Does it require an internet connection or API keys?

Basic conversion is handled locally. However, advanced features like AI-enhanced image descriptions via OpenRouter or Azure Document Intelligence require valid API keys and an internet connection.

Can I use MarkItDown for scientific diagrams?

Absolutely. This skill specifically supports scientific workflows by allowing you to generate AI-powered, publication-quality schematics and diagrams to accompany your converted text.

Which file formats can MarkItDown convert?

MarkItDown supports a wide variety of formats including PDF, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, images (JPG, PNG), audio (WAV, MP3), HTML, CSV, JSON, XML, ZIP, EPub, and even YouTube video URLs.

Does MarkItDown support OCR for scanned documents?

Yes, MarkItDown includes OCR capabilities for images and scanned documents and can integrate with Azure Document Intelligence for more complex PDF conversion needs.

How does this skill improve Claude's performance?

By converting bulky office files into clean, structured Markdown, it reduces token usage and provides Claude with a clearer hierarchical context, leading to more accurate analysis and summaries.

MarkItDown

Name: MarkItDown
Author: K-Dense-AI

byK-Dense-AI

•

235

Content Management

Converts documents, spreadsheets, and media files into structured, token-efficient Markdown for seamless LLM processing and documentation.

About

MarkItDown is a comprehensive file conversion utility that bridges the gap between unstructured office formats and LLM-friendly Markdown. Developed to optimize data ingestion for AI, it supports over 15 formats including PDFs, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. Beyond standard text extraction, MarkItDown features built-in OCR for images, speech-to-text for audio, and integration with AI models for detailed visual descriptions. It is particularly valuable for researchers and developers building RAG pipelines or technical documentation, especially when combined with its ability to generate publication-quality scientific schematics.

Key Features

Automated scientific schematic generation for publication-quality visual communication.
Supports 15+ formats including PDF, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, and YouTube URLs.
235 GitHub stars
Generates token-efficient Markdown optimized for high-performance LLM processing.
Built-in OCR for image text extraction and speech-to-text for audio transcription.
AI-enhanced image descriptions for technical diagrams and presentation slides.

Use Cases

Extracting structured data from complex Excel spreadsheets into clean Markdown tables.
Preprocessing diverse documentation sets for high-accuracy Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
Converting scientific literature and research papers for AI-assisted technical reviews.

About

Key Features

Automated scientific schematic generation for publication-quality visual communication.
Supports 15+ formats including PDF, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, and YouTube URLs.
235 GitHub stars
Generates token-efficient Markdown optimized for high-performance LLM processing.
Built-in OCR for image text extraction and speech-to-text for audio transcription.
AI-enhanced image descriptions for technical diagrams and presentation slides.

Use Cases

Extracting structured data from complex Excel spreadsheets into clean Markdown tables.
Preprocessing diverse documentation sets for high-accuracy Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
Converting scientific literature and research papers for AI-assisted technical reviews.