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Converting documents from Word to HTML


One of the difficulties in creating web pages is converting your Word document to well structured html pages without a lot of additional work. HTML pages created by using the save as html facility offered by Word, for example, require a lot of additional work to make them ready for use. Also, this method does not create any form of navigation for large documents.

There are several software programs which convert Word documents to HTML and create a hyperlinked table of contents at the same time — HTML Transit and Logictran HTML Express. These programs may include the following features:

  • Creation of an HTML document with the navigation on the left hand side based on the headings in the Word document — these can be expanded or collapsed by the user based on heading levels. See a sample chapter of the Independent Social Security Handbook for an example.
  • Styles in Word are used to create particular features in HTML. For example, heading styles are used to create the side bar navigation, headers and footers can be used for information such as last updated, bullet and numbered lists are converted to the equivalent in html, internal links and web addresses will create links automatically. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A WELL MARKED UP WORD DOCUMENT. This includes appropriate use of heading styles. The better the use of styles in Word the better the final result will be.
  • The look and feel of the resulting product is customisable e.g. colour, Banner headings, look of bullet lists, font etc (though these all link to a style which has been marked up in Word). The look and feel can also be altered using style sheets.
  • Back and forward arrows are automatically created.
  • Images are best kept as separate files which are linked to in Word — this is then translated across to the web document.
  • Complex tables e.g. Excel spreadsheets, may be best done as images in the Word document. (If you use the Edit–paste special command in Excel the image will be inserted as .GIF or .JPG format in Word)
  • The system can be customised to insert metadata using the Word properties function
  • There is no search facility — the document will link to a search engine already on a site.

Costs and Suppliers

Please note: The Foundation does not recommend any particular software or suppliers of services. Organisations should carry out their own research to check the quality and cost of software and services.

Logictran

Approximately US$70

HTML Transit

There are two options available if you want to use HTML Transit — to buy the software or to pay a bureau service to mark up your documents

  1. Buy HTML Transit. Approximately $10,000 plus ongoing licence fees, training and customisation costs (estimate $1,760–2,640)
  2. Pay a bureau service to have Word documents marked up on a document by document basis. Costs vary depending upon the company and the amount of additional work that must be carried out on the Word document — estimate $4–10 per page.
HTML Transit bureau services
  • The Regional Institute Ltd, Roger Johnson
    P 61-2-4369-6006, M 0409 981781, rjohnson@regional.org.au,
    Provides a conversion service. Used by Welfare Rights to publish an online version of the Independent Social Security Manual.
  • Systemic Solutions- Ian McCrabb, 92337588.
    Sell HTML transit and plus provide training and conversion services. Used by CCH.
  • DTW Designs
    Document conversion service

This information is based on research carried out during 2004. Every attempt has been made to ensure that it is accurate. The Foundation cannot, however, guarantee the accuracy of this information. If you are aware of any inaccuracies in this document please contact Sue Scott at the Law and Justice Foundation.

Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
July 2004



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