MarkItDown Tutorial: Install, Python API & Command Line

MarkItDown turns everyday file formats into Markdown for text-oriented workflows. Choose the browser tool for an occasional file, or the Python package when you need a repeatable local process.

Use the online converter

Choose a supported document under 20 MB and press Convert to Markdown. The Markdown tab shows the exact text you will download. The Preview tab helps you spot broken headings and tables. Copy the result into your editor or download the .md file. Use the HTTPS address and start with non-sensitive sample files during this preview.

Run it locally when privacy or repeatability matters

Microsoft distributes MarkItDown as a Python library and command-line program. A local installation keeps the basic conversion workflow on your own computer. Install only the format extras you need; the PDF, DOCX, PPTX and XLSX extras cover common office documents. Refer to the upstream README for supported Python versions and installation updates.

Keep the source and the result

A Markdown file is a useful derived representation, not a replacement for the original. Keep the original document alongside it so that you can verify quotations, numbers and reading order. Rename the .md file clearly and add a source note in your knowledge base.

Choose the right next step

For notes, inspect headings and lists. For search, confirm that important terms were extracted. For an AI assistant, remove repetitive headers and split long documents into meaningful sections. If a scan produces no text, use OCR first instead of repeatedly retrying the same file.

pip install "markitdown[pdf,docx,pptx,xlsx]"
markitdown document.docx -o document.md

# Python API
from markitdown import MarkItDown
result = MarkItDown(enable_plugins=False).convert("document.docx")
print(result.text_content)