Markdown checklists in Word: are the boxes clickable?

A readable checklist and a form people can click to complete are different deliverables. If the recipient needs to tick tasks in Word, do not assume Markdown conversion has created a form. Agree the workflow using a small sample first.

Write both states clearly

Pandoc supports GitHub-Flavored Markdown task-list syntax: a space marks an unchecked item and x marks a checked one.

- [ ] Review
- [x] Done

Copy the two lines into a .md file without the code fences. Replace the labels with actual tasks and inspect their states before conversion.

What the current converter produces

Testing FileMyLove's converter with this sample produced DOCX list symbols for the empty and crossed boxes. It did not create checkbox content controls for toggling the state.

Use Markdown to Word to prepare a readable checklist copy. If people must complete a form, build appropriate fields in an application supporting that workflow and test with the recipient. Similar-looking boxes do not establish equivalent behavior.

Inspect the delivery copy

1. Retain the Markdown source separately.
2. Convert a short list containing both checked and unchecked items.
3. Open DOCX in the recipient's application and match every label to its state.
4. Inspect nested items and particularly long lines.
5. Add the date or work cycle in the document so readers know when the snapshot applies.
6. For ongoing work, agree which file will hold the authoritative status.

For important tasks, we suggest including the reviewer and what was checked rather than relying on a symbol alone.

Choose a workflow for the job

See Markdown symbols in Word for literal syntax examples and headings and lists for document structure. Conversion runs in the browser without uploading the file.