DOCX To Md

DOCX to Markdown Converter

Objectives

• Convert Word documents (.docx) to Markdown (.md)
• Preserve formatting (headings, lists, tables, bold, italic)
• Extract and save embedded images
• Handle batch conversions
• Support template-based conversions

Core Strategy

1. Use Mammoth (Python)

Mammoth is the recommended tool:

• Pure Python solution - no external dependencies
• Good conversion quality
• Easy to customize
• Works cross-platform
• CRITICAL: Preserves original content exactly - no modifications

2. Python with Mammoth

CRITICAL: Only convert format, never modify content.

import mammoth
from pathlib import Path

def docx_to_md_mammoth(docx_path: Path, md_path: Path):
    """
    Convert DOCX to Markdown using mammoth.
    
    CRITICAL: This function only converts format.
    It does NOT modify any content, titles, or text.
    """
    with open(docx_path, 'rb') as docx_file:
        result = mammoth.convert_to_markdown(docx_file)
        md_path.write_text(result.value, encoding='utf-8')
    
    # Print warnings
    for message in result.messages:
        print(f"Warning: {message}")
    
    return md_path

3. Installation

# Install mammoth
uv add mammoth

4. Batch Conversion

from pathlib import Path
import mammoth

def batch_convert(input_dir: Path, output_dir: Path):
    """Convert all DOCX files in directory."""
    output_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
    
    for docx_file in input_dir.glob('*.docx'):
        if docx_file.name.startswith('~$'):  # Skip temp files
            continue
        
        md_file = output_dir / f"{docx_file.stem}.md"
        
        with open(docx_file, 'rb') as f:
            result = mammoth.convert_to_markdown(f)
            md_file.write_text(result.value, encoding='utf-8')
        
        print(f"✓ Converted: {docx_file.name} -> {md_file.name}")

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: Convert with Image Insertion

import subprocess
from pathlib import Path

def convert_with_images(docx_path: Path, output_dir: Path):
    """Convert DOCX and organize images."""
    md_path = output_dir / f"{docx_path.stem}.md"
    images_dir = output_dir / 'images'
    
    # Convert
    subprocess.run([
        'pandoc',
        str(docx_path),
        '-o', str(md_path),
        '--extract-media', str(images_dir)
    ])
    
    # Update image paths in markdown
    content = md_path.read_text(encoding='utf-8')
    content = content.replace('](media/', '](images/')
    md_path.write_text(content, encoding='utf-8')
    
    return md_path

Pattern 2: Template-Based Conversion

def convert_lab_template(docx_path: Path, output_path: Path):
    """Convert lab answer document with specific formatting."""
    # Convert
    subprocess.run([
        'pandoc',
        str(docx_path),
        '-o', str(output_path),
        '--wrap=none',
        '--atx-headers'
    ])
    
    # Post-process: Add front matter
    content = output_path.read_text(encoding='utf-8')
    
    front_matter = """---
title: Lab Assignment
author: Your Name
date: 2026-01-22
---

"""
    
    output_path.write_text(front_matter + content, encoding='utf-8')

Pattern 3: Auto-Insert Screenshots

def insert_screenshots(md_path: Path, images_dir: Path):
    """Automatically insert screenshots into markdown."""
    content = md_path.read_text(encoding='utf-8')
    
    # Find all image files
    images = sorted(images_dir.glob('*.png'))
    
    # Insert images at appropriate locations
    for i, img in enumerate(images, 1):
        marker = f"<!-- INSERT_IMAGE_{i} -->"
        if marker in content:
            img_markdown = f"![Step {i}]({img.relative_to(md_path.parent)})\n"
            content = content.replace(marker, img_markdown)
    
    md_path.write_text(content, encoding='utf-8')

Installation

# Install mammoth
uv add mammoth

Common Issues

Images not extracted → Mammoth converts images to base64 embedded in markdown

Chinese characters garbled → Ensure UTF-8 encoding when writing file

Tables broken → Mammoth handles simple tables, complex tables may need manual adjustment

Formatting lost → Mammoth preserves basic formatting (bold, italic, headings, lists)

Temp files (~$*.docx) → Skip files starting with ~$ in batch processing

Helper Scripts

Use provided scripts for common tasks:

# Convert single file
uv run python .skills/dev-docx_to_md/scripts/convert_docx_mammoth.py input.docx output.md

# Batch convert
uv run python .skills/dev-docx_to_md/scripts/batch_convert.py input_dir/ output_dir/

References

For detailed examples: See references/examples.md

For pandoc filters: See references/filters.md

For troubleshooting: See references/troubleshooting.md

Quick Reference

# Install
uv add mammoth

# Convert single file (Python)
uv run python -c "import mammoth; print(mammoth.convert_to_markdown(open('input.docx', 'rb')).value)" > output.md

# Or use helper script
uv run python .skills/dev-docx_to_md/scripts/convert_docx_mammoth.py input.docx output.md