How to convert unstructured document into structured document

[deepspace9]

I have many unstructured documents. Is it possible to convert these documents into strcutured documents? I know that structured FM uses DITA which is different from unstrcutured document. This is client's requirement so I want to get community views on this.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Structured FM can use DITA, but doesn't have to - it's just one of many structured schemas

[Russ Ward]

Hi YaneshTyaqi,

Jeff is correct... DITA is a specific, standardized structure definition. You can structure according to DITA, or you can structure according to any other definition that you like. With respect to methods, there are many:

- The FrameMaker structure generator/conversion table process - This is built into FrameMaker and I think is generally the preferred method. You can structure without ever having to leave the FrameMaker environment. The process is described in the Structure Application Developers Guide:

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/FrameMaker/8.0/structapp_dev.pdf

- A third-party app like Mif2Go - I believe Mif2Go can convert straight from unstructured to DITA XML. This would give you XML files, not necessarily structured FM documents, but if you want DITA specifically and/or already have Mif2Go, this might be a good option.

- A MIF converter such as MIFML from Leximation - This app can convert a MIF file to XML. Another possible option to go from unstructured FM -> XML -> structured FM.

http://www.leximation.com/tools/mifml/

There are many additional techniques that may be employed, especially in addition to those mentioned above. It is never a turnkey process; rather, one that demands time and attention to detail. The length of time is directly proportional to your expertise in structured markup and related tools. It sounds like you are a beginner at this... I might suggest that you start early and begin some experimentations. Read up in that Structure Dev Guide... lots of good stuff there. You could also pay somebody, but then you won't learn very much. Given the importance of these technologies, I'd suggest any route that includes the maximum amount of learning.

Russ

[Edit] Mif2Go link:

http://www.omsys.com/dcl/mif2gopg.htm

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

In fact I just got an announcement of a series of Webinars about doing this very thing from Adobe (converting unstructured to structured):

June 14th - Unstructured To XML Workflow Series Part 1: Analyzing Your

Unstructured Document - Preprocess Steps

June 21st - Unstructured To XML Workflow Series Part 2: Creating A

FrameMaker Conversion Table - Part 1

June 28th - Unstructured To XML Workflow Series Part 3: Creating A

FrameMaker Conversion Table - Part 2

July 7th - Unstructured To XML Workflow Series Part 4: Element

Definition Document (EDD) - Home Grown or a Standard

July 14th - Unstructured To XML Workflow Series Part 5: Creating your

Structured Template from an Unstructured One

July 28th - Unstructured To XML Workflow Series Part 6: Structure

Applications and What Is Necessary and How To Create

August 2nd - Unstructured To XML Workflow Series Part 7: Save As XML,

Now What?

They will be found here:

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/event/index.cfm?event=list&loc=en_us&type=eseminar&product=TechnicalCommunicationSuite&interest=&audience=&monthyear=

[deepspace9]

Thanks Jeff and Russ. The link for the guide is really helpful. And also the information of upcoming seminars.

I think that it worth learning the stuff myself.

[AMCGracer]

Hi Jeff,

Your series looks like exactly what I need right now; however, the link is no longer available.

Is there any way you can share this information with me?

Thank you!

  --Amy Gracer

[Bob_Niland]

https://blogs.adobe.com/techcomm/2013/06/classic-7-part-aldous-series-on-unstructured-to-xml-webinar...

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Thanks, Error – I was scrambling to figure out where Adobe had put all of that ;>)

[AMCGracer]

Thanks so much! I look forward to reviewing!

[Mark Southee]

Yanesh,

I would approach this in 2 stages.

1. Understand how DITA works independently of FrameMaker first. I say this because DITA is not a straight forward 'out of the box' experience. This could be a good starting point -
   http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/2011/04/13/technical-book-review-practical-dita-a-nuts-a...
2. Understand how FrameMaker works with DITA. FrameMaker has it's own way of how you author DITA based content. You might want to look at tools such as DITA FMx - http://www.leximation.com/dita-fmx/, which claims to make DITA authoring easier with FrameMaker.

If you are initially just producing PDF from your DITA content, then FrameMaker is probably the best way of getting the results you want, as FrameMaker templates work the same with structured content, as they do with unstructured.

Good luck

Mark

[Guest]

Another resource:

http://tmaldous.com/2011/04/23/how-to-convert-an-unstructured-book-to-xml/