How to Import Word Files without Installing Word (or SWIFT) on Your Computer
This topic demonstrates how the Duxbury Braille Translator can handle files for many different languages, and how to import a sample language document from DBT Help into your DBT even if you do not have Word on your computer (of if you have Word, but do not have SWIFT).
Understanding the Tables on This Help Page
Below these instructions are three tables of languages by region:
Each of these tables has four columns:
- Identifying flags
- Language name - with a link to the Help page about that language.
- Sample file name - with a link to open the MS Word file if you have Word installed on your computer.
- Recommended DBT template - with a link to the Help page about the template for that language.
MS Word is Not Installed on My Computer
First, consult the tables below and locate the link for the Word file you want to import into DBT. Now take note of the DBT template name to the right of the Word file name. (Write it down for yourself.)
Second, click on the Word (.docx) file name link. When the Open or Save dialog appears, select Save instead of Open. This, in turn, opens a Save As dialog, where you select a folder and file name where you want to save a copy of the sample file. You will need to locate this file again in a few seconds.
Third, close DBT Help.
Now, in DBT, press Control-O to Open a file and, once more, select the file you just saved. As you open the file to import it, you need to provide a DBT template name. (Of course, you made a note of the DBT template name.) Select that template for importing the file.
Notice that you do not need to have a copy of MS Word to import a Word file into DBT.
MS Word is Installed, but Not SWIFT
The instructions for importing your sample document are almost exactly as above. In fact, you can follow the instructions above exactly if you wish. However, in this case you have the option to open the file in Word before you open it in Duxbury DBT.
Very Important: NEVER clipboard (cut and paste) text from Word into Duxbury DBT!
When DBT imports a document it does a lot of additional processing on your file. You are likely to have all sorts of braille errors that are very difficult to track down if you attempt to bypass DBT's File Open, so Open the file and supply the DBT template name to import it.
Using SWIFT to open the files in DBT did bring us two advantages. First, we did not need to remember the DBT template name, and second, we avoided the temptation to use the clipboard as an illusory shortcut.
