[texhax] Converting LaTeX files into MS Word

[William Adams]

On Nov 21, 2006, at 7:03 AM, peralta wrote:

> I am about to begin writing a book for a publisher. The publisher  
> says they
> prefer to receive the text via MS Word files. I will have many  
> equations, and
> was considering using LaTeX, which I have downloaded and explored.  
> From the
> FAQs, I believe there is no conversion program available that can  
> convert
> complicated documents created on LaTeX into MS Word. Is that  
> correct? If so, I
> will not use LaTeX.

Well, there's the commercial program tex2word, though the free  
latex2rtf is quite good.

That said, getting equations from anything into a page layout program  
can be quite arduous, and it's best to take this into consideration  
up-front.

Using LaTeX, and then getting a custom format to directly typeset the  
book is the best option, especially if there's a tight schedule.

More typical methods involve re-setting _all_ of the equations using  
an XTension or plug-in in Quark XPress or InDesign, which requires  
checking _all_ of the equations, character-for-character.

Another option would be to use MathType equations in Word and then  
compose the book on a Windows system which also has that installed  
--- I believe the OLE objects will be preserved, but this only works  
if the equations need not be coloured.

William

-- 
William Adams
senior graphic designer
Fry Communications



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