Introduction to PPTX2MD
Overview
PPTX2MD is a sophisticated tool designed for converting PowerPoint files (.pptx) into Markdown format. Ideal for those who frequently work with both PowerPoint and Markdown, this tool allows users to seamlessly transition their presentations into a text-based format suitable for web publishing, technical documentation, or collaborative writing.
Key Features
Preserved Formats
PPTX2MD ensures the conversion retains several key elements of a PowerPoint presentation:
- Titles: The tool supports custom tables of contents with fuzzy matching to maintain hierarchical structure.
- Lists: Lists, regardless of depth, are accurately transformed into Markdown syntax.
- Text Styling: Text elements such as bold, italic, colors, and hyperlinks are preserved during conversion.
- Images: Pictures in the PowerPoint are extracted into image files, with their paths correctly integrated into the Markdown output.
- Tables: It supports tables, even those with merged cells, maintaining the integrity of your data presentation.
- Block Order: The tool follows a top-to-bottom then left-to-right block order for accurate content representation.
Supported Outputs
PPTX2MD is versatile in its conversion capabilities, allowing you to output in:
- Markdown
- Tiddlywiki's wikitext
- Madoko format
Installation and Usage
Installation
To get started with PPTX2MD, ensure you have Python version 3.6 or later installed on your system. You can install the tool via pip with the following command:
pip install pptx2md
Usage
After installation, using PPTX2MD is straightforward. Convert a PowerPoint file by executing the following command in your terminal:
pptx2md [pptx filename]
Your converted file will be saved as out.md, and any extracted images will be stored in an /img/ folder. Note that older PowerPoint files (.ppt) need conversion to the newer .pptx format before using this tool.
Upgrading and Uninstalling
To upgrade PPTX2MD, run:
pip install --upgrade pptx2md
To remove it from your system, use:
pip uninstall pptx2md
Custom Titles
For a tailored table of contents, PPTX2MD allows users to define a custom title hierarchy through a separate file. This feature provides significant flexibility in organizing your converted document. Indentation in the title file dictates heading levels (e.g., two spaces for a second-level heading).
Using your custom title file can be done with:
pptx2md [filename] -t titles.txt
Additional Features and Arguments
PPTX2MD offers several arguments to fine-tune the conversion process:
-t [filename]: Specifies a custom title file.-o [filename]: Sets the path for the output file.-i [path]: Designates a directory for image extractions.--image-width [width]: Limits image width.--disable-image: Omits image extraction.--disable-escaping: Stops escaping special characters.--disable-notes: Excludes presenter notes.--disable-color: Removes color tags in HTML.--enable-slides: Demarcates slides, beneficial for Markdown slide conversion.--min-block-size [size]: Sets a minimum character count for text blocks.- Support for Tiddlywiki, Madoko, and Quarto by using
--wiki,--mdk, or--qmd, respectively.
Installing Wand is recommended for better conversion of certain image formats when needed.
Conclusion
PPTX2MD is a robust tool that bridges the gap between visual presentations and Markdown documents, preserving essential elements and providing extensive customization options. Whether you're documenting technical details, creating web content, or working in team settings, PPTX2MD offers a comprehensive solution for seamlessly converting and preserving your presentation content.