I would appreciate any help from experienced users for converting MS Word documents to PDF & HTML format.
Scenario
I am writing a book using MS Word (2003) which is subdivided into a master document and many subdocuments. The master document is strictly as a Table Of Contents with hyperlinks to subdocuments (subdocuments link back to the master). I do not use Word’s headings and styles for hyperlink, I use bookmarks that are hyperlinked to them. This allows me to more easily manage styles.
Objective: Convert to PDF and Html
Converting all to PDF & Html format all the while retaining their initial structure (the master TOC pointing to subdocuments and the subdocuments linking back to the master TOC.
Structure:
I make extensive use of hyperlinks as:
(1) All bookmarks have a hyperlink.
(2) The master TOC has but hyperlinks to the sub-documents.
(3) Hyperlinks in my endnotes to the web.
(4) Hyperlinks within the document – linking an item to another within the document.
(4) Links to websites.
Also use word art, font effects (not text effects), various fonts (True Type), tables (no border displayed), digital photos (jpeg), headers and footers. However I DO NOT use Word's “Headings and Style” feature that I consider has too many constraints.
I guess by now you get the idea – lots to consider.
Converting to PDF & Html
Will strictly cover PDF at this time as the conversion to Html is a whole new ball game.
I downloaded at least a dozen converters that state they easily convert Word to PDF & Html (plus numerous other features such as document assembly, security, converting into other formats such as TIFF, jpeg, etc., etc.).
Problems
All have one key problem. They define the use of hyperlinks by using Word’s “Heading and Styles” construct. In addition, as I will be linking to a PDF subdocument I must insure that my hyperlinks carry the “pdf” and not the “doc” file extension (not a major problem as I change it at the time I create the hyperlink).
I create my own header and footers – if I select a watermark it will display over my footer and you cannot read the footer or the watermark. Finally, they ignore “font effect” – such as “engrave” in my footer (excellent result in Word). If I use a hyperlink attached to an image (jpeg format) it will ignore the hyperlink.
Numerous other problems exist but I can usually find an alternative, the watermark feature is an example.
However, the key problem is hyper linking. Some work some do not but not one software package can insure that all hyperlinks in a document remain at the time the PDF and Html produced.
Thanks to all who will take time to read and makes suggestions.
If you know of a freeware or shareware solution it would be great.
Larry