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Pandoc

pandoc.org

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Spec score 7.8 #31 of 69 in File Conversion Software

What it is

Pandoc is a command-line document converter and Haskell library, offered for free under the GPL. It converts among markup and word-processing formats including Markdown, HTML, LaTeX, Word DOCX, EPUB, and Jupyter notebooks. Readers parse a source into an abstract syntax tree, which writers then turn into the selected output format. Templates and Lua filters let users adjust processing, and Lua can also be used to create custom readers and writers. Pandoc formats citations and can produce bibliographies with hundreds of CSL styles. PDF output uses LaTeX by default, though users can specify another PDF engine. Installers or binaries are provided for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with package-manager and source installation also documented. It can be run through GitHub Actions or GitLab CI/CD, and official Docker images are available. The official Linux executable is statically linked without dynamic dependencies or external data-file dependencies. Pandoc has no graphical interface; conversions from more expressive formats can lose information, and complex tables may not fit its document model.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Pandoc is a command-line tool and Haskell library for converting documents between markup and word-processing formats.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Security
The official Linux executable is statically linked and has no dynamic dependencies or dependencies on external data files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Founded
2006Read 28 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Citations
Pandoc can format citations and generate bibliographies using hundreds of CSL styles.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Conversion fidelity
Conversions from formats more expressive than Pandoc’s Markdown may be lossy, and complex tables may not fit its document model.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Custom processing
Users can customize output with templates and write filters or custom readers and writers in Lua.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Document structure
Pandoc uses readers to parse documents into an abstract syntax tree and writers to convert that representation to a target format.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Format support
Supported formats include Markdown, HTML, LaTeX, Word DOCX, EPUB, Jupyter notebooks, and many others.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Installation options
The maker provides installers or binaries for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and documents package-manager and source installation options.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Limitation
The maker-provided statically linked binaries cannot use Lua filters that rely on Lua modules written in C.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
PDF output
Pandoc creates PDFs using LaTeX by default and supports specifying other PDF engines.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Support and onboarding
The site provides a getting-started guide for people unfamiliar with command-line tools and a User’s Guide for detailed use.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
User interface
Pandoc is a command-line tool and has no graphical user interface.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org
Workflow integrations
Pandoc can run through GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD, and official Docker images are available.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org

Plans and prices

Pandoc Free Free software released under the GPL Read 30 Sep 2026 · pandoc.org

Every Pandoc plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Markdown, HTML, LaTeX, DOCX, EPUB, and notebooks.
  • Lua filters and templates customize output.
  • Can create bibliographies using hundreds of CSL styles.
  • Install options include binaries, package managers, and source.
  • Official Docker images and CI workflow integrations are available.

Limits

  • Has no graphical user interface.
  • Some conversions can lose information.
  • Complex tables may not fit its document model.
  • Static Linux binaries cannot use Lua filters relying on C modules.

Who it suits

Pandoc suits people comfortable with command-line tools who need to convert documents or integrate conversion into a workflow. Its guide provides an onboarding path for users new to the command line.

Verdict

Pandoc offers broad format conversion with customization and citation tools, but it is operated from the command line. Consider possible information loss when converting richer formats and its limits with complex tables.

Where Specifiction places it

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