LaTeX to reStructuredText Converter

About LaTeX to reStructuredText Converter

Convert LaTeX tables to reStructuredText (RST) format for Sphinx documentation, Python docstrings, and technical documentation. Supports both grid and simple table styles.

Key Features

• Grid Tables: Robust format supporting multi-line cells and complex layouts
• Simple Tables: Clean, minimal syntax for straightforward tables
• Header Support: Automatic header row detection and formatting
• Sphinx Compatible: Perfect for Python documentation with Sphinx
• Auto-sizing: Columns automatically sized to fit content
• File Download: Save as .rst file for documentation projects

How to Use

1. Input LaTeX Table: Paste your LaTeX table or upload a .tex file
2. Choose Style: Select grid table (robust) or simple table (clean)
3. Configure Header: Toggle first row as header
4. Review Output: The RST markup updates automatically
5. Copy or Download: Use in your documentation

Table Styles

• Grid Table: Uses +, -, |, and = characters for borders. Supports complex layouts and multi-line cells
• Simple Table: Uses = characters for separators. Cleaner but more limited

Example Conversion

LaTeX Input:

\begin{tabular}{lll}
\toprule
Name & Age & City \\
\midrule
John Doe & 28 & New York \\
Jane Smith & 34 & London \\
\bottomrule
\end{tabular}

reStructuredText Output (Grid Table):

+------------+-----+----------+
| Name       | Age | City     |
+============+=====+==========+
| John Doe   | 28  | New York |
+------------+-----+----------+
| Jane Smith | 34  | London   |
+------------+-----+----------+

reStructuredText Output (Simple Table):

========== === ========
Name       Age City
========== === ========
John Doe   28  New York
Jane Smith 34  London
========== === ========

Common Use Cases

• Sphinx Documentation: Convert research tables for Python project docs
• Python Docstrings: Include tables in function/class documentation
• ReadTheDocs: Create documentation for ReadTheDocs hosting
• Technical Writing: Academic and technical documentation
• API Documentation: Document parameters, return values, etc.

reStructuredText Standards

This converter generates valid reStructuredText following Docutils specifications:

• Grid tables use +, -, |, and = for structure
• Simple tables use = for row separators
• Headers separated with = instead of -
• Columns auto-sized to content width
• Proper alignment and spacing

Integration with Sphinx

Use in your Sphinx documentation:

.. Employee Data Table

+------------+-----+----------+
| Name       | Age | City     |
+============+=====+==========+
| John Doe   | 28  | New York |
+------------+-----+----------+
| Jane Smith | 34  | London   |
+------------+-----+----------+

This table shows employee information.

Grid vs Simple Tables

• Grid Tables: More flexible, support multi-line cells, complex layouts, but more verbose
• Simple Tables: Cleaner syntax, easier to read in source, but limited to single-line cells
• Recommendation: Use grid tables for complex data, simple tables for basic information

Tips for Best Results

• Use grid tables when cells might contain long text
• Use simple tables for clean, readable source code
• Keep cell content concise for better formatting
• Test output in Sphinx to ensure proper rendering
• Use header row for better documentation clarity

Privacy & Security

All conversions happen locally in your browser. Your LaTeX data is never uploaded to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.