Recast file formats: native conversions and extra tools
Choose the exact input and output you need. Recast uses your Mac's format support and detects extra conversion tools; a format name alone does not guarantee a particular file will convert.
By Luke Kevin McLaughlin, IndepApps · Updated
Common format pairs
| Conversion | What provides it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| HEIC → JPEG or PNG | macOS image readers and writers | Confirm the target is offered on your Mac. JPEG loses transparency; inspect orientation, colour and metadata. |
| PNG / JPEG / TIFF → PDF | macOS image reader and PDF writer | Produces an image-based PDF. This does not add searchable text or OCR. |
| MOV → MP4; MP4 → MOV | AVFoundation on macOS | The container is only part of the format. Test the codec, quality, audio and full duration. |
| MOV / MP4 → M4A | AVFoundation audio export | The source needs a readable audio track. This creates audio, not a transcript. |
| MP3 → WAV / AIFF / CAF / M4A | AVFoundation on macOS | Re-encoding does not restore information lost in the original MP3. |
| WAV / M4A / MOV → MP3 | Detected FFmpeg installation | MP3 writing requires FFmpeg. Do not assume it is supplied with the small website installer. |
| MKV / WebM / AVI → MP4 | Detected FFmpeg installation | Codec and build support vary. Check your sample and output playback before a batch. |
| DOCX / DOC / ODT / RTF / HTML / TXT → PDF | macOS document reader and PDF rendering | Inspect fonts, tables, pagination and images. Complex Word layouts may change. |
| CSV ↔ JSON; CSV ↔ TSV | Recast's local data conversion | CSV uses its first row as headers and retains cell values as text. JSON-to-CSV needs a top-level list of rows; columns may be reordered. |
| Markdown / EPUB and further document routes | Detected Pandoc; some routes need other tools | A listed extension is not a promise of DRM removal, exact book layout or a ready PDF toolchain. |
| SVG → PNG / PDF | Detected rsvg-convert, or an applicable image tool | Inspect size, fonts and external image references. |
Native format families
Without extra tools, audio inputs listed by the native backend are MP3, M4A, AAC, WAV, AIFF and CAF; audio outputs are M4A, WAV, AIFF and CAF. Native video routes use MOV and MP4. Available raster-image routes are determined by the readers and writers on your macOS version.
The data backend connects JSON, property lists, YAML, XML, CSV and TSV. Its compact YAML/XML handling is intended for supported data structures, not every feature of those specifications. Test nesting, empty values, quoted fields and your destination application's expected schema.
Extra tools change the available targets
The Direct edition detects FFmpeg, rsvg-convert, Pandoc, ImageMagick and LibreOffice when they are installed in supported locations. Availability and codec support depend on the tool and its build. The app's capabilities display and offered targets are the final check for your Mac.
A supported route can use intermediate formats, so inspect the result rather than assuming a direct, lossless conversion. Keep originals in a separate folder. Recast does not remove encryption or promise identical document formatting.
Try one representative file before a batch
- Keep the original and choose a separate output folder.
- Add a typical input, choose a target offered for that file, and check any required tool.
- Open the result in its destination app. Inspect content, metadata and playback or formatting.
- Run the rest only after the sample meets your requirements. Review failures individually.
This reference describes the conversion implementation reviewed on 30 September 2026. It is not a test of every file, codec or shipping installer. If the pair is essential, ask about your input, target and macOS version before buying.
Choose your next step
Convert an occasional HEIC image with Preview, follow the output-review checklist, or see Recast screenshots and Mac requirements.
For recurring local batches and Shortcuts workflows: Buy Recast — $10 once. Complete website edition; no recurring app subscription.