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POST
/
v1
/
mathcad
/
convert
Convert Legacy Files
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.stru.ai/v1/mathcad/convert \
  --header 'Authorization: <authorization>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
  "source_file": "<string>",
  "options": {},
  "preserve_formatting": true,
  "output_format": "<string>"
}'
{
  "422": {},
  "500": {}
}

​
Overview

Convert legacy Mathcad 15 (.xmcd) files to the modern Mathcad Prime (.mcdx) format. This one-way conversion allows you to modernize your calculation library and use older files with the document generation API.
One-way conversion: .xmcd → .mcdx only. Binary .mcd files (Mathcad 14 and earlier) are not supported.
Asynchronous Operation: Returns immediately with a job ID. Poll for the converted file download URL.

​
Authentication

​
Authorization
string
required
Bearer token (API key from app.stru.ai)

​
Request Body

​
source_file
string
required
Base64-encoded .xmcd file content
"source_file": "UEsDBBQAAAAIAOiG..."
​
options
object
Conversion options (optional)
"options": {
  "preserve_formatting": true,
  "output_format": "mcdx"
}

​
Conversion Options

​
preserve_formatting
boolean
default:"true"
Attempt to preserve original layout and formattingNote: Some complex formatting may be simplified
​
output_format
string
default:"mcdx"
Output format: "mcdx" or "pdf"Generate either a .mcdx file or directly convert to PDF

​
Example Request

# Encode the legacy file
FILE_B64=$(base64 -i legacy-calc.xmcd)

curl -X POST https://api.stru.ai/v1/mathcad/convert \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_live_abc123..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d "{
    \"source_file\": \"$FILE_B64\",
    \"options\": {
      \"preserve_formatting\": true,
      \"output_format\": \"mcdx\"
    }
  }"

​
Example Response

{
  "job_id": "job_conv_abc123",
  "status": "completed",
  "created_at": "2025-10-17T10:30:00Z",
  "completed_at": "2025-10-17T10:30:18.456Z",
  "results": {
    "file_url": "https://storage.stru.ai/temp/converted.mcdx?signature=...",
    "file_type": "mcdx",
    "expires_at": "2025-10-18T10:30:18.456Z",
    "conversion_notes": [
      "Some complex formatting simplified",
      "Custom font replaced with default",
      "One embedded image could not be converted"
    ]
  }
}

​
Conversion Notes

✅ Fully supported:
  • Variables and constants
  • Standard mathematical expressions
  • Text regions and annotations
  • Common functions (sin, cos, sqrt, etc.)
  • Plots and simple charts
  • Most formatting (bold, italic, colors)
⚠️ May be simplified:
  • Complex custom formatting
  • Non-standard fonts (converted to default)
  • Custom region positioning
  • Some advanced plot configurations
  • Certain custom units
❌ Not supported:
  • OLE embedded objects
  • Some third-party extensions
  • Binary .mcd files (Mathcad 14 and earlier)
  • Scripted components
  • Some legacy add-ins

​
Conversion Workflow

1

Prepare Legacy Files

Ensure files are .xmcd format (Mathcad 15). If you have .mcd files, open in Mathcad 15 and save as .xmcd first.
2

Submit Conversion Job

Encode and submit the .xmcd file with desired options.
3

Review Conversion Notes

Check the conversion_notes array for any warnings or issues encountered during conversion.
4

Download and Verify

Download the converted .mcdx file and open in Mathcad Prime to verify the conversion quality.
5

Manual Adjustments (if needed)

Make any necessary manual adjustments in Mathcad Prime for elements that didn’t convert perfectly.

​
Use Cases

Convert your entire library of Mathcad 15 calculations to modern .mcdx format for use with current software and the API.
# Batch convert all legacy calculations
for xmcd_file in legacy_library:
    convert_to_mcdx(xmcd_file)
Convert legacy calculations to .mcdx so they can be used with the Mathcad API for automated workflows.
# Convert, then use with API
mcdx_file = convert_xmcd(legacy_file)
structure = read_document(mcdx_file)
# Now use in automated pipeline
Convert old calculations to PDF for archival or distribution to clients who don’t have Mathcad.
convert_xmcd(legacy_file, output_format="pdf")

​
Best Practices

Test with a sample first - Before batch converting, test with one representative file to see conversion quality
Review conversion notes - Always check the conversion_notes array for warnings
Verify critical calculations - Manually verify that key formulas and results are preserved correctly
Keep originals - Always keep the original .xmcd files as backups
For Mathcad 14 (.mcd) files: Open in Mathcad 15, save as .xmcd, then use this conversion endpoint to get to .mcdx.
Complex documents: Documents with extensive custom formatting, embedded objects, or third-party extensions may require manual post-conversion adjustments.

​
Error Responses

​
422
Unprocessable Entity
File format not supported or corrupt
{
  "error": {
    "code": "UNSUPPORTED_FORMAT",
    "message": "File is not a valid .xmcd format"
  }
}
​
500
Conversion Failed
Conversion encountered an error
{
  "error": {
    "code": "CONVERSION_FAILED",
    "message": "Unable to parse legacy file structure",
    "details": {
      "reason": "Corrupt file or unsupported Mathcad version"
    }
  }
}

​
Next Steps

After conversion:
  1. Download the converted .mcdx file
  2. Open in Mathcad Prime to verify
  3. Make manual adjustments if needed
  4. Use with the Mathcad API for automation