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Marker: Convert PDF to Markdown quickly with high accuracy (github.com)

683 points by sebg · 995 days ago · 95 comments on HN

Article summary

Marker is a tool that converts PDF documents to markdown quickly and accurately, handling various file types and languages. It uses a combination of layout detection, OCR, and table recognition to achieve high-quality conversions. The tool is open-source and available on GitHub, with a managed platform offering higher accuracy and custom batch processing services. Marker's performance is measured on a third-party benchmark, showing competitive results with other models.

Main themes

  • PDF conversion
  • markdown formatting
  • OCR technology
  • document accessibility
  • knowledge distribution
  • tool performance
  • accuracy and limitations
  • use cases and applications
  • image extraction and handling
  • math and equation support

What commenters say

  • The tool has the potential to free up knowledge from PDF formats, making it more accessible and distributable. Some users have found the tool to be useful for specific use cases, such as converting RPG rulebooks or construction documents. The accuracy of the tool is a concern, with some users noting that it may not handle certain layouts or formatting well. The use of LLMs in the tool can lead to hallucinations, which may be a problem for certain applications. The tool's performance is competitive with other models, but may not be the best choice for every use case. Some users have suggested that the tool could be improved with additional features, such as image extraction or support for multi-column layouts.
  • The tool's ability to handle equations and math symbols is a key feature, but may not be as accurate as other models specifically designed for academic documents. The tool's speed and efficiency are notable, making it a good choice for large-scale conversions. The importance of preprocessing and image quality is highlighted, as the tool's performance can be sensitive to these factors.