Convert HTML to RST

Why Convert HTML to RST?

Converting HTML to RST is useful when you need to transform web content into reStructuredText format for technical documentation. RST (reStructuredText) is a lightweight markup language that's become the standard for Python documentation and is widely used with Sphinx, the most popular documentation generator in the Python ecosystem. When you convert HTML to RST, you're transforming web markup into a clean, plain-text format that's perfect for version control, collaborative editing, and building professional documentation.

reStructuredText was created in 2001 by David Goodger as part of the Docutils project. It's designed to be readable and easy to write in plain text, while being powerful enough to generate rich documentation in multiple output formats (HTML, PDF, LaTeX, man pages). RST uses simple markup like underlines for headings (=====), asterisks for emphasis (**bold**, *italic*), backticks for code (`code`), and double colons for code blocks (::). The format is more structured and powerful than Markdown, with support for directives, roles, and cross-references.

Our HTML to RST converter extracts content from HTML documents and transforms it into proper reStructuredText markup. The converter removes all HTML tags, JavaScript, CSS, and web-specific elements, producing clean RST text that can be used with Sphinx, Docutils, or any RST processor. This is useful for migrating web documentation to RST format, extracting content from web pages for documentation projects, or converting HTML-based help files to RST for Sphinx documentation.

RST is the foundation of Python's documentation ecosystem. Official Python documentation (docs.python.org) is written in RST and built with Sphinx. Major Python projects like Django, Flask, NumPy, and pandas all use RST for documentation. ReadTheDocs, the popular documentation hosting platform, builds RST documentation automatically. Sphinx extends RST with powerful features like automatic API documentation from docstrings, cross-references, code highlighting, and multiple output formats. While Markdown is more popular for general writing, RST remains the standard for serious technical documentation, especially in the Python community.

Key Benefits of Converting HTML to RST:

• Sphinx Compatible: Build professional documentation with Sphinx
• Python Standard: Official format for Python project documentation
• Version Control: Plain text, perfect for Git/SVN
• Multiple Outputs: Convert to HTML, PDF, LaTeX, ePub
• Powerful Features: Directives, roles, cross-references
• ReadTheDocs: Direct integration with documentation hosting
• Human Readable: Plain text, easy to read and edit

Practical Examples

Example 1: Simple Documentation

Input HTML file (docs.html):

<h1>Installation Guide</h1>
<p>To install the package, run:</p>
<code>pip install mypackage</code>

Output RST file (docs.rst):

Installation Guide

To install the package, run:
pip install mypackage

Example 2: API Documentation

Input HTML file (api.html):

<h2>API Reference</h2>
<p>Function: <strong>process_data</strong></p>
<p>Description: Processes input data</p>

Output RST file (api.rst):

API Reference

Function: **process_data**
Description: Processes input data

Example 3: Tutorial Content

Input HTML file (tutorial.html):

<h1>Getting Started</h1>
<ul>
  <li>Install the package</li>
  <li>Import the module</li>
  <li>Run your first script</li>
</ul>

Output RST file (tutorial.rst):

Getting Started

* Install the package
* Import the module
* Run your first script

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is reStructuredText (RST)?

A: reStructuredText (RST) is a lightweight markup language for technical documentation. It uses plain text with simple markup (underlines for headings, asterisks for emphasis). RST is the default format for Python documentation and Sphinx documentation generator.

Q: How do RST headings work?

A: RST headings use underlines (and optionally overlines). Characters: = - ` : . ' " ~ ^ _ * + # < >. Example: Title underlined with ===== is H1, ----- is H2. The underline must be at least as long as the title text.

Q: What's the difference between RST and Markdown?

A: RST is more powerful and structured, better for technical documentation. Markdown is simpler and more widespread. RST has directives, roles, extensibility, and better cross-referencing. Markdown is easier to learn. RST is standard for Python/Sphinx, Markdown for GitHub/general writing.

Q: How do I convert RST to HTML?

A: Use Docutils: `rst2html input.rst output.html` or Sphinx for full documentation sites: `sphinx-build -b html source build`. Sphinx adds themes, extensions, and advanced features. Both are Python tools installed via pip.

Q: What is Sphinx?

A: Sphinx is a documentation generator that uses RST as input and produces HTML, PDF, ePub, and other formats. It's the standard for Python project documentation. Features: automatic API docs, cross-references, themes, extensions, and ReadTheDocs integration. Install: `pip install sphinx`.

Q: How do I create code blocks in RST?

A: Use double colon (::) followed by indented code. Example: `Here is code::` (newline) ` code here` (indented). For syntax highlighting in Sphinx: `.. code-block:: python` (newline) ` def hello(): pass` (indented).

Q: Can I validate RST files?

A: Yes! Use rst-lint (`pip install restructuredtext-lint`), rstcheck (`pip install rstcheck`), or Sphinx build warnings. These tools check syntax, links, and directives. Most editors (VS Code, PyCharm) have RST extensions with live validation.

Q: Where can I learn more about RST?

A: Official resources: Docutils RST Primer (docutils.sourceforge.io/rst.html), Sphinx documentation (sphinx-doc.org), reStructuredText Markup Specification. For Sphinx-specific features, see Sphinx's RST directives and roles documentation. Practice with online RST editors and converters.