General Questions
What is HTML to Markdown conversion?
HTML to Markdown conversion is the process of transforming HTML (HyperText Markup Language) content into Markdown format. Markdown is a lightweight markup language that's easier to read and write than HTML, commonly used for documentation, README files, and content management.
Why would I need to convert HTML to Markdown?
Common reasons include:
- Content Migration: Moving content from HTML-based systems to Markdown-based platforms
- Documentation: Converting HTML documentation to Markdown for version control
- Blog Posts: Transforming HTML blog posts to Markdown format
- Email Content: Converting HTML emails to Markdown
- Website Content: Extracting and converting content from websites
Is the conversion always perfect?
While the tool provides high-quality conversions, some complex HTML structures may require manual adjustment. The tool handles most common HTML elements well, but very complex layouts or custom styling might need post-processing.
Technical Questions
What HTML elements are supported?
The tool supports all standard HTML elements including:
- Headings (H1-H6)
- Paragraphs and text formatting
- Lists (ordered and unordered)
- Tables
- Links and images
- Code blocks and inline code
- Blockquotes
- Horizontal rules
Can I customize the conversion process?
Yes! The tool offers several customization options:
- Choose which elements to preserve
- Select output format (standard Markdown or GitHub Flavored Markdown)
- Configure link and image handling
- Adjust code block formatting
What's the difference between Markdown and GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM)?
- Standard Markdown: Basic Markdown syntax compatible with most parsers
- GitHub Flavored Markdown: Enhanced version with additional features like tables, strikethrough, task lists, and autolinks
How does the tool handle complex HTML structures?
The tool uses the Turndown library, which is designed to handle complex HTML structures gracefully. It can process:
- Nested lists and tables
- Complex table structures
- Multi-level headings
- Mixed content types
Usage Questions
Is there a file size limit?
The tool can handle reasonably large HTML documents. For very large files, consider breaking them into smaller sections for better performance.
Can I convert multiple files at once?
Currently, the tool processes one HTML document at a time. You can use the history feature to manage multiple conversions and reuse settings.
How do I preserve specific formatting?
Use the conversion settings to choose which elements to preserve:
- Enable "Keep Links" to preserve hyperlinks
- Enable "Keep Images" to maintain image references
- Enable "Keep Tables" to preserve table structure
- Enable "Keep Code Blocks" for code formatting
What if my HTML has custom CSS classes?
The tool focuses on semantic HTML structure rather than styling. CSS classes are generally not preserved in the Markdown output, but the content structure is maintained.
Troubleshooting
The conversion doesn't look right. What should I do?
- Check your HTML: Ensure the HTML is well-formed
- Try different settings: Experiment with the conversion options
- Clean the HTML: Remove unnecessary attributes and styling
- Use the preview: Check the live preview before exporting
Some content is missing after conversion. Why?
This could happen if:
- The HTML contains unsupported elements
- Conversion settings are filtering out certain content
- The HTML structure is malformed
Try adjusting the conversion settings or cleaning the HTML input.
Can I undo a conversion?
Yes! Use the history feature to access previous conversions and restore them. You can also use your browser's back button or reload the page to start fresh.
The tool is running slowly. What can I do?
For large HTML documents:
- Break the content into smaller sections
- Remove unnecessary HTML attributes
- Close and reopen the tool if needed
Best Practices
How can I get the best conversion results?
- Use clean HTML: Remove unnecessary styling and attributes
- Test different settings: Try various conversion options
- Review the output: Always check the preview before finalizing
- Use semantic HTML: Proper HTML structure leads to better Markdown
- Save successful settings: Use the history feature to reuse good configurations
Should I clean my HTML before conversion?
Yes, cleaning HTML before conversion often produces better results:
- Remove inline styles
- Remove unnecessary attributes
- Ensure proper HTML structure
- Remove empty elements
Can I use this tool for production content?
The tool is designed for reliable conversion, but always review the output before using in production. For critical content, consider testing with a small sample first.