The canonical answer is Pandoc.

Based on what others have suggested, I've just tried out pandoc for this, and it's produced really good results in CommonMark from some quite hideous Word documents.

You could open the doc or docx in LibreOffice 26.2 and use its Markdown export feature?

Then instead of asking here, ask whoever controls what software you can install.

I am surprised at such negative responses.

I am asking about alternatives to LibreOffice for a reason (stated)

Pandoc library and Microsoft Markitdown -- that other helpful comments suggested -- seem like two options that might actually work in my case and I will give them a try. My asking here was fruitful.

Running python and using python libraries is allowed on our work pcs but not running arbitrary software and EXEs with or without an installer. I cannot override company security policy, and cannot simply "talk to" our infosec team and get them to allow me to install stuff. Hope this clarifies.

You can put it on and USB stick, see e.g. https://portableapps.com/, this includes a package manger and other tools.

And potentially get fired for using unauthorised software on a corporate machine. Or find out tha USB storage is disabled (which is better than getting fired).

That is horribly Draconian. You need to find a better place to work.

"Unauthorized software" is a thing where you work? OMFG.

Then talk to whoever manages your machines.

Ah yes, your workplace is under the control of the Microsoft Priesthood who have declared that the masses under their thumb will adhere to the law of Redmond, that no other religion will be tolerated. You need to find a better place to work.

> until Microsoft adds "Saves As" option to office apps

LibreOffice also allows to convert documents via command line, so there's one more bonus.

I don't know about converting PowerPoint and Excel to Markdown, but for Word, I'd say open the file in LibreOffice Writer 26.2, and save as Markdown.

Alternatively, use pandoc, and save the command in a .sh or .ps1 to remember.

If you like to have it integrated in Word: https://www.writage.com/features/

Thanks

This might be useful on a personal PC -- licence seems expensive, though I like it being a one time purchase and not monthly subscription.

Will look to do the free trial to evaluate. (Hope we see more such tooling, and also push the likes of Microsoft to add native support)

My main usecase is on work PC though where I wont be able to install additional software or plugins. So was exploring python scripts and the like.

Thanks for the pointer.

Copy-paste it to Obsidian.

Oh? Let me check. That would be wonderful

Microsoft added markdown support to Notepad, and that went well /s