Quark Forums

I've posted about this before, and there was no resolution, but I'm hoping maybe somebody now knows. Here's the old post: http://forums.quark.com/p/21086/84743.aspx#84743

I'm running an intel iMac 10.5.6, Quark 8, Word 2008. I want to import Word files into a Quark file, keeping the Word styles (italic, roman, etc.), ignore the Word stylesheets (Normal, Indent, etc.) in favor of the Quark Xpress tags that have been put into the Word document.

Previously, in Word 2004, I could run a third-party macro called Quark Converter (editorium.com) that would take italic text, e.g., and convert it to toggle formatting (angle bracket I angle bracket for italic), etc. Then I could save the Word file as a txt file (which would strip out the Word stylesheets), and import the file into Quark. The Xpress tags would format the file, and the italics, etc., would be retained.

Word 2008 does not support third party macros. Since my last post on this subject I've been transferring files to my old G4 and running Quark Converter, then moving the files back to the new iMac. Now the G4 has died and now I'm stuck. Furthermore, there is some conflict between Word 2004 and Intel macs; I have been unable to load Word 2004 onto my iMac. (Word 2004 thinks all my fonts are correct; many others have had this problem, others have not. I've tried all the recommended fixes, nothing's worked.)

It seems like it should be the most elemental thing in the world. I mean, when I started using Quark in 1993 or so, it was called Quark Xpress. The big feature was the Xpress tags. Now, I can't import a Word file and have my Xpress tags take effect without losing all the italics, bold, etc. that I need. I do journal work. I need the italics for all the citations; I can't do those by hand. If I import the file retaining stylesheets (which allows the italics and bold in), the Word stylesheets override the Xpress tags. I'm left with a file that includes @text: etc at the beginning of each paragraph. It's a nightmare.

Help! Anybody!

Sadly you're not alone. We have this problem all of the time and there's no cure other than reformat the document once imported. Yes, it would be brilliant to import an MS Word file and for it to appear as it was in Word but it ain't gonna happen. I don't actually feel this is a Quark issue because it's also driven us around the bend. You should see the files we receive from authors particularly those with a .docx extension. Try taking Valium or Prozac or two or three large Whiskies then it does get easier. On a serious note, however, I do find it essential to print off the Word document in a hard copy format to at least see where you're heading otherwise you're in deep water. I think the issue is with Microsoft and not Quark as the goal posts seemed to be constantly moving with Word applications. GIve up worrying and just get on with it! Sadly.