Convert ORG to EPUB

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ORG vs EPUB Format Comparison

Aspect	ORG (Source Format)	EPUB (Target Format)
Format Overview	ORG Emacs Org-mode Plain text markup format created for Emacs in 2003. Designed for note-taking, task management, project planning, and literate programming. Features hierarchical structure with collapsible sections, TODO states, scheduling, and code execution. Emacs Native Literate Programming	EPUB Electronic Publication Open e-book standard developed by the IDPF in 2007. The most widely supported e-book format, readable on virtually all e-readers except Kindle (which requires conversion). Based on XHTML/HTML content packaged in a ZIP container. E-book Standard Universal Reader Support
Technical Specifications	Structure: Hierarchical outline with * headers Encoding: UTF-8 Format: Plain text with markup Processor: Emacs Org-mode, Pandoc Extensions: .org	Structure: ZIP container with XHTML/HTML content Encoding: UTF-8 (required) Format: XHTML + CSS + metadata XML Processor: Calibre, Pandoc, Sigil Extensions: .epub
Syntax Examples	Org-mode syntax: #+TITLE: My Book Title #+AUTHOR: John Doe * Chapter One This is bold and /italic/. ** Section 1.1 Content with [[https://example.com][links]]. - List item 1 - List item 2	EPUB internal structure: my-book.epub (ZIP archive) ├── mimetype ├── META-INF/ │ └── container.xml ├── OEBPS/ │ ├── content.opf │ ├── toc.ncx │ ├── chapter1.xhtml │ ├── chapter2.xhtml │ └── styles.css └── images/
Content Support	Hierarchical headers with * levels TODO states and task management Scheduling and deadlines Tags and properties Tables with spreadsheet formulas Literate programming (Babel) Code blocks with execution Links and cross-references LaTeX math support	Chapters and sections with navigation Rich text formatting (bold, italic, etc.) Embedded images and graphics Hyperlinks (internal and external) Tables of contents (NCX/Nav) CSS styling for typography Metadata (author, title, ISBN) Cover images Font embedding
Advantages	Powerful task management Literate programming support Code execution (40+ languages) Spreadsheet-like tables Agenda and scheduling Deep Emacs integration Extensive customization	Universal e-reader compatibility Reflowable text for any screen Adjustable fonts and sizes Built-in navigation and TOC Bookmarking and annotations Small file sizes DRM support (optional) Accessibility features
Disadvantages	Requires Emacs for full features Steep learning curve Limited outside Emacs ecosystem Complex syntax for advanced features Less portable than other formats	No native Kindle support (needs conversion) Complex internal structure Limited layout control (reflowable) DRM can restrict usage Variable renderer implementations
Common Uses	Personal knowledge management Task and project management Literate programming Research notes Journaling and logging Agenda and scheduling	E-books and digital publishing Novels and fiction Technical manuals Educational materials Magazines and periodicals Self-publishing
Best For	Emacs users Task management Literate programming Personal notes	E-book distribution Mobile reading Self-publishing authors Educational content
Version History	Introduced: 2003 (Carsten Dominik) Current Version: 9.6+ (2024) Status: Active development Primary Tool: GNU Emacs	Introduced: 2007 (IDPF) Current Version: EPUB 3.3 (2023) Status: W3C standard (since 2017) Governance: W3C Publishing Working Group
Software Support	Emacs: Native support (Org-mode) Vim/Neovim: org.nvim, vim-orgmode VS Code: Org Mode extension Other: Logseq, Obsidian (plugins)	E-readers: Kobo, Nook, Apple Books, Google Play Apps: Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions Editors: Sigil, Calibre, Vellum Converters: Pandoc, Calibre

Why Convert ORG to EPUB?

Converting Org-mode documents to EPUB format transforms your notes, documentation, or book drafts into professional e-books that can be read on virtually any e-reader, tablet, or smartphone. This is ideal for authors who write in Org-mode but want to distribute their work as portable e-books.

EPUB is the universal e-book standard supported by Apple Books, Kobo, Nook, Google Play Books, and countless reading apps. By converting your Org-mode content to EPUB, you can share your writing with readers who prefer the e-book experience with adjustable fonts, bookmarking, and offline reading.

The conversion is particularly valuable for self-publishing authors. If you've written a book, manual, or guide in Org-mode, converting to EPUB allows you to upload directly to platforms like Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, or Google Play Books. You can also convert EPUB to MOBI/AZW3 for Amazon Kindle distribution.

For educational content, EPUB provides an excellent reading experience on tablets and phones. Students can access your materials offline, highlight passages, and take notes. The reflowable nature of EPUB ensures your content looks great on any screen size.

