Markdown to RTF, explained
Rich Text Format is the lowest common denominator of word processors. Almost every editor opens it, including WordPad, TextEdit and older versions of Word, which makes it a safe choice when you don't know what the recipient uses.
What is converted, and how
- Headings
- Bold paragraphs in a larger size.
- Emphasis
- Bold, italic and strikethrough are kept.
- Lists
- Indented, with bullets or numbers.
- Tables
- Simple RTF tables.
- Code
- A monospaced font.
- Links
- Stay clickable in editors that support them.
Limitations
- Headings are formatted text, not heading styles, so there is no navigation pane or automatic table of contents. Choose Word or ODT if you need those.
- Images are only included when embedded as
data:URIs.
Tips
- Use RTF for old software or for pasting formatted text into another program. For modern Word, .docx gives better results.
- Not sure about the syntax? See the Markdown cheat sheet.
Other formats
- Markdown to PDFA4, clean typography, syntax-highlighted code.
- Markdown to WordHeadings map to Word heading styles, so the navigation pane works.
- Markdown to ExcelEach table becomes a sheet named after the heading above it. Numbers stay numbers. No tables? One paragraph per row.
- Markdown to PowerPointEvery heading starts a new slide.
- Markdown to ODTOpenDocument Text for LibreOffice Writer, with real heading styles.
- Markdown to EPUBTop-level headings become chapters.
- Markdown to HTMLSingle standalone page with styles inlined.
- Markdown to LaTeXStandalone .tex, ready for pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX or Overleaf.
- Markdown to Plain textMarkdown syntax removed, structure kept readable.