Convert MD to ORG

Why Convert MD to ORG?

Converting Markdown documents to Org-mode format is essential for users who want to leverage Emacs Org-mode's powerful productivity and organizational features. When you convert MD to ORG, you're transforming simple documentation into a complete life organization system with TODO management, scheduling, time tracking, tags, properties, and executable code blocks for literate programming.

Org-mode is far more than a markup language—it's a complete productivity system built into Emacs. While Markdown is excellent for simple documentation and web content, Org-mode provides tools for project management, personal knowledge management (PKM), GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology, research notes, academic writing, and software development through literate programming. Org-mode users can manage their entire life in plain text: tasks, projects, notes, journal, agenda, and code.

Our converter uses Pandoc to translate Markdown syntax into Org-mode format: # becomes * (stars for headers), ** becomes *bold*, * becomes /italic/, [links](url) become [[url][links]], and code blocks become #+BEGIN_SRC blocks. The conversion maintains document structure while unlocking Org-mode's advanced features. After conversion, you can add TODO keywords, timestamps, tags, priorities, and properties to transform static documents into actionable organizational systems.

Many developers and knowledge workers start with Markdown for its simplicity, then migrate to Org-mode when they need more powerful organizational tools. Common migration scenarios include: converting README files to Org for project planning, transforming documentation to research notes with TODO items, converting blog drafts to Org for better workflow management, and migrating note-taking systems (Obsidian, Notion) to Emacs Org-mode for complete control and privacy.

Key Benefits of Converting MD to ORG:

• TODO Management: Transform task lists into powerful TODO items with custom states and workflows
• Scheduling: Add timestamps, deadlines, and scheduled dates for time management
• Tags and Properties: Organize content with tags (:work:urgent:) and custom properties
• Agenda Views: See all your TODOs and scheduled items in unified agenda
• Time Tracking: Clock in/out of tasks to track time spent
• Literate Programming: Execute code blocks in place (Python, R, shell, etc.)
• Export Options: Export to HTML, LaTeX, PDF, ODT, Markdown, and more
• Plain Text: Keep data in version-controllable plain text format

Practical Examples

Example 1: Simple Document Conversion

Input Markdown file (notes.md):

# Project Notes

## Tasks
- [ ] Research topic
- [ ] Write outline
- [x] Gather references

## Ideas

**Important:** Remember to check the deadline.

Links: [Documentation](https://example.com)

Output Org-mode file (notes.org):

* Project Notes

** Tasks
- [ ] Research topic
- [ ] Write outline
- [X] Gather references

** Ideas

*Important:* Remember to check the deadline.

Links: [[https://example.com][Documentation]]

Example 2: Converting to TODO System

Input Markdown file (project.md):

# Website Redesign

## Planning Phase
- [ ] Define requirements
- [ ] Create mockups
- [ ] Review with team

## Development
- [ ] Set up repository
- [ ] Implement frontend

Output Org-mode file (project.org) - enhanced with TODO:

* TODO Website Redesign
  DEADLINE: <2024-12-31 Thu>
  :PROPERTIES:
  :CATEGORY: work
  :END:

** TODO Planning Phase [#A]
   SCHEDULED: <2024-01-20 Mon>
*** TODO Define requirements
*** TODO Create mockups
*** TODO Review with team

** TODO Development [#B]
*** TODO Set up repository
*** TODO Implement frontend

Example 3: Code Documentation to Literate Programming

Input Markdown file (script.md):

# Data Analysis

## Load Data

```python
import pandas as pd
df = pd.read_csv('data.csv')
```

## Process Data

Calculate the mean of column A.

Output Org-mode file (script.org) - executable:

* Data Analysis

** Load Data

#+BEGIN_SRC python :results output
import pandas as pd
df = pd.read_csv('data.csv')
#+END_SRC

** Process Data

Calculate the mean of column A.

#+BEGIN_SRC python :results value
df['A'].mean()
#+END_SRC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Org-mode?

A: Org-mode is an Emacs mode for note-taking, project planning, TODO lists, authoring, and literate programming. It uses plain-text .org files with powerful features: hierarchical outlines, TODO states, timestamps, tags, tables, code execution, and export to multiple formats. Think of it as a complete life organization system in plain text.

Q: Do I need Emacs to use Org files?

A: Org-mode works best in Emacs with full features. However, you can use VS Code with org-mode extension, or Logseq (which uses Org-mode syntax). Org files are plain text, so any text editor can read them, but you'll miss interactive features like agenda views, code execution, and advanced TODO management without Emacs.

Q: How does the converter handle task lists?

A: Markdown task lists (- [ ] item) convert to Org-mode checkboxes (- [ ] item). After conversion, you can enhance them by adding TODO keywords (* TODO item), timestamps (SCHEDULED: <2024-01-15>), priorities ([#A]), and tags (:urgent:). This transforms static checkboxes into actionable tasks with full scheduling and tracking.

Q: What are the main advantages of Org-mode over Markdown?

A: Org-mode provides: TODO management with custom states, scheduling and deadlines, agenda views, time tracking (clocking), tags and properties, executable code blocks (literate programming), table formulas, export to 10+ formats, and plain-text archiving. Markdown is simpler for basic documentation, but Org-mode is a complete productivity and knowledge management system.

Q: Can I execute code in Org-mode files?

A: Yes! This is called literate programming. Org-mode supports 40+ languages including Python, R, shell, JavaScript, SQL, and more. You can execute code blocks with C-c C-c in Emacs, see results inline, pass data between blocks, and create reproducible research documents. This makes Org-mode powerful for data science and software development.

Q: How do I add timestamps and scheduling after conversion?

A: In Emacs Org-mode, use C-c C-s (schedule), C-c C-d (deadline), or C-c . (timestamp). Format: <2024-01-15 Mon>. You can add repeaters (<2024-01-15 +1w> for weekly), time ranges (<2024-01-15 09:00-10:00>), and inactive timestamps [2024-01-15]. Scheduled items appear in your agenda view.

Q: What is the Org-mode agenda?

A: The agenda is a unified view of all your TODOs, scheduled items, and deadlines across all Org files. Access it with C-c a in Emacs. It shows: today's scheduled tasks, upcoming deadlines, all TODO items, and custom views. Think of it as a personal dashboard for managing your life, work, and projects in one place.

Q: Is Org-mode suitable for knowledge management?

A: Absolutely! Org-mode excels at personal knowledge management (PKM). Use: org-roam for Zettelkasten-style note-taking with backlinks, tags for categorization, properties for metadata, links between files ([[file:other.org]]), org-brain for concept mapping, and full-text search. Many users manage thousands of notes in Org-mode for research, writing, and learning.