Exporting OCR Results: TXT, DOCX, or Markdown?
Getting clean text out of an image is only half the job. The other half is choosing the right file to save it in. Our tool lets you download OCR results as a plain text (TXT) file, a Word (DOCX) document, or Markdown (.md), and each one suits a different next step. Here is how to pick.
Plain text (TXT): simple, universal, no frills
A TXT file is exactly what it sounds like: the recognized characters, with line breaks, and nothing else. No fonts, no bold, no headings, no images.
Choose TXT when you want maximum portability and minimum fuss. It opens in any editor on any device, pastes cleanly into other apps, and works well as input for scripts, spreadsheets, or search indexes. If your source was a screenshot, a label, or any block of plain content you just want to reuse, TXT is the fastest path. Our image to text converter outputs this format by default.
The trade-off: TXT discards all formatting. If the original had headings, bold emphasis, or a structured layout, that structure is gone.
Word (DOCX): formatting and easy editing
A DOCX file is a Word document, so it carries paragraph structure and is ready to edit in Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice. When you use our formatted mode, the export tries to preserve the document's flow rather than dumping raw lines.
Choose DOCX when the result is meant to be read or edited as a document: a digitized letter, an essay, a report, or notes you will keep working on. It is the natural choice for anyone who lives in a word processor. To go straight there, use image to Word, and for an in-depth walkthrough see our image to Word guide.
The trade-off: DOCX is heavier than plain text and is best opened in a word processor rather than a code editor or terminal.
Markdown (.md): structure that stays plain text
Markdown is the middle ground. It is still a plain-text file, so it is lightweight and portable like TXT, but it uses simple symbols (such as # for headings and * for emphasis) to record structure. That makes it ideal for the web, documentation, note apps like Obsidian or Notion, and static-site or wiki content.
Choose Markdown when you want to preserve headings and basic structure without locking yourself into a proprietary format. Our image to Markdown converter produces this, and the image to Markdown guide explains where it shines.
The trade-off: the markup symbols are visible until the file is rendered, which can look cluttered if you only wanted clean prose.
Quick comparison
- TXT — smallest, most universal, no formatting. Best for raw reuse and scripts.
- DOCX — keeps formatting, edits like a normal document. Best for documents and reports.
- Markdown — plain text plus lightweight structure. Best for web, docs, and note apps.
Common questions
Which format keeps the most formatting?
DOCX preserves the richest formatting and is meant for word processors. Markdown keeps structure in a lighter, plain-text form. TXT keeps none.
Can I convert between them later?
Yes. Because all three start from the same recognized text, you can paste TXT into Word or convert Markdown to a document anytime. Picking the right format up front just saves a step.
Does the export format affect OCR accuracy?
No. Accuracy depends on the image and the engine, not the output file. The format only changes how the recognized text is packaged.
Not sure which to grab? Start with image to text for plain output, or jump straight to image to Word or image to Markdown when you need structure. Files are deleted after processing and no account is required.