markitdown
Python tool for converting files and office documents to Markdown.
What is it?
What it is
> [!IMPORTANT] > MarkItDown performs I/O with the privileges of the current process. Like open() or requests.get(), it will access resources that the process itself can access. Sanitize your inputs in untrusted environments, and call the narrowest `convert_*` function needed for your use case (e.g., `convert_stream()`, or `convert_local()`). See the Security Considerations section of the documentation for more information.
Why it exists
Python tool for converting files and office documents to Markdown.
Who should use it
Teams building with Python who want an open-source, self-hosted option.
Who should avoid it
Teams that need a fully managed SaaS with enterprise SLAs out of the box.
How it works
A quick walkthrough in plain English
How markitdown works
Step 1 of 3
You interact with it
Open markitdown, send a request, or connect it to your stack.
Features
Advantages
- Open source (MIT)
- Active Python ecosystem
- Self-hosted deployment options
Disadvantages
- Requires operational ownership for self-hosted setups
- Community support varies by project maturity
Installation
native
git clone git@github.com:microsoft/markitdown.git cd markitdown pip install -e 'packages/markitdown[all]'
FAQ
What is markitdown?
markitdown is an open-source project licensed under MIT.
What language is markitdown built with?
Primary language: Python.
Is it free to use?
Yes. Licensed under MIT. Check the license for commercial use.
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