IPF Editor 2.x Importing Files Q&A


Importing WordPerfect Files

See this section for answers to questions about importing WordPerfect files.


What versions of WordPerfect can be imported?

The IPF Editor will import WordPerfect 5.1 or 5.2. Versions 6.X and later are not yet supported.

What must be done to a WordPerfect file for it to be imported?

Since IPF relies on separate panels the WordPerfect import will generate a new panel every time it sees a table of contents mark. You must tag each section of your document that you want to use as a panel title with a table of contents marking.

This does not mean that you need a table of contents. What is required is that the topic title that you want for a panel title be selected (F11, block), then marked using WordPerfect's "MARK, TOC, LEVEL.." commands. Panel titles can't exceed about 90 characters, so be selective.




Importing Describe Files

See this sections for answers to questions about importing Describe files.


Why do some chapter titles get split in two?

When the import process detects a table of contents style (such as a "CHAPHEAD" style) it will extract all text up to the next style or the next chapter heading marking. Typically when a panel title gets split into two panels it is because two markings were made to create the chapter heading.

Why do some graphics figures not show up in my IPF document?

Generally this is because the artwork files (only OS/2 and Windows 3.1 bitmaps, and OS/2 metafiles are supported) are not in the same directory as the exported Describe Tagged ASCII file. If this is the case simply rerun the import (clearing out the current file first) with the correct artwork in the proper directory.


Why do some tables not look the same as my original Describe document?

This is because the IPF tables and the Describe tables provide table support slightly differently. Generally, the biggest problem is in the widths of the tables in the IPF table. To fix this simply adjust the column widths (contained in the &colon.table. statement enclosed in single quotes) so that they more closely match what you expect to see.


Why do some panels have <evar> in them?

Some panels that are imported have markings that the IPF Editor Describe Import is unable to completely interpret. This can result in the <evar> tag appearing in the panel title. The only solution to this is to manually edit the panel title after it has been imported to remove the <evar> tag.


Why do some panels have a *EditTime in the first line after I've imported it?

Some panels that are imported from Describe Tagged ASCII files may end up with an &per.*EditTime=0 statement as the first line. Typically this is when an unsupported Describe tag is found in the panel's title or index entry. Try edit the panel's title to make sure it has no unsupported text and delete the "&per.EditTime=0" line from the Panel Editing window.



Importing RTF Files

See this section for answers about importing RTF files.


What is an RTF file?

RTF stands for Rich Text Format. It is a Microsoft standard for generated Windows help.


Where do I get an RTF file?

RTF files are available by exporting from many of the leading wordprocessors on the market today.