Let’s take one, simple example of formatting: Margins. Margins are usually set for the entire document at the outset. With an 'aligned left-ragged right’ defined for the whole document format, and a set margin width of say 6.5 inches, each line of text is a different length, but all lines come as close to the right hand margin as possible without dividing a word. It’s a tidy look.
When the .pdf was converted to .docx, every single line had a different margin format set for it, based on where the line ended. When new text was entered, it retained the format of the line above it. The formatting had to be removed, line-by-line, for nearly 250 pages. It could not be done globally, one time. (The client said don’t bother, just rekey.)
When text was edited on this converted .docx, a blank page appeared where text used to be but was edited out. That blank page had hidden formatting that prevented it from being deleted and prevented the text on the forthcoming pages from filling it in. Nothing I did would get rid of it.
Equally simple, chapter headings have set formatting, separate from text. Their font and style can be different from the body of text under it. Chapter sub-headings have set formatting, separate from headings and body copy. Captions have separate formatting. Bulleted text has a format to determine, as does numbered copy. For these, it’s usually spacing and position rather than font styles. For a picky publisher, many more things are formatted so that there is a consistent style for all different kinds of text.
Linda Guthrie
978-764-5200