Sams Teach Yourself StarOffice® 5 for Linux in 24 Hours

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Hour 5: Importing and Exporting StarOffice Documents

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Reviewing Imported and Exported Documents

Any time you move a document between word processors that use different formats--for example, reading a Word file into StarOffice--check the document to see how well the conversion worked.

Although we've had good luck with the Word filter in StarOffice (which is recommended for most uses in this hour), you might have problems with some features.

Table 5.1 shows the key import and export filters available in StarOffice, and how you can use them.

Table 5.1  Key Import and Export Filters in StarOffice

Format

Comments

HTML

Strong filter in StarOffice, but useful mostly for Internet/Web posting and sharing between systems without other word processors (difficult to edit exported documents).

RTF

A good choice for word processors and text processing systems that don't support Word format.

Word 6.0/95

The preferred choice for exchanging files with anyone who can read Word format.

Word 97

A strong filter in StarOffice, but best to use only for export when you know the recipient has Word 97 because Word 95 can't read Word 97 files.

Plaintext

Useful for exporting to email systems without HTML capability, or for other text file needs (such as configuration files).

StarOffice

StarOffice formats can only be read by StarOffice; use other formats when you need to exchange files with users who don't have StarOffice.


Tip - In all word processors, some conversion filters work better than others. Importing one type of file might work well, but importing another type might leave a document full of errors.


Table 5.2 lists some things that you can check to see how converted documents have fared, as well as some problems you might encounter after importing and exporting files.

Table 5.2  Some Items to Check After Importing a Document

Item to check

Potential problems

Total number of pages

Small changes in fonts or line spacing can make a document longer or shorter.

Page numbers, footnotes, headers, and footers

These items outside the text margins might overlap or be in different positions. Also check the font used.

Font

A different default font might be substituted.

Graphics

Different graphics formats can be supported in the new word processor, making some graphics gray boxes. Positioning of graphics might also be off.

Columns

Alignment, gutter, and text flow of columns might not be correct.

Tables

Spacing of cells (width/height), shading, or special fonts might not have been applied.

Document properties

Document meta-information, such as author and date created, might not be imported even though the new word processor has those features.

Special markers

Markers for things such as index and table of contents might be inserted as normal text instead of hidden, they might not generate as hidden markers. If they are the correct index or other list.

Macros and templates

Documents that rely on a template or macro to display properly won't work in the new word processor. You'll have to research how to imitate or develop the necessary substitute formatting.


Sams Teach Yourself StarOffice® 5 for Linux in 24 Hours

ContentsIndex

Hour 5: Importing and Exporting StarOffice Documents

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