Convert RST to Textile
Max file size 100mb.
RST vs Textile Format Comparison
| Aspect | RST (Source Format) | Textile (Target Format) |
|---|---|---|
| Format Overview |
RST
reStructuredText
Lightweight markup language developed by the Python community in 2001. Primary format for Python documentation, Sphinx, and Read the Docs. Emphasizes simplicity and readability with explicit, consistent syntax for technical documentation. Python Standard Sphinx Native |
Textile
Textile Markup Language
Human-readable text formatting syntax created by Dean Allen in 2002. Popular in wiki systems, content management platforms, and issue trackers. Known for its simple, intuitive syntax that closely resembles plain text. Wiki Systems Redmine/Jira |
| Technical Specifications |
Structure: Plain text with indentation-based syntax
Encoding: UTF-8 Format: Docutils markup language Processor: Sphinx, Docutils, Pandoc Extensions: .rst, .rest, .txt |
Structure: Plain text with inline markers
Encoding: UTF-8 Format: Textile markup specification Processor: RedCloth (Ruby), Textile.js, Pandoc Extensions: .textile, .txt |
| Syntax Examples |
RST syntax (Python-style): Document Title
==============
Section Header
--------------
This is **bold** and *italic*.
.. code-block:: python
def hello():
print("Hello")
.. note::
Important information here.
|
Textile syntax: h1. Document Title
h2. Section Header
This is *bold* and _italic_.
bc. def hello():
print("Hello")
p(note). Important information here.
|
| Content Support |
|
|
| Advantages |
|
|
| Disadvantages |
|
|
| Common Uses |
|
|
| Best For |
|
|
| Version History |
Introduced: 2001 (David Goodger)
Maintained by: Docutils project Status: Stable, actively maintained Primary Tool: Sphinx (2008+) |
Introduced: 2002 (Dean Allen)
Primary Implementation: RedCloth (Ruby) Status: Stable, maintenance mode Main Platform: Redmine, Textpattern |
| Software Support |
Sphinx: Native support
Docutils: Reference implementation Pandoc: Full support IDEs: PyCharm, VS Code (extensions) |
Redmine: Native support
RedCloth: Ruby processor Pandoc: Full support Textpattern: Native CMS format |
Why Convert RST to Textile?
Converting reStructuredText (RST) documents to Textile format is useful when migrating content to wiki-based systems like Redmine or issue tracking platforms that support Textile markup. While RST excels in technical documentation, Textile offers a simpler syntax that many content authors find more approachable.
Textile was designed to be a "humane" text format that reads naturally as plain text while still providing rich formatting options. This makes it ideal for collaborative environments where non-technical users need to contribute content without learning complex markup syntax.
The conversion is particularly valuable for teams using Redmine for project management. Redmine uses Textile as its default wiki and issue formatting language. By converting RST documentation to Textile, you can easily integrate Python project documentation into Redmine wikis and issue descriptions.
Textile's simplicity also makes it suitable for content management systems and blog platforms. If you're moving technical documentation to a CMS that supports Textile, this conversion preserves your content structure while adapting it to the target platform's expectations.
Key Benefits of Converting RST to Textile:
- Redmine Integration: Native format for Redmine wikis and issues
- Simpler Syntax: Easier for non-technical users to read and edit
- Wiki Compatibility: Works with many wiki systems
- CMS Support: Textpattern and other CMS platforms
- Quick Editing: Faster content updates without complex syntax
- Plain Text Readability: Content remains readable as-is
- Issue Tracking: Format descriptions in Jira-compatible markup
Practical Examples
Example 1: Basic Document Structure
Input RST file (document.rst):
Project Documentation ===================== Overview -------- Welcome to the **project documentation**. This guide covers installation and usage. Features -------- * Automatic file processing * Multiple format support * Easy configuration
Output Textile file (document.textile):
h1. Project Documentation h2. Overview Welcome to the *project documentation*. This guide covers installation and usage. h2. Features * Automatic file processing * Multiple format support * Easy configuration
Example 2: Code and Notes
Input RST file (code_example.rst):
Installation Guide
==================
Install the package::
pip install mypackage
.. note::
Python 3.8+ is required.
.. warning::
Backup your data before upgrading.
Output Textile file (code_example.textile):
h1. Installation Guide Install the package: bc. pip install mypackage p(note). Python 3.8+ is required. p(warning). Backup your data before upgrading.
Example 3: Links and Images
Input RST file (links.rst):
Resources ========= Visit the `official website <https://example.com>`_ for more info. .. image:: logo.png :alt: Project Logo See the `API Reference`_ section for details. .. _API Reference: api.html
Output Textile file (links.textile):
h1. Resources Visit the "official website":https://example.com for more info. !logo.png(Project Logo)! See the "API Reference":api.html section for details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Textile markup?
A: Textile is a lightweight markup language created by Dean Allen in 2002. It was designed to be human-readable and easy to write, producing clean HTML output. It's commonly used in wiki systems like Redmine and content management platforms like Textpattern.
Q: Where is Textile commonly used?
A: Textile is the default markup format in Redmine (project management), Textpattern CMS, and various wiki systems. Some older Jira installations also support Textile. It's popular in Ruby on Rails applications through the RedCloth library.
Q: Will RST directives convert to Textile?
A: Basic directives like notes and warnings convert to Textile paragraph classes. Code blocks become Textile block code. However, Textile has fewer features than RST, so some advanced directives may need manual adjustment or simplification.
Q: How do tables convert from RST to Textile?
A: RST tables convert to Textile's table syntax using the pipe character (|). Simple tables work well, but complex RST grid tables with merged cells may require manual formatting adjustments in Textile.
Q: Can I use Textile in GitHub?
A: GitHub does not natively render Textile files. For GitHub repositories, Markdown or AsciiDoc are better choices. However, if your project uses Redmine for issue tracking, Textile is perfect for wiki pages and issue descriptions.
Q: Is Textile still actively developed?
A: Textile is in maintenance mode rather than active development. The specification is stable, and existing tools continue to work well. For new projects, many choose Markdown, but Textile remains a solid choice for Redmine and legacy systems.
Q: How do I process Textile files?
A: The primary Textile processor is RedCloth for Ruby. There are also JavaScript implementations (textile-js) and PHP libraries. Pandoc can convert Textile to and from many other formats, making it versatile for document processing pipelines.
Q: Can I convert Textile back to RST?
A: Yes, Pandoc supports bidirectional conversion. Use: `pandoc -f textile -t rst input.textile -o output.rst`. This is helpful if you need to bring Redmine wiki content into a Sphinx documentation project.