Key Benefits of Converting ORG to EPUB:

Universal Compatibility: Read on any e-reader, tablet, or phone
Professional Publishing: Distribute on major e-book platforms
Reflowable Content: Text adapts to any screen size
Reader Features: Bookmarks, highlights, notes, and search
Offline Reading: No internet connection required
Adjustable Typography: Readers control font size and style
Table of Contents: Built-in navigation from your headings

Practical Examples

Example 1: Book Structure

Input ORG file (my-book.org):

#+TITLE: The Complete Guide to Productivity
#+AUTHOR: Jane Smith
#+LANGUAGE: en

* Introduction

Welcome to *The Complete Guide to Productivity*.
This book will transform how you work.

* Chapter 1: Getting Started

** The Productivity Mindset

Success begins with the right mindset...

** Setting Your Goals

Define clear, measurable objectives:
- Short-term goals (weekly)
- Medium-term goals (monthly)
- Long-term goals (yearly)

Output EPUB structure:

my-book.epub
├── Table of Contents
│   ├── Introduction
│   └── Chapter 1: Getting Started
│       ├── The Productivity Mindset
│       └── Setting Your Goals
├── Metadata
│   ├── Title: The Complete Guide to Productivity
│   ├── Author: Jane Smith
│   └── Language: English
└── Content (formatted XHTML chapters)

Example 2: Technical Documentation

Input ORG file (manual.org):

#+TITLE: Software User Manual
#+AUTHOR: TechCorp Documentation Team

* Quick Start Guide

** Installation

Download and install:

#+BEGIN_SRC bash
curl -O https://example.com/install.sh
chmod +x install.sh
./install.sh
#+END_SRC

** First Steps

After installation, launch the application...

Output EPUB features:

- Navigable table of contents
- Code blocks with monospace formatting
- Clickable links preserved
- Professional typography
- Works on any e-reader or tablet

Example 3: Course Material

Input ORG file (course.org):

#+TITLE: Introduction to Python Programming
#+AUTHOR: Prof. John Doe

* Module 1: Python Basics

** Variables and Data Types

Python supports several data types:

| Type    | Example      | Description        |
|---------+--------------+--------------------|
| int     | 42           | Integer numbers    |
| float   | 3.14         | Decimal numbers    |
| str     | "Hello"      | Text strings       |
| bool    | True/False   | Boolean values     |

** Exercises

1. Create a variable with your name
2. Calculate the area of a circle
3. Print a greeting message

Output EPUB benefits:

- Students can read offline on tablets
- Tables formatted for e-reader display
- Exercises easily accessible
- Progress tracking with bookmarks
- Highlight and note-taking support

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I read the EPUB on my Kindle?

A: Amazon Kindle doesn't natively support EPUB. However, you can easily convert the EPUB to Kindle format (MOBI or AZW3) using Calibre or Amazon's Send to Kindle service. Newer Kindles also support sending EPUB files via email for automatic conversion.

Q: Will my Org-mode headings become chapters?

A: Yes! Top-level headings (*) become chapters, and subheadings (**,***) become sections within those chapters. The hierarchical structure of your Org document is preserved as navigable chapters in the EPUB's table of contents.

Q: Are images included in the EPUB?

A: Yes, images linked in your Org document are embedded in the EPUB file. Supported formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, and SVG. Make sure image paths are correct relative to your Org file location.

Q: What happens to code blocks?

A: Code blocks from #+BEGIN_SRC...#+END_SRC are converted to formatted code sections in the EPUB with monospace font. While syntax highlighting may vary by e-reader, the code structure and formatting are preserved.

Q: Can I customize the EPUB styling?

A: The basic conversion creates a standard EPUB with default styling. For custom CSS, fonts, or cover images, you can post-process the EPUB using tools like Calibre or Sigil. These allow you to modify the embedded stylesheets and add professional touches.

Q: What about TODO items and scheduling?

A: Org-mode specific features like TODO states, deadlines, and scheduling are converted to plain text in the EPUB. For example, "TODO Write introduction" becomes simply "TODO Write introduction" as regular text. The interactive task management features don't apply to e-books.

Q: Can I sell the converted EPUB?

A: Absolutely! The EPUB format is accepted by all major e-book retailers. You can upload directly to Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, Google Play Books, Smashwords, and others. For Amazon Kindle, convert the EPUB to KPF using Kindle Create.

Q: How large can the source ORG file be?

A: There's no strict limit on file size. EPUB handles large documents well, and the reflowable nature means even lengthy books are manageable. However, very large documents with many images may take longer to convert.