File Selection
There are three ways to select files for conversion:Method 1: Click to Browse
- Click the large blue box labeled “Click to add your file”
- Browse your file system and select the file you want to convert
- Click “Open” to confirm
Method 2: Drag and Drop
- Locate your file in your file explorer
- Drag the file directly onto the browser window
- Drop it anywhere on the page
Method 3: Paste from Clipboard
- Copy a file to your clipboard (using Ctrl+C or Cmd+C)
- Click on the Convert to it! window
- Press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac) to paste
All input files must be of the same type when converting multiple files. If you try to select files with different formats, you’ll receive an error.
Format Selection
Input Format
After selecting your file, Convert to it! automatically detects the input format in most cases:- The format is detected using the file’s MIME type
- If multiple formats share the same MIME type, the file extension is used as a tiebreaker
- If automatic detection fails, use the search box to find your format manually
Output Format
Select your desired output format from the second list:- Output format list is located on the right side (desktop) or below the input list (mobile)
- Use the search box to quickly find formats by name or extension
- You can search by format name (e.g., “PNG”), extension (e.g., “png”), or MIME type
Simple vs Advanced Mode
Convert to it! offers two modes to balance ease of use with power-user functionality:- Simple Mode (Default)
- Advanced Mode
Simple Mode
Best for most users - recommended unless you need specific handler control.Features:- Each format appears only once in the lists
- Automatically selects the best conversion handler
- Cleaner, less cluttered interface
- Blue highlight color indicates simple mode
- The converter automatically finds the best path between formats
- If one route fails, it tries alternative handlers automatically
- You just select input and output - the tool handles the rest
- You’ll see “PNG - Portable Network Graphics (image/png)” just once
- The converter decides whether to use ImageMagick, FFmpeg, or canvasToBlob
Conversion Process
Step-by-Step Conversion
- Select your file using any of the three methods above
- Verify the input format - it should auto-select, or search if needed
- Choose your output format from the right/bottom list
- Click the Convert button - it will light up when both formats are selected
- Wait for processing - a popup will show the conversion progress
- Download your file - it will automatically download when complete
What Happens During Conversion
Route Finding
The converter searches for the best path between your input and output formats. Sometimes this requires multiple intermediate conversions.Example: Converting AVI to PDF might route through:
AVI → PNG → PDFProcessing
Your file is processed through each handler in the conversion path. A popup shows the current route being attempted:
Fallback Handling
If a conversion route fails, the tool automatically tries alternative paths. Dead-end routes are marked and avoided in subsequent attempts.
Understanding Conversion Routes
Convert to it! uses a graph traversal algorithm to find conversion paths:- Direct conversion: If a handler supports both formats directly (e.g., PNG → JPEG via ImageMagick)
- Multi-step conversion: If no direct route exists, multiple handlers chain together
- Intelligent routing: Failed paths are remembered and avoided
Multiple File Conversion
You can convert multiple files at once:- Select multiple files of the same type when browsing
- All files will be converted using the same route
- Each output file downloads individually
- Files are sorted alphabetically by name
The interface shows:
filename.ext ... and X more when multiple files are selected.Format Caching
The first time you load Convert to it!, it builds a list of supported formats:- This process can take 30-60 seconds on first load
- A “Built initial format list” message appears in the browser console when complete
- The cache persists in your browser for faster subsequent loads
printSupportedFormatCache() in the console to export cache data.
Privacy and Security
Where are my files processed?
Where are my files processed?
100% locally in your browser. Your files never leave your computer.
- All conversion happens using WebAssembly and JavaScript in your browser
- No server uploads required
- No network requests for file data
- Complete privacy and security
What data is collected?
What data is collected?
Convert to it! does not collect or transmit your files or file data. Standard web analytics may track page visits, but your actual file content remains completely private.
Can I use this offline?
Can I use this offline?
Once the page is loaded and all handlers are initialized, many conversions can work offline. However, first-time handler loading requires an internet connection to download WebAssembly modules and dependencies.
Tips for Best Results
Use Simple Mode
Let the converter find the best route automatically. Advanced mode is only needed for specific handler control.
Check File Extensions
If auto-detection fails, ensure your file has the correct extension that matches its actual format.
Be Patient
Some conversions, especially video processing, can take several minutes depending on file size.
Try Alternative Routes
If a conversion fails, try selecting a different intermediate format manually (in advanced mode).
Next Steps
Supported Formats
View the complete list of supported file formats and categories
Troubleshooting
Get help with common issues and error messages