Convert TEX to RST
Max file size 100mb.
TEX vs reStructuredText Format Comparison
| Aspect | TEX (Source Format) | RST (Target Format) |
|---|---|---|
| Format Overview |
TEX / LaTeX
Document Preparation System
LaTeX is a high-quality typesetting system designed for scientific and technical documentation. Created by Leslie Lamport as a macro package for Donald Knuth's TeX system, it's the standard for academic publishing, especially in mathematics, physics, and computer science. Scientific Academic |
reStructuredText
Python Documentation Standard
reStructuredText (RST) is an easy-to-read plaintext markup syntax used extensively in the Python community. It's the default format for Python documentation via Sphinx and supports complex documentation features like cross-referencing, automatic indexing, and API documentation. Python Sphinx |
| Technical Specifications |
Structure: Plain text with markup commands
Encoding: UTF-8 or ASCII Format: Open standard (TeX/LaTeX) Processing: Compiled to DVI/PDF Extensions: .tex, .latex, .ltx |
Structure: Plain text with semantic markup
Encoding: UTF-8 (standard) Format: Docutils standard Processing: Converted via Sphinx/Docutils Extensions: .rst, .rest, .txt |
| Syntax Examples |
LaTeX uses backslash commands: \documentclass{article}
\title{My Document}
\author{John Doe}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\section{Introduction}
This is a paragraph with
\textbf{bold} and \textit{italic}.
\begin{itemize}
\item First item
\item Second item
\end{itemize}
$E = mc^2$
\end{document}
|
RST uses underlines and directives: ============ My Document ============ :Author: John Doe Introduction ============ This is a paragraph with **bold** and *italic* text. * First item * Second item .. math:: E = mc^2 |
| Content Support |
|
|
| Advantages |
|
|
| Disadvantages |
|
|
| Common Uses |
|
|
| Best For |
|
|
| Version History |
TeX Introduced: 1978 (Donald Knuth)
LaTeX Introduced: 1984 (Leslie Lamport) Current Version: LaTeX2e (1994+) Status: Active development (LaTeX3) |
Introduced: 2001 (David Goodger)
Part of: Docutils project Sphinx: 2008 (Georg Brandl) Status: Active development |
| Software Support |
TeX Live: Full distribution (all platforms)
MiKTeX: Windows distribution Overleaf: Online editor/compiler Editors: TeXstudio, TeXmaker, VS Code |
Sphinx: Documentation generator
Docutils: Core processing library Read the Docs: Hosting platform Editors: VS Code, PyCharm, Sublime |
Why Convert LaTeX to reStructuredText?
Converting LaTeX documents to reStructuredText is ideal when you want to integrate academic content into Python documentation projects, software manuals, or Sphinx-based documentation systems. RST is the standard for Python package documentation and works seamlessly with Read the Docs.
While LaTeX excels at typesetting mathematical papers, RST provides better integration with software documentation workflows. It supports automatic API documentation generation, cross-referencing between documents, and can produce multiple output formats including HTML, PDF, and ePub.
The Python community has standardized on RST for documentation, making it the preferred format for projects like NumPy, SciPy, and thousands of other packages. Converting your LaTeX content to RST allows it to be included in these documentation ecosystems.
Key Benefits of Converting TEX to RST:
- Sphinx Integration: Works with the Python documentation standard
- API Documentation: Combine prose with auto-generated API docs
- Read the Docs: Easy hosting on the popular platform
- Cross-References: Powerful linking between documents
- Multiple Outputs: Generate HTML, PDF, ePub from one source
- Version Control: Plain text works great with Git
- Math Support: Mathematical notation via Sphinx extensions
Practical Examples
Example 1: Documentation Section
Input TEX file (docs.tex):
\section{Installation}
This package requires Python 3.8 or higher.
\subsection{Using pip}
Install using pip:
\begin{verbatim}
pip install mypackage
\end{verbatim}
\textbf{Note:} Virtual environment recommended.
Output RST file (docs.rst):
Installation ============ This package requires Python 3.8 or higher. Using pip --------- Install using pip: .. code-block:: bash pip install mypackage .. note:: Virtual environment recommended.
Example 2: Mathematical Content
Input TEX file (math.tex):
\section{Algorithms}
The time complexity is $O(n \log n)$.
\begin{equation}
f(x) = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-x^2} dx
\end{equation}
Output RST file (math.rst):
Algorithms
==========
The time complexity is :math:`O(n \log n)`.
.. math::
f(x) = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-x^2} dx
Example 3: Lists and References
Input TEX file (guide.tex):
\section{Features}
\begin{enumerate}
\item Fast processing
\item Easy configuration
\item Extensive API
\end{enumerate}
See \cite{smith2020} for details.
Output RST file (guide.rst):
Features ======== #. Fast processing #. Easy configuration #. Extensive API See :cite:`smith2020` for details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is LaTeX/TEX?
A: LaTeX is a document preparation system built on top of TeX, a typesetting system created by Donald Knuth in 1978. LaTeX was created by Leslie Lamport in 1984 to make TeX easier to use. It's the standard for academic publishing in mathematics, physics, computer science, and other STEM fields.
Q: What is reStructuredText used for?
A: RST is primarily used for Python project documentation, including the official Python documentation, package documentation on PyPI, and technical documentation hosted on Read the Docs. It's also used for Linux kernel documentation and various other technical writing projects.
Q: How are mathematical equations handled?
A: Math is converted to RST math directives and roles. Inline math uses :math:`equation` syntax, while display equations use the .. math:: directive. Sphinx can render these using MathJax or LaTeX (for PDF output).
Q: Can I use this with Sphinx?
A: Yes! The RST output is fully compatible with Sphinx. You can include the converted files in your Sphinx documentation project and build HTML, PDF, ePub, and other formats. Sphinx extensions can add additional features like API documentation.
Q: How do cross-references work?
A: LaTeX cross-references are converted to RST reference syntax. Internal links use :ref: roles, and citations use :cite: roles (with sphinxcontrib-bibtex extension). You may need to adjust label names to match your Sphinx project structure.
Q: Is RST harder than Markdown?
A: RST has stricter syntax than Markdown but offers more features. It requires exact whitespace and specific formatting for directives. However, its power comes from features like roles, directives, and extensibility that Markdown lacks.
Q: Can I host RST documentation online?
A: Yes! Read the Docs is a free hosting service designed specifically for RST/Sphinx documentation. It automatically builds and hosts your docs from a Git repository. Many open-source projects use Read the Docs for their documentation.