Free online TEXTILE to ORG converter

Textile is a lightweight markup language used to write formatted content with simple plain-text syntax. Org is a powerful plain-text markup format from Emacs Org mode, widely used for notes, outlines, tasks, and publishing. Converting Textile to Org means translating Textile formatting such as headings, lists, links, and emphasis into Org-compatible syntax.

Why convert textile to org

You may want this conversion when moving documentation, notes, or blog content into an Org mode workflow. Org files are especially useful for task management, literate programming, and exporting to many formats, while Textile is often found in older CMS content and lightweight documentation systems.

How the formats differ

Textile uses punctuation-based markup such as h1. for headings, *bold* for emphasis, and link syntax like "label":url. Org uses asterisks for headings, slashes or asterisks for emphasis, and bracket-based links such as [[url][label]]. Because the syntax rules are different, a direct copy usually will not preserve formatting correctly.

Best software for conversion

The best option for accurate conversion is usually a scripted converter using Pandoc, if your Textile input is supported in your environment. Pandoc is strong for markup translation and can often handle headings, lists, links, and inline formatting well. For manual or batch workflows, you can also use Emacs with Org mode and a custom conversion script.

Recommended tools:

• Pandoc — best for automated document conversion and batch processing.
• Emacs Org mode — best if you want to refine the result directly in Org.
• Text editor with regex support — useful for small files or custom cleanup.

How to convert

If your converter supports Textile input and Org output, the process is straightforward. For example, with a command-line workflow you may use a conversion command provided by your tool, then review the result in an Org editor.

Typical workflow:

1. Open the Textile source file.
2. Convert it to Org using a supported tool or script.
3. Check headings, lists, links, and code blocks.
4. Fix any formatting that did not translate perfectly.

If you are using a menu-based application, look for commands such as File → Open, File → Export, or File → Save As, depending on the software.

What to check after conversion

After conversion, verify that:

• Headings use the correct number of leading asterisks.
• Bold and italic formatting are preserved.
• Links are rewritten in Org link syntax.
• Lists keep their nesting and indentation.
• Code blocks and quotes remain readable.

Example mapping

Common syntax changes include:

• Textile heading: h1. Title → Org heading: * Title
• Textile bold: *bold* → Org bold: *bold* or **bold** depending on context and parser
• Textile link: "Site":https://example.com → Org link: [[https://example.com][Site]]

Recommendation

For most users, Pandoc is the best starting point for Textile to Org conversion because it is fast, scriptable, and suitable for batch jobs. If you need to edit and polish the result, open the converted file in Emacs Org mode for final cleanup.