Google Docs to Markdown
You don't need an add-on or an Apps Script to get a Google Doc into Markdown. Copy the document, paste it into RichMarkdown, and download a clean .md file.
Step by step
- In Google Docs, press
Ctrl + A(⌘ + Aon Mac) to select everything, thenCtrl + Cto copy. - Open the RichMarkdown editor, click New, click into the page and press
Ctrl + V. - Check the Export checklist on the right: every format you used should show a green tick.
- Click View Markdown to read the result, then Copy or Export .md.
What carries over from Google Docs
| Google Docs | Markdown |
|---|---|
| Title, Heading 1–3 | #, ##, ### |
| Bold / italic / strikethrough | **bold** / *italic* / ~~text~~ |
| Bulleted and numbered lists | - and 1. (nesting kept) |
| Links | [text](url) — Google's redirect wrapper is removed |
| Tables | GFM pipe tables |
| Text in a monospace font (e.g. Courier New, Roboto Mono) | `inline code` |
| Fonts, colours, highlights, comments, suggestions | Removed — Markdown has no equivalent |
Images
Images copied out of Google Docs point at temporary googleusercontent.com addresses that expire after a while. If your Markdown will be published, download the images and replace those URLs with permanent ones (for example, files in your repository).
Why not use "Download as Markdown"?
Google Docs has a built-in File → Download → Markdown (.md) option. It works, but it's all-or-nothing: you can't see or fix the output before it's saved, and you can't edit, merge several docs or add sources on the way. RichMarkdown lets you paste, tidy up, check every format and then export.
FAQ
Does this need access to my Google account?
No. You copy and paste; RichMarkdown never connects to Google and nothing is uploaded.
Will heading levels be correct?
Yes, as long as the doc uses real heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2…). Text that is only made larger or bold stays a normal paragraph, because that is what it is in the document.
Can I convert several docs into one Markdown file?
Yes. Paste them one after another into the same document, then export once.