RoboHelp 8 HTML import of Word file does not create topics

[L_Salzman]

I imported a large Word file (350+ pages, 4Mb) into RoboHelp 8 HTML (8.0208).

In the status bar at the bottom of the screen, it said "Converting filename.doc..." with a progress bar and then (way too fast for a large file) it said "Ready".

RoboHelp created the project files (.xpj, empty .hhc, etc.) and NO topics.

I tried several times, with and without conversion settings.  I tried opening an empty project first and then importing the file, but no luck.

The original file had a few tracked changes and footers which I removed.

I tried copying the file and deleting all but one heading and paragraph. 

Nothing helped.

A friend with RoboHTML 2002 was able to convert it with no problem.

By the way, when I converted the file to.rtf, I was able to import it and compile it.  But this is not the optimal way to do it.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you,

Leeba Salzman

[Captiv8r]

Hi there

When you import using version 8, you need to open the conversion settings dialog and enable "Pagination" for the Heading level at which you wish to break into topics.

Cheers... Rick

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[L_Salzman]

Thanks, I did that. But it didn't help.

It's not that I got one big topic- I didn't get ANY topics.

There is obviously something in the Word file that Robohelp doesn't like.

[Captiv8r]

Hi there

So sorry. My bad. Upon re-reading what I replied to I see that. I really should have read more carefully. Then again, I'm fighting the beginnings of a head cold today. ICK!

What if you take an approach I've seen my dear friend Peter suggest from time to time. Make a copy of that Word document. Slice off the bottom half and try importing the first half. If that works, you know the issue is in the bottom half. If not, repeat the process and try the other half. Work that way until you either get it all imported or until you isolate the problem area.

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day! Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training SorcerStone Blog RoboHelp eBooks

[L_Salzman]

Hi,

I save the RTF back to a Doc and that worked. Also, I selected the contents of the doc and copy/pasted it to a clean Word doc. That convert worked too.

Thanks for all your help.

[L_Salzman]

I isolated the first heading and paragraph and it failed. Therefore I assume that the problem is in some format in the document.

[Peter Grainge]

Have you tried saving that RTF back as a Word document and importing again?

Create a new project for testing and try selecting all the content of the document (CTRL A) and applying Normal style, then just apply a Heading 1 at the beginning. I realise it will not be the content you want but the sole objective is to see if that imports.

The other approach is to create two copies of the document and trash different halves. Does one then import and one fail? If yes, repeat the process with the failing half.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[L_Salzman]

The half/half approach won't work if I isolated just the one heading/paragraph and that didn't work.

I will try the RTF ->Word approach. That sounds promising, since I think the problem is some format or setting in the Word file itself.

Thanks

[L_Salzman]

OK, saving the RTF back worked. Also, I selected the contents of the doc and copy/pasted it to a clean Word doc. That convert worked too.

Thanks for all your help.