Can I switch from Pandoc to MDDoc easily?

Yes. If you have existing markdown files, they work in MDDoc with no changes. Standard markdown is standard markdown. The difference is in the conversion output and workflow, not the input format.

Is MDDoc as customizable as Pandoc?

For markdown-to-Word specifically, MDDoc offers more accessible customization — you upload a Word template and visually map styles. Pandoc is more flexible in the abstract (Lua filters can do almost anything), but that flexibility requires programming knowledge.

Does MDDoc use Pandoc under the hood?

No. MDDoc uses its own conversion engine built specifically for high-fidelity markdown to Word output. This lets us optimize for Word-specific features like style mapping, template support, and document classification.

Which produces better-looking Word documents?

MDDoc, in most cases. Pandoc's default Word output is functional but plain. MDDoc's output is designed to look polished out of the box, with proper spacing, styled code blocks, and clean table formatting. With custom templates, MDDoc output matches your brand exactly.

Can I use both MDDoc and Pandoc?

Absolutely. Some teams use Pandoc in CI/CD for bulk format conversion and MDDoc for client-facing documents that need to look polished. The tools complement each other.

MDDoc vs Pandoc

Pandoc is a powerhouse if you're comfortable with command-line tools and need multi-format conversion. MDDoc is the better choice when your team needs a visual workflow, custom branded templates, and zero setup.

Feature comparison

Feature	MDDoc	Pandoc
Setup required	None — open browser	Install CLI + dependencies
Live preview
Custom Word templates	Upload and map visually	Reference file (manual setup)
AI document classification
Heading styles
Tables
Code blocks	Styled with background	Basic formatting
Images
Batch conversion	API or dashboard	Shell scripting
SharePoint export
REST API	48 endpoints
MCP server (AI integration)
Multi-format support	Markdown to Word	Dozens of formats
Price	Free tier + paid plans	Free and open-source
Offline usage

Strengths

MDDoc strengths

Zero setup — paste markdown and convert in your browser
Visual template editor — no reference file hacking required
AI auto-classifies documents and picks the right template
REST API with 48 endpoints for automation
SharePoint integration for enterprise workflows
Live preview shows exactly what your Word doc will look like
Team-friendly — anyone can use it without training

Pandoc strengths

Free and open-source with no usage limits
Converts between dozens of formats, not just markdown to Word
Works offline with no internet connection
Deeply customizable via Lua filters and templates
Huge community with decades of development
Scriptable for complex CI/CD pipelines

When to use what

Use MDDoc when...

Your team includes non-technical people who need to convert documents
You want branded Word output with your company's fonts, colors, and logo
You need a visual preview before generating the final document
You're building automation with an API rather than shell scripts
You want AI to automatically classify and template documents
You need to push documents directly to SharePoint

Use Pandoc when...

You need to convert between many formats — not just markdown to Word
You're comfortable with the command line and prefer a local tool
You need offline conversion with no internet dependency
You want deep customization through Lua filters
You're on a tight budget and need unlimited free conversions
You're already using Pandoc in your CI/CD pipeline

Frequently asked questions

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