The ms macros are the other roff formatting package (alongside man) — Bell Labs' classic typesetting layer used for troff papers and Unix documentation since the 1970s.
Typical use: Produce ms source when a document must run through classic troff/groff typesetting.
About the Ms format
The ms macros are the other great roff package: Bell Labs' general-purpose typesetting layer that produced papers, memos and books on Unix since the 1970s. Where man pages have one narrow shape, ms gives you .TL titles, .NH numbered headings, .DS display blocks — a full letterpress-grade document system in a few dozen macros.
ms remains the shortest path from plain text to a classically typeset PDF via groff. Generating ms from Markdown sources with Pandoc lets modern writing flow into that pipeline: the content is authored today, the typography comes from fifty years of Unix tradition.
Strengths
- ✓ Classic, reproducible print typography
- ✓ Tiny macro set, no GUI needed
- ✓ groff ships everywhere
Limitations
- ✗ Niche outside academic/Unix circles
- ✗ No rich media
- ✗ Learning curve comparable to LaTeX
- Structure
- roff ms macros (.TL/.NH/.DS)
- Types / schema
- Plain text, troff grammar
- Compatibility
- groff -ms, heirloom-doctools
- Best for
- Papers and memos via troff
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Ms file?
The ms macros are the other roff formatting package (alongside man) — Bell Labs' classic typesetting layer used for troff papers and Unix documentation since the 1970s.
How do I convert Ms files online?
Pick a target format from the "Convert Ms to…" list below, drop your file and hit convert. Everything runs in your browser — no install, no upload, no watermark, no limits.
Is it safe to convert Ms files here?
Yes. Every conversion is performed by your own device inside the browser — files never leave for a server, and the page keeps working even offline.
Which formats can Ms convert to?
This page lists all 1 directions across documents, images, audio, video, spreadsheets and archives — each one is its own free converter page.