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Markdown vs Word for NotebookLM notes
Short answer
Export NotebookLM notes as Markdown when they are going into a notes app, wiki or repository, and as Word when someone will edit, comment on or format them as a document. Markdown is plain text and free without limit; Word keeps page layout and counts toward 5 free exports a day.
Side by side
| Markdown (.md) | Word (.docx) | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens in | Obsidian, Notion, Logseq, GitHub, any editor | Word, Google Docs, Pages |
| Layout | None; the app decides | Pages, headers, table of contents |
| Track changes and comments | No | Yes |
| Citations | Markers or footnote syntax | Real footnotes |
| Plan | Free, unlimited | Free 5 a day, unlimited with Pro |
Which to choose
- Choose Markdown (.md) if the note is knowledge you will link, search and reuse.
- Choose Word (.docx) if the note is a deliverable for a teacher, client or colleague.
Free or Pro?
The basics are free; the advanced options listed on this page need Ultra Exporter Pro. Pro covers the extension only; it does not include a Google subscription or raise NotebookLM's own limits. Current prices are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Markdown (.md) or Word (.docx): which is better?
Neither in general. Choose Markdown (.md) if the note is knowledge you will link, search and reuse. Choose Word (.docx) if the note is a deliverable for a teacher, client or colleague.
Can I convert later?
Yes, tools such as Pandoc convert between them, but exporting in the right format first avoids cleanup.
Related guides
How to export NotebookLM notes to Markdown. You get a .md file with headings, lists, tables and links intact, ready for Obsidian, Notion or a Git repository.
How to export NotebookLM notes to Word. You get an editable .docx with real headings, lists and tables.
NotebookLM has no Obsidian integration, but Obsidian reads plain Markdown files, so the route is a Markdown export.
Export a NotebookLM report to Word when it will be edited, and to PDF when it will only be read, printed or archived.
An image PPTX keeps the exact look NotebookLM generated, but every slide is one picture and its text cannot be changed.
Both export a NotebookLM mind map as an editable tree, and both are free. OPML is an outline format: best for outliners such as Workflowy and OmniOutliner.
PNG is a fixed-resolution picture that works everywhere, including slides, chats and documents.
CSV is the most widely accepted table format, used by Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion and databases.