back
loading skill details...
>
Markdown to Office Skill
Overview
This skill enables conversion from Markdown to various Office formats using Pandoc - the universal document converter. Convert your Markdown files to professional Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, and more while preserving formatting and structure.
How to Use
Provide the Markdown content or file
Specify the target format (docx, pptx, pdf, etc.)
Optionally provide a reference template for styling
I'll convert using Pandoc with optimal settings
Example prompts:
"Convert this README.md to a professional Word document"
"Turn my markdown notes into a PowerPoint presentation"
"Generate a PDF from this markdown with custom styling"
"Create a Word doc from this markdown using company template"
Domain Knowledge
Pandoc Fundamentals
# Basic conversion
pandoc input.md -o output.docx
pandoc input.md -o output.pdf
pandoc input.md -o output.pptx
# With template
pandoc input.md --reference-doc=template.docx -o output.docx
# Multiple inputs
pandoc ch1.md ch2.md ch3.md -o book.docx
Supported Conversions
From
To
Command
Markdown
Word
pandoc in.md -o out.docx
Markdown
PDF
pandoc in.md -o out.pdf
Markdown
PowerPoint
pandoc in.md -o out.pptx
Markdown
HTML
pandoc in.md -o out.html
Markdown
LaTeX
pandoc in.md -o out.tex
Markdown
EPUB
pandoc in.md -o out.epub
Markdown to Word (.docx)
Basic Conversion
pandoc document.md -o document.docx
With Template (Reference Doc)
# First create a template by converting sample
pandoc sample.md -o reference.docx
# Edit reference.docx styles in Word, then use it
pandoc input.md --reference-doc=reference.docx -o output.docx
With Table of Contents
pandoc document.md --toc --toc-depth=3 -o document.docx
With Metadata
pandoc document.md \
--metadata title="My Report" \
--metadata author="John Doe" \
--metadata date="2024-01-15" \
-o document.docx
Markdown to PDF
Via LaTeX (Best Quality)
# Requires LaTeX installation
pandoc document.md -o document.pdf
# With custom settings
pandoc document.md \
--pdf-engine=xelatex \
-V geometry:margin=1in \
-V fontsize=12pt \
-o document.pdf
Via HTML/wkhtmltopdf
pandoc document.md \
--pdf-engine=wkhtmltopdf \
--css=style.css \
-o document.pdf
PDF Options
pandoc document.md \
-V papersize:a4 \
-V geometry:margin=2cm \
-V fontfamily:libertinus \
-V colorlinks:true \
--toc \
-o document.pdf
Markdown to PowerPoint (.pptx)
Basic Conversion
pandoc slides.md -o presentation.pptx
Markdown Structure for Slides
---
title: Presentation Title
author: Author Name
date: January 2024
---
# Section Header (creates section divider)
## Slide Title
- Bullet point 1
- Bullet point 2
- Sub-bullet
## Another Slide
Content here
::: notes
Speaker notes go here (not visible in slides)
:::
## Slide with Image
{width=80%}
## Two Column Slide
:::::::::::::: {.columns}
::: {.column width="50%"}
Left column content
:::
::: {.column width="50%"}
Right column content
:::
::::::::::::::
With Template
# Use corporate PowerPoint template
pandoc slides.md --reference-doc=template.pptx -o presentation.pptx
YAML Frontmatter
Add metadata at the top of your Markdown:
---
title: "Document Title"
author: "Author Name"
date: "2024-01-15"
abstract: "Brief description"
toc: true
toc-depth: 2
numbersections: true
geometry: margin=1in
fontsize: 11pt
documentclass: report
---
# First Chapter
...
Python Integration
import subprocess
import os
def md_to_docx(input_path, output_path, template=None):
"""Convert Markdown to Word document."""
cmd = ['pandoc', input_path, '-o', output_path]
if template:
cmd.extend(['--reference-doc', template])
subprocess.run(cmd, check=True)
return output_path
def md_to_pdf(input_path, output_path, **options):
"""Convert Markdown to PDF with options."""
cmd = ['pandoc', input_path, '-o', output_path]
if options.get('toc'):
cmd.append('--toc')
if options.get('margin'):
cmd.extend(['-V', f"geometry:margin={options['margin']}"])
subprocess.run(cmd, check=True)
return output_path
def md_to_pptx(input_path, output_path, template=None):
"""Convert Markdown to PowerPoint."""
cmd = ['pandoc', input_path, '-o', output_path]
if template:
cmd.extend(['--reference-doc', template])
subprocess.run(cmd, check=True)
return output_path
pypandoc (Python Wrapper)
import pypandoc
# Simple conversion
output = pypandoc.convert_file('input.md', 'docx', outputfile='output.docx')
# With options
output = pypandoc.convert_file(
'input.md',
'docx',
outputfile='output.docx',
extra_args=['--toc', '--reference-doc=template.docx']
)
# From string
md_content = "# Hello\n\nThis is markdown."
