How do I import or export a word processor document? #

With the ezodf extension, a text written in LibreOffice or OpenOffice can become content, and content can go back out as a document. Headings, paragraphs, lists, tables and images are taken over. An import is published at once, so check the document before you import it.

Who can do this #

Editors whose role has the policies ezodf/import and ezodf/export, plus the right to create content below the chosen item (for an import) or to edit the item (for a replacement).

Steps #

Import a document as a new item #

1. Save the document in OpenDocument format (.odt).
2. Open the tree menu of the folder where the new item belongs and choose OpenOffice.org > Import OpenOffice.
3. Choose the file and, if asked, the language under Create or update the translation in:.
4. Click Import document. The page says the document is imported and as which class. Open the new item and check it.

Replace an item's content with a document #

1. Open the tree menu of the item and choose OpenOffice.org > Replace OpenOffice.
2. Choose the file and the language, and click Import document. The document becomes a new published version of the item; the old content stays in its version history.

Export an item #

1. Open the tree menu of the item and choose OpenOffice.org > Export OpenOffice. Your browser downloads an .odt file.
2. Export Word and Export PDF work the same way on sites that run a document converter.

On sites with the website toolbar, the same functions are its Import, Replace and Export buttons.

Which class an import becomes #

A document becomes an Article by default: the file name, without extension, becomes the title and the whole text the body. To fill other fields, or to create another class, divide the document into named sections in the word processor (Insert > Section) and name each section after a field, for example title, intro and body. When the section names match all the fields your site lists for a class, the document becomes that class. Ask an administrator which classes and names your site accepts.

What can go wrong #

• "Filetype" error. Only .odt is accepted, unless the site runs a converter for Word (.doc) files. Save the document as .odt.
• Attention: an import publishes at once. It does not stop at a draft (unless an approval workflow holds it), and a replacement does not check whether someone has an open draft of the item. Prepare the document first, and tell colleagues who edit the item.
• Some fields stay empty. Imports fill text, rich text, date, date and time, image and matrix fields only. Fill in keywords, checkboxes and relations by hand.
• Formatting is lost. Fonts, colors and page layout are not taken over; the site's design decides the look.
• Images need alternative texts. Add them after the import.

Related pages #

• OpenDocument import and export, the settings
• How do I edit content from the website itself?
• User manual
• Free documentation: this page is free to copy, translate and improve under the GNU FDL 1.3.