML…, or File › Print… (⌘P). Exports always use the light version of the theme.

What does MDMA need?

A Mac with macOS 14.4 or later.