diff --git a/manual/format_files_for_userguide.py b/manual/format_files_for_userguide.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..efdaefe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/manual/format_files_for_userguide.py
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+
+import os
+
+def create_texlist(path_to_reader: str,
+                   path_to_writer: str,
+                   list_type: str) -> None:
+    readerpath = path_to_reader
+    writerpath = path_to_writer
+    try:
+        f = open(readerpath,'r')
+    except OSError:
+        raise RuntimeError(f'Failed to open file {readerpath}.')
+    else:
+        f.close()
+
+    # remove old file
+    if os.path.exists(writerpath):
+        os.remove(writerpath)
+    with open(readerpath,'r') as reader, open(writerpath,'w') as writer:
+        writer.write('\\begin{'+f'{list_type}'+'}\n')
+        wholefile = reader.read()
+        # clean out latex commands
+        wholefile = wholefile.replace(' \\',' {\\textbackslash}')
+        sentences = wholefile.split('- ')
+        for sentence in sentences:
+            if sentence != '':
+                # writer.write('\n')
+                writer.write(f'    \item {sentence}')
+
+        writer.write('\end{'+f'{list_type}'+'}')
+
+def main():
+    kb_path = '../KNOWN_BUGS'
+    kb_tex_path = 'known_bugs.tex'
+
+    create_texlist(path_to_reader=kb_path,
+                   path_to_writer=kb_tex_path,
+                   list_type='enumerate')
+
+if __name__== "__main__":
+   main()