How to Convert Craft Docs to Markdown and Export to PDF

Craft Docs has taken the productivity world by storm with its elegant user interface, block-based writing experience, and native iOS and macOS performance. While Craft has a built-in PDF generator, many users prefer exporting pages to Markdown first to customize their layout, manage fonts, and ensure formatting consistency.

In this guide, we show you how to convert Craft Docs to Markdown PDF, format the blocks, and render clean, professional documents.

Step 1: Exporting Craft Docs to Markdown

Craft provides a fast exporter that packages your document as clean Markdown text along with any attached assets:

1. Open the page you want to export in Craft.
2. Click the share/export icon in the top-right corner of the window.
3. Select Export from the list of options.
4. Click on Markdown.
5. Set your export configurations:
   • Include subpages: Toggle this on if you want subpages compiled.
   • Format options: Keep standard Markdown syntax.
6. Click Export and save the resulting folder to your device.

Craft will export a .md file, and any embedded images will be neatly organized in a folder right next to it.

Step 2: Handling Craft-Specific Formatting

Craft uses a block-based structure that introduces some formatting details when translated into plain Markdown text:

1. Toggle Lists

Craft allows you to create collapsible toggle lists. When exported to Markdown, these are rendered as standard bullet lists. Check your document to make sure your toggle headings flow naturally as paragraphs or bullet lists.

2. Cards and Pages

If you use Craft’s “Card” layout to link to subpages, these will export as standard Markdown links linking to separate .md files. You will need to copy the contents of these subpages into the main document if you want them rendered in a single PDF.

3. Block Styling (Focus, Blockquote)

Craft’s colorful focus blocks are exported as standard Markdown blockquotes (> text). You will need a Markdown rendering engine that styles blockquotes beautifully to preserve the emphasis.

Step 3: Exporting Your Craft Markdown to PDF

While Craft’s native PDF export is beautiful, it doesn’t allow for deep document customization. For full design control, copy the Markdown text from your exported Craft document and paste it into MarkdownToFile.com.

1. Copy the text of your Craft Markdown file.
2. Go to MarkdownToFile.com and paste the text into the browser-based editor.
3. Choose a dedicated layout theme (like Clean, Academic, or GitHub).
4. Review the layout using the real-time paginated visual window to make sure heading page breaks align correctly.
5. Click Download PDF to export your polished document.

Craft Native PDF vs. MarkdownToFile Exporter

Feature	Craft Native PDF	MarkdownToFile.com
Theme Selection	Tied to Craft templates	4 dedicated document styles
Custom Headers/Footers	Limited to page numbers	Full margin control & headers
Cross-Platform	Requires Craft App	Works on any browser (no install)
Privacy	Processed in-app / cloud	100% client-side (no data uploads)
Page-Break Adjustments	Hard to control	Custom page break markers

Using a browser editor allows you to quickly adjust your layout, add custom CSS details, and verify margins before exporting, ensuring your final PDF looks professional and is ready to share.

Ready to format your Craft documents? Open the editor and convert your Markdown files to professional PDFs instantly.