MCP server
MarkItDown
Convert supported files to text locally, while keeping optional cloud-enhanced plugins disabled for sensitive material.
Published by the company that makes the product.
What it can access
The local server reads only files or URLs presented to it. Optional plugins can call external services, so local conversion and cloud-enhanced conversion are different modes.
Security note
Install from Microsoft's repository, pin a reviewed version, and leave optional cloud or vision plugins disabled for sensitive files.
Do you need it?
Use it when a technical participant repeatedly needs clean text from mixed file formats. For one PDF or spreadsheet, the assistant’s normal file upload may be simpler.
Capability and permissions
Microsoft’s server can read presented local files or URLs and return Markdown. Base conversion can be local. Optional OCR, vision, or model plugins may send content to external services.
Least-privilege setup
As of 2026-09-01, install from Microsoft’s official repository, pin a reviewed release, leave optional cloud plugins off, and expose one input folder plus a separate output folder. Do not grant access to a home or shared-drive root.
Harmless success test
Convert a one-page public document containing a heading, paragraph, and small table. Compare every line and confirm the server cannot read a file outside the input folder.
Disable, revoke, remove
Remove the MCP configuration, stop the local server, uninstall its isolated environment, and delete test outputs. Revoke any optional service key if one was configured.
When not to connect
Do not enable cloud or vision plugins until their provider and retention are approved. Do not assume converted tables, reading order, or footnotes are exact.