How to Export PDF Annotations to a Separate PDF File on Mac
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![Artwork showing text, tables and images being extracted from the Highlights app icon to a PDF file](/img/export/highlights-pdf-mac.png)
Highlights extracts highlighted text and other types of annotations from PDFs and lets you save them as a separate PDF file on your Mac for free.
1. Open the PDF document in Highlights
From the menu bar choose File > Open. Locate and select the file you want to open, then click Open:
![Window for opening PDF file in Highlights on macOS 11 Big Sur](/img/mac/open-file.png)
The PDF opens in a window with your notes on the right:
![Highlights document window for macOS 11 Big Sur](/img/mac/document-window.png)
Your notes contain highlighted text and annotations that have been extracted using specific rules from the PDF.
2. Click the Share icon
This will bring up the export menu:
![Export menu](/img/mac/export.png)
For free users of Highlights, PDF will be the only enabled option in the export menu. Unlock Pro to get access to all options.
3. Select PDF
This brings up a save dialog.
4. Choose where you want to save it and click save
Your note is now saved as a PDF file.
If you want to change how Highlights export your annotations, you can change what is included and the appearance of your notes in the note format preference pane:
![Note format preference pane](/img/mac/preferences/note-format.png)
You can also create your own sorting order for annotations using color categories.