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Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Raycast extension for converting rich text from clipboard to Markdown, with special handling for Microsoft Word content

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Markdown Clipboard Converter

A multi-platform clipboard converter that transforms rich text into polished Markdown. Available as a Chrome/Edge/Firefox browser extension, with Raycast integration in development.

Primary Platform: Browser Extension – Paste formatted content from Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or the web, preview the converted Markdown instantly, and copy it back to your clipboard in a single click.

Install

Raycast extension

There is already a well-featured Raycast Markdown converted, Paste to Markdown, from @wei. While we figure out how to collaborate, I probably won't proceed with publishing my Raycast integration. However, you can install it locally as a Raycast developer using npm run dev:raycast.

Features

  • One-click conversion – Read HTML from the clipboard and convert it to Markdown using Turndown.
  • Context menu integration – Right-click on selected text anywhere on the web and choose "Copy as Markdown" to convert and copy formatted content instantly.
  • Smart fallback – Gracefully handles plain text when no rich content is available.
  • Automatic copy-back – Immediately writes the generated Markdown to your clipboard after each conversion.
  • Live paste listener – Supports keyboard pastes (Cmd/Ctrl + V) directly inside the popup.
  • Word-aware headings – Promotes Microsoft Word clipboard headings so Markdown keeps its structure.
  • Google Docs normalization – Cleans up Docs-specific spans and non-breaking spaces so the output stays readable.
  • Monospace heuristics – Detects Courier-style Word paragraphs and emits fenced code blocks.
  • Bold span detection – Upgrades inline font-weight: bold spans into Markdown **strong** text.
  • Image support – Includes conversion of inline images (beware large images will result in massive Markdown!)

Screenshot

Screenshot of Markdown Clipboard Converter

Usage

Method 1: Extension Popup

  1. Click the extension icon to open the popup.
  2. Press Paste & Convert or press Cmd/Ctrl + V with formatted content on your clipboard.
  3. The Markdown appears in the output area and is automatically copied back to your clipboard so you can paste it wherever it's needed.

Method 2: Context Menu (New!)

  1. Select any formatted text on a webpage, document, or local HTML file.
  2. Right-click on the selection and choose "Copy as Markdown" from the context menu.
  3. The converted Markdown is automatically copied to your clipboard – no popup needed!
  4. A green checkmark (✓) badge appears on the extension icon to confirm successful conversion.

Clipboard permissions: Chrome will prompt for clipboard permissions when first reading or writing. Accept the prompt so the extension can function correctly.

Raycast Extension (pending review by Raycast)

A native Raycast command for clipboard conversion, on macOS only:

  1. Copy formatted content from any application (Word, Google Docs, web pages, etc.)
  2. Open Raycast and run "Convert Clipboard to Markdown"
  3. Converted Markdown is automatically copied back to your clipboard

Raycast usage of Markdown Clipboard Converter

For org users

If, like the author, you also use org-mode files a lot, please consult the md2org.sh script. Throw this in your Raycast's script directory and it gives you an easy way to convert the copied Markdown into org syntax, assuming you have pandoc installed.

For Developers

See DEVELOPERS.md for:

  • Architecture overview and platform design
  • Build instructions for Chrome, Firefox, and Raycast
  • Development workflow and testing
  • Code quality standards

Credits

  • @nahals for original inspiration, Windows usage, and more
  • This extension builds on the amazing Turndown library

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Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Raycast extension for converting rich text from clipboard to Markdown, with special handling for Microsoft Word content

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