Aiming at the shortcomings of the transformation algorithm from ladder diagram to instruction list in the current programmable logic controller(PLC) editing software, this paper presents an algorithm to realize the transformation from PLC ladder diagram to instruction list based on multi-tree. Through the analysis and research of ladder diagram, shows the advantages and disadvantages of the ladder diagram and instruction list in practical application. The multi-tree data structure is created following the scanning principle that from left to right, from top to bottom. And the multi-tree is used to reflect the logical relationship between the diagrams. Then get the instruction list by post-traversing the multi-tree.This algorithm has higher efficiency when dealing with the ladder diagram which has multiple series-parallel structures. And it is also suitable for the stack instruction, which makes the algorithm more versatile.