Markdown lets developers, writers and note-taking apps keep text readable as plain text while still marking up headings, lists and emphasis. Most readers, though, can't open it in formatted form. Markdown to PDF converts the file with Pandoc and renders it as a styled document, so a README, a meeting-notes file or a piece of documentation becomes a PDF anyone can read.
How to use Markdown to PDF
- Add the .md or .markdown file.
- Select Convert to PDF.
- Download the PDF.
- Check tables, code blocks and links in the result.
What gets formatted
- Common Markdown syntax: Pandoc understands the common Markdown syntax: headings, paragraphs, bold and italic text, ordered and unordered lists, block quotes, links, horizontal rules, fenced code blocks and pipe tables.
- Links stay clickable: It converts them to HTML, which is then laid out on PDF pages, and links stay clickable in the PDF.
- Mathematical notation written in TeX isn't typeset as equations, so documents that rely heavily on math need a dedicated typesetting tool.
Images, and servers without Pandoc
- Relative image paths: The tool converts a single Markdown file, so images referenced by relative paths aren't available, and images from web addresses are blocked for security.
- Convert diagrams separately with Any Image to PDF if you need them.
- Without Pandoc: Formatting depends on Pandoc being installed on the server. Where it isn't, VelloDoc still produces a PDF but shows the Markdown as plain text with its symbols visible.
Documentation workflows
- Sharing outside a repository: Markdown to PDF suits sharing documentation with people outside a code repository, like clients, auditors or managers.
- Building a handbook: Combine several converted files into one handbook with Merge PDF and number the pages with Add Page Numbers.
- For plain notes without structure, TXT to PDF is enough, and PDF to Markdown extracts text back out.
- Where to read more: The format guide explains the trade-offs.
When people use Markdown to PDF
README files for non-developers
Give clients or managers a readable PDF of a project's README without asking them to browse a repository.
Meeting notes and journals
Turn notes kept in Markdown apps into documents you can file, print or email as minutes.
Technical documentation
Package setup guides and runbooks as PDFs for audits, handovers or offline reference.
Limitations to know
Markdown to PDF converts one file at a time, so relative images aren't included and remote images are blocked. TeX math isn't typeset. Full formatting requires Pandoc on the server. Without it the output is plain text. WeasyPrint is also required.
Markdown to PDF: common questions
Which Markdown syntax is supported?
Headings, emphasis, lists, block quotes, links, fenced code blocks, horizontal rules and pipe tables are all supported through Pandoc.
Why are my images missing?
Only the Markdown file itself is uploaded, so images referenced by relative paths can't be found, and remote images are blocked. Convert images separately and merge the PDFs if needed.
Why does my PDF show raw Markdown symbols?
The server doesn't have Pandoc installed, so the file was rendered as plain text. A server with Pandoc produces formatted output.
Is code syntax-highlighted?
Code blocks keep their monospaced layout and line breaks. Color highlighting depends on the server's Pandoc version, so don't rely on it for the meaning of the code.