By Stilo Corporation (July 24, 2023)

 

Converting Pharma content in Microsoft Word to DITA XML using conversion software can streamline the process and help ensure accuracy. Follow these 8 steps to accomplish the conversion:

  1. Choose the Conversion Software: Select a reliable and reputable DITA conversion software (e.g. Migrate by Stilo) that supports importing Word documents and exporting to DITA XML. Tools providing automation will yield more consistent results.
  2. Acquire the Conversion Software: Most DITA software is accessible as a SaaS service. Find a reliable vendor and obtain your user credentials.
  3. Prepare the Word Document: Clean up the Word document by ensuring consistent formatting, styles, and indentation. Remove any unnecessary elements that might not translate well into DITA XML.
  4. Save the Word Document as a Compatible Format: Most DITA conversion software supports DOCX (Microsoft Word format). Save your cleaned-up Word document in the compatible format.
  5. Import the Word Document into the Conversion Software: Open the conversion software and import the Word document you saved in the previous step. The software should recognize the document’s structure and content.
  6. Configure Conversion Settings: Depending on the capabilities of the conversion software, you may have options to configure the conversion settings. These settings might include specifying DITA elements, handling images and links, and adjusting the output structure.
  7. Initiate the Conversion: Start the conversion process using the configured settings. The software will analyze the Word document and transform it into DITA XML according to your chosen options.
  8. Review and Fine-Tune the Converted DITA XML: After the conversion is complete, review the resulting DITA XML content. Check for any formatting or structural issues that might need manual adjustments. Ensure that the DITA elements are appropriately mapped, and the content is well-organized.

Make any necessary fine-tuning and edits within the conversion software to improve the quality of the DITA XML output.

Note that the efficiency and accuracy of the conversion heavily depend on the chosen software and the initial quality of the Word document. Always review the converted DITA XML thoroughly and perform any manual adjustments to achieve the desired results.

 

About Stilo Corporation
Stilo develops tools to help organizations automate the conversion of content to XML and build XML content processing components integral to enterprise-level publishing solutions. Operating from Canada, Stilo supports commercial publishers, technology companies and government agencies around the world in their pursuit of structured content. For more information, visit https://www.stilo.com/about.