Start here.
Use the CSV for a searchable collection of passages or the Markdown template for one book at a time. Both separate quoted text from personal notes and preserve source details.
Start with attribution
Record book, author, edition, and chapter or location before copying a passage. Future you should be able to find the original context without reconstructing which device or app was used.
Give your note its own field
Write why the excerpt matters or what you disagree with. Keep that interpretation outside the quotation field. The distinction is valuable when you later use the note in writing or research.
Review by question
Use a small group of topic or project tags. Filter the spreadsheet or search the Markdown files to compare several authors on one question. Preserve the original source when writing a synthesis.
The details, at a glance.
| Consider | What to look for |
|---|---|
| CSV | One passage per row; useful for filtering |
| Markdown | One book per note; useful for writing |
| Source fields | Book, author, edition, location |
| Personal fields | Your note, tags, and next question |
A few things worth asking.
Does the template import highlights automatically?
No. Use your reading app’s export and map its fields, or enter passages manually.
Is there a worked example?
Yes. The Markdown download includes a clearly labeled fictional example to show the structure.
Written by Binge Reader. Our comparisons explain documented workflows and practical tradeoffs; they are not independent product benchmarks.