BellbirdDocuments to LaTeX
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User manual · edition 1

Bellbird User Manual

This guide covers supported formats, LaTeX templates, and how to convert, review, and export documents with Bellbird.

Manual edition1st edition App version0.3.0 Updated Manual authorDiego Pereira do Nascimento

01 · Overview

About Bellbird

Bellbird is a GNOME app that converts documents into well-organized LaTeX code. Processing happens on your computer, so you do not need an account or an internet connection to convert files.

The result is a LaTeX file that you can review, copy, or export to continue working with the tools you prefer.

Bellbird home screen with an area for dropping or selecting a document and a list of supported formats.
Bellbird's home screen, ready for you to choose a document.

02 · Formats and templates

Choose a document and an output style

Input formats

Bellbird opens these formats:

  • Word: .docx
  • EPUB: .epub
  • HTML: .htm and .html
  • Markdown: .markdown and .md
  • OpenDocument: .odt
  • Org: .org
  • reStructuredText: .rst
  • LaTeX: .tex
  • Plain text: .txt

Output templates

Choose a LaTeX style that fits your document:

  • Standard LaTeX
  • ABNT (abnTeX2)
  • IEEE (IEEEtran)
  • ACM (acmart)
  • Elsevier (elsarticle)
  • Springer Nature (sn-jnl)
LaTeX style selector showing the ABNT, IEEE, ACM, Elsevier, and Springer Nature options.
Output templates available in Bellbird's style selector.

03 · Conversion

Convert a document to LaTeX

  1. Drop a file into the Bellbird window or choose Select a file.
  2. Once the document is open, choose a template from LaTeX style.
  3. Wait for processing to finish. The generated code appears in LaTeX output.

To change the template, choose another option under LaTeX style. Bellbird updates the output using the document that is already open.

Files can be up to 10 MiB. To avoid errors, also make sure the file is stored locally on your computer.

A document open in Bellbird, with the ABNT template selected and the generated LaTeX code in the output area.
Imported document and generated LaTeX code, ready for review.

04 · Output

Review, copy, or export the result

  1. Read the code in LaTeX output. Line numbers make it easier to find specific sections.
  2. Choose Copy LaTeX to copy the content to your clipboard.
  3. Choose Export LaTeX to save a .tex file. The file picker suggests the Downloads folder and a name based on the document; you can choose a different location or name.

Review any warnings and the generated code before using it. Some content may be converted to plain text to keep the LaTeX valid, and documents with structural or citation issues may need adjustments.

Bellbird uses the author information found in the document. If no author is present, the output marks a place for you to fill in.

Bellbird window with generated LaTeX code, the menu open, and buttons to export or copy the result.
Use the actions at the bottom of the results screen to export or copy the code.

05 · Privacy and limitations

How your documents are processed

Conversion happens locally. Bellbird does not upload documents to a cloud service and does not require an account or an internet connection to process them.

What the output includes

  • Bellbird generates a single .tex file; it does not create a PDF.
  • Images and attached resources are not included in the output. When available, image descriptions are kept as text.
  • Bellbird does not compile LaTeX. To create a PDF, open the exported file in a LaTeX distribution and install the class and packages required by the selected template.

06 · Installation

Requirements and installation

Bellbird 0.3.0 is available as a free Flatpak for Linux x86_64. Download Bellbird 0.3.0.

If Flatpak is not set up on your computer yet, see the instructions for preparing your system.

Return to the site's download section for the format, platform, and license.

07 · Troubleshooting

Common issues

The file format is not supported

Check the list of input formats in this manual and select a file with a supported extension.

The file cannot be opened

Make sure the file is stored locally, the app can access it, and its size does not exceed 10 MiB.

The result needs adjustments

Review the messages and generated code. Unsupported content may become plain text, and citations or LaTeX structures may need manual corrections.

I need a PDF

Bellbird generates LaTeX code but does not compile it. Use a LaTeX distribution with the classes and packages required by the selected template.

If the issue persists, note the steps that caused it and the message shown, then report the issue.

08 · Identification

Software and manual information

Documented software

Name
Bellbird
Developer
Diego Pereira do Nascimento
Documented version
0.3.0
Platform
Linux · GNOME
Package format
Flatpak · Linux x86_64
License
GNU GPL version 3 or later (GPL-3.0-or-later)
Technologies
Rust · GTK 4 · Libadwaita
Bellbird About window showing the app icon, creator's name, version 0.1.0, and project links.
Bellbird's About window with the installed version and project links.

Manual authorship and edition

Author
Diego Pereira do Nascimento
Edition
1st edition · English
Updated

Project links

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