Document Conversion and Academic Figure Tools

Transform Your Academic Workflow with Pandoc and Professional Illustration Tools

Transform your academic workflow with Pandoc — a powerful, free, and open-source document converter that handles Word, LaTeX, PDF, Markdown, HTML, EPUB, and more. Perfect for researchers and students who need seamless format conversion with citation support.

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Essential Pandoc Commands

Word to PDF Conversion

pandoc myfile.docx -o myfile.pdf --pdf-engine=xelatex

Markdown to Word

pandoc myfile.md -o myfile.docx

LaTeX to Word

pandoc myfile.tex -o myfile.docx

Word to LaTeX

pandoc myfile.docx -o myfile.tex

Markdown to PDF

pandoc myfile.md -o myfile.pdf --pdf-engine=xelatex

HTML to Word

pandoc myfile.html -o myfile.docx

Word to HTML

pandoc myfile.docx -o myfile.html

With Bibliography (Citations)

pandoc myfile.md -o myfile.pdf --bibliography=refs.bib --csl=apa.csl

Multiple Input Files

pandoc chapter1.md chapter2.md chapter3.md -o thesis.pdf

Extract Text from PDF

pandoc myfile.pdf -o myfile.txt

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Quick Reference Table

Conversion	Command
Word → PDF	pandoc file.docx -o file.pdf --pdf-engine=xelatex
Word → LaTeX	pandoc file.docx -o file.tex
LaTeX → Word	pandoc file.tex -o file.docx
Markdown → Word	pandoc file.md -o file.docx
Markdown → PDF	pandoc file.md -o file.pdf --pdf-engine=xelatex
HTML → Word	pandoc file.html -o file.docx
Word → HTML	pandoc file.docx -o file.html

TipDownload Pandoc

Get Pandoc from the official website: pandoc.org

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Illustration and Figure Preparation Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Good for simple vector illustrations and quick academic diagrams with built-in templates and smart graphics.

Microsoft Visio

Professional tool for flowcharts, system diagrams, and complex technical illustrations with extensive shape libraries.

Figma

Collaborative interface design tool perfect for creating modern, professional academic figures and presentations.

Visit Figma

Lucidchart

Web-based diagramming platform with templates for research workflows, process diagrams, and organizational charts.

Visit Lucidchart

Draw.io (diagrams.net)

Free, open-source tool for flowcharts, network diagrams, and structured illustrations with cloud storage integration.

Visit Draw.io

GIMP

Powerful open-source image editor similar to Photoshop, ideal for photo manipulation and raster graphics editing.

Visit GIMP

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Tools Comparison

Tool	Type	Best For	Cost
PowerPoint	Desktop	Quick diagrams, presentations	Paid (Microsoft 365)
Visio	Desktop	Flowcharts, technical diagrams	Paid
Figma	Web/Desktop	Modern figures, collaboration	Free tier available
Lucidchart	Web	Research workflows, org charts	Free tier available
Draw.io	Web/Desktop	Flowcharts, network diagrams	Free
GIMP	Desktop	Image editing, raster graphics	Free

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Advanced Pandoc Options

Custom PDF Styling

pandoc myfile.md -o myfile.pdf --pdf-engine=xelatex --template=custom.tex

Table of Contents

pandoc myfile.md -o myfile.pdf --toc --toc-depth=3

Numbered Sections

pandoc myfile.md -o myfile.pdf --number-sections

Extract Media from Word

pandoc myfile.docx --extract-media=./media -o myfile.md

Standalone HTML

pandoc myfile.md -o myfile.html --standalone --self-contained

NotePro Tip

Combine multiple options for complex conversions:

pandoc myfile.md -o myfile.pdf \
  --pdf-engine=xelatex \
  --bibliography=refs.bib \
  --csl=ieee.csl \
  --toc \
  --number-sections