The following imports and exports are supported. Click on the links to jump to the section of this document specific to each type:

• Imports
  • Word Processing Documents
  • First steps: Creating a module, document styling tips, applying the Connexions document template
  • Specific instructions for:
    • Microsoft Word
    • OpenOffice Writer
  • Plain CNXML
  • Zip file of CNXML and related files (such as media files)
• Exports
• Plain CNXML
• Zip file of CNXML and related files (such as media files)

First Steps for importing word processing documents

Creating a module in your workspace, styling tips for word processing documents, applying the Connexions document template.

1. Create a module in your workspace.
   • Display your workspace using Go to Author Work Area or the Authoring Area tab.
   • Create a new module in your workspace. Select Module from the drop down and push the Create New Item button.
   • Read and agree to using the Creative Commons license.
   • Give your module a title and select a language.


2. General styling instructions for word processing documents.

   Word processing documents can be extremely varied. We have attempted to handle many common cases, with the goal of extracting the text from your document so that you can mark it up in CNXML without having to retype the content. Some cautions:

   • Bold and Italics will be Ignored: Most visual styles like bold, italics, and colors are ignored, unless you use the provided document template and tag those items as emphasis, citations, glossary terms, etc.
   • Images: Many images will be imported without trouble. Images contained in figures or tables, created directly in Word or OpenOffice, or embedded in the document through links, may not work correctly.
   • Styling Tips: If you use CNXML-specific styles to create your document, you will get much more faithful conversion for elements like terms, citations, code, and others. See the styling information in our full instructions, below.
   • Use Headings to Get Sections: Even without CNXML-specific styling, you can make sure that your section organization is preserved during import by using the standard header styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) in your original document.
   • Full instructions on using Word or Open Office with Connexions
   • Download document template (.dot file)


3. Applying the Connexions document template to your document.

   You can import Word and Open Office files without using the Connexions document template, however, additional formatting is possible with the template.

   1. Download and install our Template on your computer.
   2. Create a new Word or OpenOffice document by selecting the Connexions-Document.dot icon or add the document template to an existing document.
   3. Apply the appropriate CNXML styles (Quote, Code, Cite, Emphasis, Term, Foreign) to the content in your document.
   4. Use Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, etc. for section headings in your document.


4. Importing the document.
   • Microsoft Word
   • Open Office

Microsoft Word Documents

Importing Microsoft Word Documents

You can convert an existing Microsoft Word document into a Connexions module using the Connexions import feature. A detailed description of how import a Word document with the minimum amount of clean up editing appears on the Using Microsoft Word to Create Connexions Documents page.

1. Review first steps and general word processing import instructions (including styling tips) above, if needed.
2. Log into Connexions, create a new module or select an existing module you want to overwrite, and display it in the "Edit" tab.
3. Select Microsoft Word from the Import drop-down list and click Import.
4. Click Browse to locate the file you want to import.
5. Click Import to upload your document. The Word document is converted to the Connexions format and inserted into the selected module. Any content (including images and other media files) that was in the module before you imported the file is overwritten by the imported file.
6. Review the module and make any necessary edits to clean up the content.

OpenOffice Writer Documents

Importing OpenOffice Writer Documents

To convert an existing OpenOffice Writer document into a Connexions module use the following steps. A detailed description of how import a Word document with the minimum amount of clean up editing appears on the Using Open Office Writer to Create Connexions Documents page.

1. Review first steps and general word processing import instructions (including styling tips) above, if needed.
2. Log into Connexions, create a new module, and display it in the "Edit" or "Files" tab.
3. Select OpenOffice Writer from the Import drop-down list and click Import.
4. Click Browse to locate the file you want to import.
5. Click Import to upload your document. The OpenOffice Writer document is inserted into the new module you created. Any content that was in the module before you imported the file is overwritten by the imported file.
6. Review the module and make any necessary edits to clean up the content.

Plain CNXML Files

If you want to use a plain text editor (for example, Notepad, TextPad, BBEdit, emacs) to edit your Connexions CNXML file, you must first export the file as a plain XML file. This will give you a CNXML file identical to what you see in Connexions when you display the module in full-source editing mode. You can then edit the file with the text editor and import it back into the module as a plain XML file.

Exporting Plain CNXML Files

To export a CNXML file so that you can edit it with a plain text editor use the following steps:

1. Log into Connexions and display your module in the "Edit" or "Files" tab.
2. Select Plain XML from the Export drop-down list and click Export. A dialog box appears asking if you want to open or save the CNXML file.
3. Click Save. A dialog box appears asking you where you want the file saved.
4. Specify the location where you want the file saved.
5. Click Save to export the file.
6. Edit the CNXML file with your plain text editor.

Importing Plain CNXML Files

To return your edited XML file to Connexions use the following steps:

1. Log into Connexions and display your module in the "Edit" or "Files" tab.
2. Select Plain XML from the Import drop-down list and click Import.
3. Click Browse to locate the file you want to import.
4. Click Import to upload your file. The XML file is inserted into your module. Any content that was in the CNXML file before you imported the XML file is overwritten by the imported file.

Zip File (CNXML + files)

A Connexions module may contain several files, in addition to the CNXML file. The zip file import and export feature of Connexions allows you to export the entire contents of a module or to import multiple files into a module in one operation. The transport medium in both instances is a zip file. For example, if you wanted to edit a CNXML file and its related image files outside of Connexions, you could export the module as a zip file. All the files within the module would be compressed into a zip file and exported to a location you select. To edit the module contents, use a zip application to open the zip file and access the files it contains, edit the files as necessary. To return the module contents to Connexions, use the zip application to compress the files and import the zip file into Connexions.

Exporting a Zip File

To export a module as a zip file use the following steps:

1. Log into Connexions and display your module in the "Edit" or "Files" tab.
2. Select Zip File from the Export drop-down list and click Export. A dialog box appears asking if you want to open or save the zip file.
3. Click Save. A dialog box appears asking you where you want the file saved.
4. Specify the location where you want the file saved.
5. Click Save to export the file.
6. Open the file with a zip application and edit the contents with the appropriate applications.

Importing a Zip File

Note: The Connexions module file structure does not support folders or subdirectories. Any folders or subdirectories in the zip file that you import into a module will be ignored.

To import an existing zip file into a Connexions module use the following steps:

1. Log into Connexions and display your module in the "Edit" or "File" tab.
2. Select Zip File from the Import drop-down list and click Import.
3. Click Browse to locate the file you want to import.
4. Click Import to upload your document. The files within the zip file are inserted into the module. Any files within the module that had the same name as a file within the zip file are overwritten by the imported file.