OPML to Ms Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
OPML is the outline-exchange XML: nested <outline> elements that carry subscription lists (podcast apps, RSS readers) and mind-map exports from Workflowy, Dynalist and OmniOutliner. Produce ms source when a document must run through classic troff/groff typesetting.
iLoveConverter processes everything locally on your computer, which makes it private and fast: no upload wait, no server storage, no limits. Add as many files as you like — batch conversion is built in.
How OPML compares to Ms
| OPML | Ms | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | XML <outline> tree | roff ms macros (.TL/.NH/.DS) |
| Types / schema | XML, text + attributes | Plain text, troff grammar |
| Compatibility | RSS readers, outliners, Pandoc | groff -ms, heirloom-doctools |
| Best for | Subscriptions lists and mind maps | Papers and memos via troff |
How to convert OPML to Ms
- 1
Select your files
Select your OPML file.
- 2
Convert instantly
The file is first converted to markdown (an interchange format that keeps headings, lists and paragraphs), then rebuilt into the target format.
- 3
Download results
Download the Ms — structure preserved, heavy layout simplified.
About the OPML format
OPML (Outline Processor Markup) is XML for hierarchies: nested <outline> elements, each with text and optional attributes. It is the silent standard behind podcast and RSS subscription lists — every "export subscriptions" button produces one — and the interchange format for outliners like Workflowy, Dynalist and OmniOutliner.
An outline is already half a document: Pandoc turns OPML hierarchies into Markdown headings, Word outlines or HTML pages with the nesting preserved, and can write OPML back out so a bulleted plan becomes an importable tree in your outliner of choice.
+Strengths
- ✓Universal outline exchange between outliners
- ✓The RSS/podcast subscription standard
- ✓Trivially parseable XML
!Limitations
- −Hierarchies only — no rich text per node
- −Attribute conventions vary between apps
- −Rarely rendered directly for humans
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
Why convert OPML to Ms?
Converting makes sense where the strengths of Ms meet what OPML cannot give you. Classic, reproducible print typography Meanwhile Hierarchies only — no rich text per node One pass through the converter above puts your file on the right side of that trade-off.
Frequently asked questions
Is this OPML to Ms converter really free?
Yes — completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily conversion limits. The site is supported by advertising.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your files never leave your device — that is what makes it instant and private.
Does it work on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Anything with a modern browser works: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. No software installation is required.
Is there a file size limit for OPML to Ms?
The only limit is your device's memory, since nothing is uploaded. Files up to a few hundred megabytes work fine on a modern desktop browser; very large files simply take a little longer.
Can I edit the Ms result afterwards?
That depends on the target: Ms is designed for what it does, and this converter reproduces its content faithfully rather than inventing editable structure. For heavy re-editing, work from a format built for editing and export the final version here.
Will the layout of my OPML file be preserved exactly?
This converter renders your OPML content into Ms with pages, proportions and images kept as close to the original as the target format allows. Use the preview before downloading to confirm it looks the way you expect.