MDX to PDF LogoMDX to PDF Converter

How to Render Markdown Inside Components in MDX Files: A Practical Guide

When building MDX pages that mix React components with markdown content, you might notice that text inside components does not always render as expected. Instead of converting bold text into proper HTML (for example, into a strong tag), the content sometimes appears as plain text.

In this guide, we explain why this happens and show you a simple fix that ensures your markdown content is processed correctly, so you get the polished output you expect.

The Problem: Markdown Not Being Rendered

Imagine you have a React component in your MDX file. For example, you might write your code as follows:

<Component>
Generated HTML
</Component>

In this case, the rendered output appears as:

<div>
<p><strong>Generated HTML</strong></p>
</div>

However, the expected output is:

<div>
Generated HTML
</div>

The Simple Solution: Adding Newlines

The fix is straightforward. By adding blank lines before and after your markdown content within the component, you signal to the MDX compiler that the content should be parsed as markdown. Update your code as follows:

<Component>
Generated HTML
</Component>

With these additional blank lines, the MDX compiler correctly processes the markdown. The output now becomes the desired HTML, with the bold markdown converted into a strong tag wrapped in a paragraph element.

Why This Works

The MDX compiler distinguishes between inline text and markdown blocks based on whitespace. Adding blank lines indicates that the enclosed text should be parsed as markdown rather than as plain text. This technique ensures that markdown syntax—such as bold formatting—is converted into the appropriate HTML elements.

This approach is especially important if you are using our MDX-to-PDF converter at mdx-to-pdf.com. Ensuring your content is rendered correctly means that the PDFs generated from your pages will maintain the intended formatting and style.

Best Practices for Using Markdown in MDX Components

Here are some tips to ensure consistent results in your MDX files:

  • Always use blank lines to separate markdown content from component tags.
  • Preview your MDX files regularly to verify that all markdown is rendered as expected.
  • Maintain a consistent markdown style across your project.
  • Document this approach within your team to keep your content uniform.

Conclusion

Rendering markdown inside components in MDX files can be challenging if the necessary whitespace is not included. By simply adding blank lines before and after your markdown content, you ensure that it is processed properly into HTML. This small adjustment leads to correctly formatted output—both on your website and in generated PDFs.

At mdx-to-pdf.com we are committed to helping you streamline your content workflow. If you have further questions or need additional tips on managing MDX content, please explore our other guides or contact our support team.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with your colleagues or leave a comment below. For more insights on MDX and PDF conversion best practices, check out our blog and resources at mdx-to-pdf.com.