DOCX vs HTML: Conversion Differences
1. Structure and Semantics
HTML is a web standard with semantic tags like <p>
and <h1>
, while DOCX uses an XML-based format designed for rich document content.
2. Styling
HTML relies on CSS for styling, while DOCX embeds styles directly in the document. Converting styles requires extracting DOCX styling and applying it as inline CSS or external stylesheets.
3. Rich Media
HTML embeds media using <img>
or Base64, while DOCX stores media internally. Conversion involves extracting media files and referencing them in the HTML.
4. Tables and Layout
HTML supports simple tables with <table>
, but DOCX can handle complex layouts like nested tables and precise alignment. Simplifying these for HTML can be challenging.
5. Fonts and Formatting
HTML uses web-safe fonts or linked font files, while DOCX supports embedded fonts. Mapping fonts during conversion is essential for consistent appearance.
6. Interactive Elements
HTML includes interactive features via <a>
or <button>
, whereas DOCX supports hyperlinks and bookmarks in a non-web-friendly way.
7. Embedded Objects
HTML supports iframes or external links for embedding, while DOCX can include complex objects like Excel sheets. These need simplification during conversion.
8. Metadata
HTML stores metadata in the <head>
section, while DOCX includes it in document properties. Mapping this data ensures important information isn‘t lost.
9. File Format
HTML is plain text, easily editable, whereas DOCX is a zipped archive of XML files requiring parsing tools.
10. Page Layout
HTML has a fluid layout with no page concept, while DOCX is page-centric. Converting requires flattening DOCX content into a single continuous HTML flow.