# Live preview and view modes

> Write in raw markdown or a rendered view, whichever suits the moment.

Source: https://notate.md/docs/writing/live-preview/

Category: Writing & Markdown

Updated: 2026-09-17

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Notate gives you four ways to look at a note, switched from the row directly above the text.

## The four view modes

- **Editor** shows the raw markdown source with syntax highlighting.
- **Live** renders structure inline as you type, so headings, lists, tables, and checkboxes look finished while you stay in the flow.
- **Split** puts the source and a rendered preview side by side.
- **Preview** shows the fully rendered note on its own.

Pick a default in **Settings** so new notes always open the way you like.

## Handy toggles

That same row has toggles for **line numbers** and for showing the note's **frontmatter**, so you can keep metadata out of the way until you need it.

## Ticking off a task

In **Live** mode a task written as `- [ ]` renders as a real checkbox, and clicking it ticks the task off. Notate rewrites the `[ ]` to `[x]` in the note itself, so the change is saved in the file like any other edit and syncs to your other devices. It works from the keyboard as well: tab to the checkbox and press Space or Enter. Put the cursor on the line and the raw brackets come back, so you can always edit the source directly instead.