Extract text from software documentation files (README)
To convert README documentation files to another format, you need Visual Studio Code or other Text software.
To convert other file formats to the "Plain Text Documentation File" file type, you need software like Visual Studio Code or a similar tool.
The .readme file extension usually denotes a plain text document containing essential instructions, software release notes, or licensing details. Originally popularized as 'README.TXT' in early computing systems, the format is now a ubiquitous standard in software development, including platforms like GitHub and data exports like Google Takeout. These files serve as the starting point for users to understand a directory's contents or how to install a program.
You can easily open a .readme file using basic text editors like Notepad++ on Windows or TextEdit on macOS. Developers often prefer Visual Studio Code. However, the format has significant limitations. Because it relies purely on unformatted plain text, it lacks support for embedded images, hyperlinks, bold text, or structured tables. Furthermore, sharing a bare .readme file with non-technical users often leads to confusion. The file rarely associates automatically with a default application on desktop operating systems, prompting an annoying 'Choose an app to open this file' dialog.
To make these instructions accessible and presentable, conversion is highly recommended. Drop your file here to view and convert it securely right in your browser. For web publishing and structured formatting, convert to MD (Markdown) or HTML. For professional distribution or archiving, converting to PDF ensures the layout is locked and universally readable. If you just need guaranteed compatibility across all mobile and desktop devices without file association errors, convert it to standard TXT.
Convert.Guru analyzes your README file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted MD, TXT, DOCX, HTML, PDF, ZIP, PY, EXE, BIN, NFO, XML and TEXT files.
If you want to convert README file to PDF, HTML, TEXT, DOCX, TXT, RTF, DOC, ODT, PAGES, TEX, LATEX or MD, you can use Visual Studio Code or similar software from the "Software Instructions and Documentation" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert PDF, DOC, ASC, TODO, NFO, MEMO, DOCX, JPG, TXT, NOTE, RTF or LOG files to README, try Visual Studio Code or another comparable tool in the "Software Instructions and Documentation" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our README converter.