Importing text from a file

Importing text from a word-processor file is the traditional way to create text content for Desktop Publishing layouts (but you can also create a story using WritePlus). If you use your current word processor to create the text file for your publication, you can import any number of files into one publication. Each file becomes a story consisting of a self-contained section of text like a single article in a newspaper, which resides in one or more linked text frames.

As well as the WritePlus format (.stt), a range of popular word processing and text formats can be imported, including:

ANSI text

.txt

Microsoft Word 2007/2010

.docx/.dotx

Microsoft Word 2000/2003

.doc/.dot

MS Works

.wps

Open Office text

.odt

Rich Text Format

.rtf

Wordperfect

.wpd

Write

.wri

For Microsoft Word formats created in any Windows operating system you don’t need to have Microsoft Word installed locally. This means you can reuse third-party text content in PagePlus without the supporting application.

  • PagePlus will preserve the formatting of imported word-processor text. However, if you’re using your word processor to create text specifically for PagePlus, you’ll save time by typing as text only, and applying formatting later in PagePlus.

Other methods exist to import textual content—insert text from a PDF file using PDF File… from the Insert menu. Alternatively, insert a PagePlus file using PagePlus File… again from the Insert menu. For now, we’ll concentrate on importing text from a text file (typically from a word processor).

To import text from a file:

  1. (Optional) If using an existing empty text frame, select the frame. If inserting text into a populated text frame, click for an insertion point (or select a portion of text to be replaced).

  2. Choose Text File… from the Insert menu, or right-click an existing frame and choose Text File….

  3. From the Open dialog, locate and select the file to import.

  4. Check the Retain Format box to retain the source file’s formatting styles. Uncheck the box to discard this information. In either case, PagePlus will preserve basic character properties like italic, bold, and underline, and paragraph properties like alignment (left, center, right).

  5. Check the Ignore line wrapping box to ignore returns in the source text—that is, only if the file has been saved with a carriage return at the end of every line, and you want to strip off these extra returns. Otherwise, leave the box unchecked.

  6. Click Open.

  7. The text will be imported into the pre-selected text object or a new text frame. If all of the imported text cannot fit into the active text frame you’ll be prompted via dialog. You can either create extra frames to accommodate overflow text (click Yes) or just overflow the text into a hidden overflow area (click No).

  • Paragraph styles will be imported; if any style names clash on import, the PagePlus publication style’s formatting will be applied to imported text of that style. It’s recommended to check all style formatting carefully after import!

  • If your imported text is in a language for which PagePlus has no appropriate dictionary then the language name is indicated in the Character tab with a “?” prefix (e.g., ? Greek).

Choosing text import convertors

So far the assumption is that you’ll be happy with appearance and formatting of imported text. However, if results aren’t as good as expected you can select your own convertor manually and re-attempt the text import. You may find that formatting is truer to the original text document.

Original application

Convertor name and recommended priority for use

WritePlus, Microsoft Word 2007/2010, Rich Text Format, and ANSI text

Native import

Microsoft Word 2002(XP)/2003

Doc2x Convertor
Microsoft Word1

Microsoft Word 2000 or earlier

Doc2x Convertor
Microsoft Word1
Standard Convertors2

MS Works, Wordperfect

Microsoft Word1

Write

Microsoft Word1
Standard Convertors2

Open Office

ODF Convertor

1Only available if Word is installed.
2Up to Microsoft Word 2000 only.

When using Doc2x Convertor or ODF Convertors, it’s also worth noting that PagePlus doesn’t support every feature. So you know what to expect, and whether it’s worth trying a different convertor, it’s worth reviewing the following list of unsupported features.

  • Headers and footers

  • Cross references

  • Table of Contents

  • Indexing

  • Revision data (tracked changes)

  • Section breaks

  • ShapeArt

In addition, Microsoft Word’s local list formatting system is not supported, although list paragraph styles are. As a workaround, reformat lists in PagePlus.

Once these limitations and expectations are understood, you can experiment with different convertors if needed.

To select an alternative text import convertor:

  1. Choose Options… from the Tools menu.

  2. From Text>Text Import, select the word processor Format from the list.

  3. Select a different convertor from the Convertor drop-down list.

If results are still poor, go back to your word processor and save your text file in a format such as Rich Text Format or plain text.

Importing text from a file