Store Office Files for Long Term Archiving and Make Them Durably Available

Office Conversion

What is Office Conversion from SEAL Systems?

Companies frequently encounter problems with files that are created in MS Office or Open Office applications and are to be stored unchanged for long periods of time. These files are version- and operating system-dependent and would therefore have to be reconverted every time the Office version changes.

For example, in companies that work with CAD software, it is quite normal that the data stock is also taken into account during a version update. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case in the office environment. Instead, people blindly trust that the old Word file will still work with the new Word software years later.

What Problems Occur when Changing Office Versions?

Opening such old files is usually not a problem, but the appearance often differs in details from the original version. Here there are problems with page breaks, unnoticed changed fonts, swapped images or disappeared diagram types.

This is usually not a problem with short-term documents. But what if we are talking about documents that concern and prove your business relationships and processes? For such documents, you should definitely think about a format that is intended for long-term use and archiving: PDF/A!

This is where the Office conversion from SEAL Systems comes in. It converts your MS Office and Open Office documents into formats such as PDF, PDF/A or even TIFF, JPEG previews and XPS (from 2007).

Which Office Files Can Be Processed?

The application converter interprets Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Project files from Microsoft Office Suite.

In addition, Writer, Calc and Impress files from the Apache OpenOffice Suite can be converted.

ProgramFile Formats
MS Excelxls, xlt, xlsm, xltx
MS Powerpointppt, pot, pptx, pptm, potx, potm, pps, ppsx, ppsm
MS Worddoc, dot, docx, docm, dotx, dotm
MS Outlookmsg, pst
MS Projectmpv, mpp
MS Visiovsd
OpenOffice
OpenDocument
odt, ods, odp, odg, odc, odf, odi, odm

Would you like to convert Outlook files?

You can find all information about Outlook file conversion on our “Email archiving” page.

Which File Formats Can the Application Converter Generate?

The focus is on the long-term format PDF/A. If required, however, many other long-term, archive and neutral formats such as PDF, TIFF or JPEG can also be generated.

FAQ on Office Conversion

How Do These Conversions Work Exactly?

The generation of the so-called neutral files is done via an optimal intermediate format, which is generated by printing or export. In the case of creation by printing, a separate device-neutral PostScript driver is used. For export, the included PDF plugin from Microsoft is used. However, with the plugin we export only PDF. To be on the safe side, we make the PDF/A with proved applications developed by SEAL Systems.

And the Result Is then also Correct?

We pay great attention to the faithful output! The generated neutral file corresponds exactly to the printed version in appearance. All output files are checked again according to the desired file standard (TIFF V6, PDF ISO 32,000, PDF/A ISO 19005, JPEG ISO 10918) before output.

Our Office Files Contain Macros that Need to be Executed. Is that also Possible?

That is also possible! Our application converters can be configured in a variety of ways. They offer the following benefits:

  • Processing of files from different Office versions
  • Intelligent, adjustable procedure for interactive elements such as message boxes, macros, pop-up windows, etc.
  • Transfer of metadata from application files
  • Updating of field functions
  • Recognition and processing of protected files
  • Printing of change information / tracking
  • Conversion of sections, page ranges, individual tables
  • Execution of customer-specific macros before conversion (for example, for filling customer-specific fields)

What Is SEAL Systems Able to Convert?

As a specialist in the conversion of documents and files, we not only convert Office documents, but also offer a wide range of conversion solutions – from CAD conversion processes to the automatic compilation of technical documentation and manuals.

Intrigued?

Request further information without obligation!