To convert Word to Markdown on Windows, add your DOCX file to MD Factory, choose an output folder, and click Convert. The app saves a Markdown file and any exported images on your PC.

You can convert one document or a whole folder. You do not need Microsoft Office installed to convert an existing DOCX file.

A paper manuscript and open notebook beside a closed laptop.
A document you can edit as plain text.

Start with the DOCX file

If you have both a Word document and a PDF copy, use the DOCX file. MD Factory can read its headings, paragraphs, lists, links, tables, and embedded images directly. There is no need to print it to PDF first.

Check the file extension. MD Factory accepts DOCX, but does not convert older DOC files. For a DOC file, open it in Word and save a new copy as Word Document (.docx). Microsoft's guide to converting older documents describes the Save As option. Keep the original copy.

Choose the document you want to work from. If a folder contains drafts and a final copy, start with the final copy rather than converting everything and sorting it out later.

Convert with MD Factory

  1. Open MD Factory on your Windows PC.
  2. Add your DOCX file. To convert several documents, add a folder instead.
  3. Choose a separate folder for the Markdown output.
  4. Click Convert and wait for the queue to finish.
  5. Open the output folder and check the converted file.

Each document gets its own Markdown file. Your original files stay unchanged. Conversion runs locally, so you do not need to upload the document to a website. See the MD Factory privacy policy for details.

For a folder of documents, try one representative file first. A handbook with headings, a table, and a few images will show you what to expect before you convert the rest.

Check the Markdown

Open the result in your Markdown editor beside the Word document. Markdown uses simple text formatting for headings, lists, links, and images. Expect a readable document rather than an exact copy of Word's page layout.

Check the parts you will use. Section headings should be in the right order, list items should stay together, and links should point to the intended pages.

Pay closer attention to tables with merged cells, text boxes, equations, and floating images. These may need manual cleanup. For an important table, compare the row labels and values with the original. GitHub's table guide shows how to edit a Markdown table.

Keep images with the text

Images are saved in a folder next to the Markdown file, and the Markdown links to them. When you move the result into your notes or a project, move both together. Copying only the Markdown file can leave its image links pointing to files you left behind.

Open the Markdown in its new location and check that the images appear. Keep the original DOCX available if you need to confirm a diagram or a difficult passage.

If your next step is to give the documents to an AI agent, our document preparation guide covers how to organize the converted folder.