Try each view on the same note

  1. Open a note you can safely edit.
  2. Press Control-Command-1 for Visual Editor, Control-Command-2 for Markdown Source, or Control-Command-3 for Split Preview.
  3. Press Command-E to read the finished note. Press it again to return to editing.

If the shortcut does something else

Check the active app and any custom shortcuts. Use the menu bar to confirm the selected view instead of repeating keys blindly.

Four views, one saved file

All four views are free. The view changes how you work with one file, not where the file is stored.