SUMMARY - Error on importing Word file to Frame+SGML

[RBoyce@xxxxxxxxx]

Here's a summary of the advice I received from the list...
The Problem:

> I am using FrameMaker 5.56 on a PC and I'm importing a Word 97 file (copy
> into document). This is our standard procedure, and we use a customized
> Word template optimized for this.
>
> However, I have a couple files that are giving me a problem. As the
> progress bar approaches 50% or so, it stops, and then I get this error
> message:
>   The filter encountered an error and could not complete the translation.
>
> I've been trying to figure out what the problem is with the Word files.
> Alas, these files have a checkered past, and none of my usual Word
> troubleshooting techniques has resolved the problem. They *seem* properly
> styled and free of weird stuff. Since the files look ok, I don't know
what
> needs fixing! The Frame filter documentation hasn't given me any leads.
> Does anyone know what kinds of things cause the Word 97 import filter to
> choke?


Possible problem areas in the Word file:

* graphics

* header/footer anomalies, specifically variables and paragraph indent
markers outside the column boundaries

* tables (especially if they're large)

* TOC



Suggestions for fixing the Word doc:

* remove headers and footers

* remove TOC

* strip out shading, unmerge cells, etc. from the tables

* select entire Word doc except last paragraph mark, copy into a new Word
doc



Word import filter workaround - use the Japanese RTF import filter instead:

First, delete all bullets and autonumbering or they will get converted to
text. Word has a command to do this - find it in Word by selecting
Tools>Customize, select All Commands: it's the RemoveBulletNumbers command.
To use the command, set up a button or key combination.

Second, save the Word doc as RTF.

Third, import the file into Frame and select the "RTF Japanese" filter
option.



Thanks very much to those who responded! In my specific situation, the
Japanese RTF filter worked, but the resulting Frame file was different
enough to throw off a custom plugin. I had to do a bit of tweaking to the
tables with table titles. But never mind that small gripe, I am grateful;
your advice enabled me to get my document into Frame and keep working.

many thanks,

Rachel Boyce
Information Design Specialist, Lead
Sybex, Inc.



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