RTFtoHTML 3.0 Converts Word Processing Files into HTML

Suzana Lisanti

Do you have Microsoft Word documents that you'd like to convert to 
Web pages? A new release of an excellent shareware program can help you 
convert these documents automatically, one by one or a folder at a time. 
The program, RTFtoHTML 3.0, is being used at MIT to convert the 
Reports to the President and Dealing with Harassment.

At the simplest level, the process involves two steps: you first save 
the document from Word to Rich Text Format (RTF), and then use the 
conversion program to turn the RTF into HypertText Markup Language 
(HTML). Most word processors can export their documents in RTF format 
(look at the formats listed in your word processor's "Save as." dialog 
box).

If you do no more than these two steps, RTFtoHTML will make its best 
guess as to what constitutes a heading, subheading, and so on. The 
conversion works nicely with Word tables, converting them to HTML tables 
without manual coding. Any charts or graphics in your Word file will 
automatically be converted to GIF images and saved in the same folder 
as the document. RTFtoHTML will even create links to the images.

Single-Source Publishing
If you plan ahead, you can use RTFtoHTML as a tool for single-source 
publishing - using the same file for paper and on-screen versions. This 
capability is based on using the Styles feature in your word processor, 
and gives you a lot of control with very little investment of time. 
For example, you can customize Word's existing styles "heading 1" and 
"heading 2" to print in the exact font face and size you wish, and then 
use the same designations to specify the level of heading to be used on 
your Web pages.
 
Platforms and Purchase
RFTtoHTML 3.0 has been released for Macintosh, DOS/Windows, and 
selected UNIX platforms. The new version adds support for many HTML 
extensions that have been added since RTFtoHTML was first developed.
To get a copy of RTFtoHTML 3.0, go to the Web page

http://www.sunpack.com/RTF/latest/

and select the link for your platform.

RTFtoHTML 3.0 is shareware, unlike previous versions, which were free. 
If you try out RTFtoHTML 3.0 for 30 days and plan to continue using it, 
be sure to send in the $29 shareware fee. For details, see

http://www.sunpack.com/RTF/License.htm