Markitdown: Convert Files to Markdown with Python and AI

Overview of Markitdown

Markitdown is a cutting-edge Python Markdown converter that transforms various file types—PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, images, HTML files, and audio—into Markdown format. With a flexible command-line interface (CLI), a Python API for custom workflows, and Docker support, it’s a versatile Markitdown tool for developers and content creators in 2025.

Its standout features include Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and AI-driven image descriptions via large language models, making it ideal for complex AI document processing tasks.

Key Features of Markitdown

1. File Conversion

Markitdown converts diverse formats into Markdown, including:

• Text files (.txt)
• PDFs
• Word documents (.docx)
• Excel sheets (.xlsx)
• HTML files
• Images and audio

2. Language Model Integration

AI enhancements include:

• Image-to-text via OCR Markdown
• Automated summarization and metadata extraction
• Advanced OCR for printed text

3. CLI and Python API

A robust CLI and Python API enable seamless integration into automation workflows.

4. Docker Compatibility

Docker support ensures easy deployment across platforms.

5. Custom Configuration

Tailor settings via config files for specific needs.

6. Open Source

Freely available on GitHub, inviting community contributions.

Installation and Usage

Installation

Install via pip:

pip install markitdown

Or build from source at the GitHub repository.

Basic Usage

Convert a file with:

markitdown input.pdf output.md

Batch process files:

markitdown ./docs/*.docx

Python API Example

Simple conversion:

from markitdown import convert
convert("example.pdf", "output.md")

Advanced usage with class:

from markitdown import MarkItDown
md = MarkItDown()
result = md.convert("test.xlsx")
print(result.text_content)

With AI for image descriptions:

from markitdown import MarkItDown
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(api_key="your-api-key")  # Replace with your key
md = MarkItDown(llm_client=client, llm_model="gpt-4o")
result = md.convert("example.jpg")
print(result.text_content)

Docker Integration

Run with Docker:

docker run -v $(pwd):/data markitdown:latest input.pdf output.md

Practical Use Cases

1. Documentation Automation
   Convert existing docs to Markdown for project documentation.
2. Archiving and Indexing
   Transform legacy files into Markdown for Git storage.
3. AI-Powered Insights
   Extract content from multimedia with AI and OCR Markdown.
4. Development Workflow Integration
   Enhance Markdown-based workflows like blogging or repo management.

Community and Contribution

Backed by Microsoft, tool thrives as an open-source project. Join the community on its GitHub page for docs, examples, and discussions.

Conclusion

Markitdown is a game-changer for Markdown users, blending file conversion, AI integration, and Docker Markdown tool support. Whether you’re digitizing documents or automating workflows, this Python Markdown converter simplifies content management in 2025 with Markdown’s universal appeal.