output = pypandoc.convert_text(md_content, 'docx', format='md', outputfile='output.docx')
Best Practices
Use Templates: Create a reference document for consistent branding
Structure Headers: Use consistent heading levels (## for slides, # for sections)
Test Incrementally: Convert small sections first to verify formatting
Include Metadata: Use YAML frontmatter for document properties
Handle Images: Use relative paths and specify dimensions
Common Patterns
Batch Conversion
import subprocess
from pathlib import Path
def batch_convert(input_dir, output_format, output_dir=None):
"""Convert all markdown files in a directory."""
input_path = Path(input_dir)
output_path = Path(output_dir) if output_dir else input_path
for md_file in input_path.glob('*.md'):
output_file = output_path / md_file.with_suffix(f'.{output_format}').name
subprocess.run([
'pandoc', str(md_file), '-o', str(output_file)
], check=True)
print(f"Converted: {md_file.name} -> {output_file.name}")
batch_convert('./docs', 'docx', './output')
Report Generator
def generate_report(title, sections, output_path, template=None):
"""Generate Word report from structured data."""
# Build markdown
md_content = f"""---
title: "{title}"
date: "{datetime.now().strftime('%B %d, %Y')}"
---
"""
for section_title, content in sections.items():
md_content += f"# {section_title}\n\n{content}\n\n"
# Write temp file
with open('temp_report.md', 'w') as f:
f.write(md_content)
# Convert
cmd = ['pandoc', 'temp_report.md', '-o', output_path, '--toc']
if template:
cmd.extend(['--reference-doc', template])
subprocess.run(cmd, check=True)
os.remove('temp_report.md')
Examples
Example 1: Technical Documentation
import subprocess
# Create comprehensive markdown
doc = """---
title: "API Documentation"
author: "Dev Team"
date: "2024-01-15"
toc: true
toc-depth: 2
---
# Introduction
This document describes the REST API for our service.
## Authentication
All API requests require an API key in the header:
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
## Endpoints
### GET /users
Retrieve all users.
**Response:**
| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| id | integer | User ID |
| name | string | Full name |
| email | string | Email address |
### POST /users
Create a new user.
**Request Body:**
```json
{
"name": "John Doe",
"email": "john@example.com"
}
Error Codes
Code
Meaning
400
Bad Request
401
Unauthorized
404
Not Found
500
Server Error
"""
Save markdown
with open('api_docs.md', 'w') as f:
f.write(doc)
Convert to Word
subprocess.run([
'pandoc', 'api_docs.md',
'-o', 'api_documentation.docx',
'--toc',
'--reference-doc', 'company_template.docx'
], check=True)
Convert to PDF
subprocess.run([
'pandoc', 'api_docs.md',
'-o', 'api_documentation.pdf',
'--toc',
'-V', 'geometry:margin=1in',
'-V', 'fontsize=11pt'
], check=True)
### Example 2: Presentation from Markdown
```python
slides_md = """---
title: "Q4 Business Review"
author: "Sales Team"
date: "January 2024"
---
# Overview
## Agenda
- Q4 Performance Summary
- Regional Highlights
- 2024 Outlook
- Q&A
# Q4 Performance
## Key Metrics
- Revenue: $12.5M (+15% YoY)
- New Customers: 250
- Retention Rate: 94%
## Regional Performance
:::::::::::::: {.columns}
::: {.column width="50%"}
**North America**
- Revenue: $6.2M
- Growth: +18%
:::
::: {.column width="50%"}
**Europe**
- Revenue: $4.1M
- Growth: +12%
:::
::::::::::::::
# 2024 Outlook
## Strategic Priorities
1. Expand APAC presence
2. Launch new product line
3. Improve customer onboarding
## Revenue Targets
| Quarter | Target |
|---------|--------|
| Q1 | $13M |
| Q2 | $14M |
| Q3 | $15M |
| Q4 | $16M |
# Thank You
## Questions?
Contact: sales@company.com
"""
with open('presentation.md', 'w') as f:
f.write(slides_md)
subprocess.run([
'pandoc', 'presentation.md',
'-o', 'q4_review.pptx',
'--reference-doc', 'company_slides.pptx'
], check=True)
Limitations
Complex Word formatting may not convert perfectly
PDF conversion requires LaTeX or wkhtmltopdf
PowerPoint animations not supported
Some advanced tables may need manual adjustment
Image positioning can be tricky
Installation
# macOS
brew install pandoc
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get install pandoc
# Windows
choco install pandoc
# Python wrapper
pip install pypandoc
Resources
Pandoc User's Guide
GitHub Repository
Pandoc Templates
pypandoc Documentationdon't have the plugin yet? install it then click "run inline in claude" again.