# Turn Markdown into a PDF or a Word document, right from Finder

> Export a Markdown file to PDF, Word (.docx), RTF or HTML from Finder: diagrams, tables, math, footnotes and pictures included, with no Pandoc and no upload.

Press Space on a Markdown file, then Export: Gander saves it as a PDF, a Word document, RTF or a single HTML file, laid out like the preview. No Pandoc, no LaTeX, no website to upload to, and export is free.

![The Export button in a Markdown Quick Look preview offering PDF, Word, RTF or HTML, beside the same README exported as a Word document and as a PDF with its Mermaid diagram, table and checklist.](https://ganderfinder.com/img/screens/en/04-export.jpg)

## How to do it

1. Select the Markdown file in Finder and press Space.
2. Click **Export**, next to the copy button.
3. Choose the format (PDF, Word, RTF or HTML), the paper size (A4 or US Letter) and page numbers.
4. Choose where to save. The file is written on your Mac.

## What each format gives you

Every format keeps the diagrams, tables, math and footnotes.

- **PDF**: vector diagrams that stay sharp when zoomed, bookmarks from your headings, working links and page numbers
- **Word (.docx)**: real headings, lists, tables and footnotes, so Word’s navigation pane and table of contents work
- **RTF**: formatted text, tables and pictures for TextEdit, Pages or Word
- **HTML**: one self-contained file with the diagrams and pictures inside, safe to share

## From the Gander window or Shortcuts

Control-click a Markdown file and choose **Open With › Gander** to read the whole document in a window that reloads as you edit, then choose **File › Export** (⌘E for PDF). Shortcuts has an **Export Markdown** action, so a shortcut used as a Finder Quick Action can export several files at once.

## Offline and private

Export runs entirely on your Mac. Pictures stored next to the document are included (Gander asks once for access to their folder); images on the web are never downloaded, so exporting a document never contacts a server.

## Questions

### Do I need Pandoc or LaTeX?

No. Gander writes PDF, Word, RTF and HTML itself, with Apple’s frameworks. Nothing else needs to be installed.

### Are Mermaid diagrams and math kept?

Yes. Diagrams become vector drawings in PDF and HTML and pictures in Word and RTF, and math and footnotes come along in every format.

### Does export cost extra?

No. Export is free, like the rest of Gander. There’s no in-app purchase and no subscription.

### Can I export many files at once?

Yes, with the Export Markdown action in Shortcuts: a shortcut that receives files from Finder can export each of them.

## More guides

- [Preview Markdown in Finder, rendered the way GitHub shows it](https://ganderfinder.com/markdown-quick-look)
- [View Mermaid diagrams on your Mac without a browser](https://ganderfinder.com/mermaid-viewer)
- [Convert CSV to Excel on your Mac, straight from Finder](https://ganderfinder.com/csv-to-excel)
- [Read Jupyter notebooks on your Mac without starting Jupyter](https://ganderfinder.com/jupyter-notebook-viewer)
- [A fast JSON viewer in Finder, for JSONC and JSON Lines too](https://ganderfinder.com/json-viewer)
- [Look inside an SQLite database from Finder](https://ganderfinder.com/sqlite-viewer)
- [Read any SQL query neatly laid out, without changing the file](https://ganderfinder.com/sql-formatter)
- [Open log files at the newest line, with errors in red](https://ganderfinder.com/log-viewer)
- [Check a .env file without putting secrets on screen](https://ganderfinder.com/env-file-viewer)

Gander is free on the Mac App Store, with no in-app purchases, no subscription and no account, and nothing you preview leaves your Mac. https://apps.apple.com/app/id6817038818

---

- HTML version: https://ganderfinder.com/markdown-to-pdf-word
- Español: https://ganderfinder.com/es/markdown-to-pdf-word.md
- Deutsch: https://ganderfinder.com/de/markdown-to-pdf-word.md
- Français: https://ganderfinder.com/fr/markdown-to-pdf-word.md
- 日本語: https://ganderfinder.com/ja/markdown-to-pdf-word.md
- 简体中文: https://ganderfinder.com/zh/markdown-to-pdf-word.md
- Português (Brasil): https://ganderfinder.com/pt/markdown-to-pdf-word.md
- Support: https://ganderfinder.com/support
- Privacy policy: https://ganderfinder.com/privacy
- llms.txt: https://ganderfinder.com/llms.txt
- © 2026 65FN LLC