Convert documents

Conversion helps you share documents in a workspace when not all members can use the same programs to edit documents. A conversion converts the given file format of a document into another file format that you or your partners can read and edit better than the source format. The original document remains unchanged.

You can additionally encode a converted document - usually with the aim of reducing the size of the document to save storage space and transmission time. When you encode documents, you need appropriate decoding programs on your local computer to make encoded documents readable again. Make sure that all members of your workspace have appropriate programs installed on their local machines and have configured their web browsers to launch these programs when the browser encounters the file type of an encoded document.

To convert a document, proceed as follows:

•      Select  Send to New Format from the context menu of the corresponding document.

•      The 'Convert' form contains a list of formats to which BSCW may convert your document. Arrows in this list indicate the path of conversion: e.g., if an arrow points from format A to format B, your document will first be converted to format A when converted to format B, and then to format B. This list indicates the more important types of possible information loss during conversion to the respective format.

•      Enter the name of the converted document, select the target format and/or the type of encoding/compression to be applied, and confirm your selection with [OK].

•      BSCW places the converted document on your clipboard from where you can paste it at the appropriate place and displays a form that lets you download the document immediately and that also summarizes the loss of information during the conversion.