PDF to HTML Conversion: All It Takes is the Right Tool

PDF to HTML Conversion: All It Takes is the Right Tool

It’s rather easy to turn a web page into a PDF file. You have the option of using a PDF printer to do just that, however, using a PDF software application will allow you to create a better looking, presentable document. Best PDF Creator?

But what if someone wanted to reverse that process? Is it possible to take an existing PDF document and convert it into a web page? The answer is yes. Using the right PDF software allows you to turn a file into the hypertext markup language, or HTML. So why would you want to do this?

Reasons to turn a PDF file into HTML

In most cases, it’s best if you hire a professional web designer to build the web site for your organization. Converting PDF to HTML isn’t the ideal method for establishing a strong web presence. However, there are times when a quick conversion might be the best answer. For instance:

You need to turn a PDF brochure into a one-page web site in a hurry

You want to turn an existing marketing document or advertisement into an HTML email

You want to make your content available in multiple formats

Of course, using PDF software to convert a file into HTML also makes sense if you don’t have the design or development skills to create a web site as well. After all, it’s much easier to click a few buttons than it is to learn a markup language.

PDF to Word Converter - Convert, create, and extract PDF content with Foxit Converter. You can open PDF files in Word, Excel and more; extract tables, text, and images. Scan directly from paper for formatted, editable Word documents. Create PDFs from almost ANY Windows program. PDF to WORD Converter - Convert PDF to Word Doc Easily and Remove the PDF Restriction. Download Foxit PDF to WORD Converter Now.

How can I do it?

Using a PDF editor such as Foxit PhantomPDF, all matters of PDF-to-HTML conversion are handled for you.

To create an HTML file from a PDF document, you simply open the document and either select FILE > Export or click on the CONVERT tab.

After you choose either option, PhantomPDF will ask you which type of file format you wish to convert your document into. To create a web page, select HTML and choose the location where you wish to save it. Et voila! PDF to HTML.

Things to consider

Turning a PDF document into an HTML file doesn’t produce the cleanest code. While this file will likely work on most browsers, you may need to clean up parts of it and validate the file to ensure everything is correct. W3C provides a markup validator that will allow you to check your file for common errors.

Another thing to consider is that if you’re creating an HTML file to use as an email, many email clients are picky about the code. If something isn’t quite right, it’ll display the email client’s defaults, taking the style and formatting out of your message.

To help prevent this from happening, run your HTML through an inliner such as the one offered by Zurb. This helps ensure that your HTML will display properly in many of the popular email clients.

While converting a PDF file to HTML may not be the ideal method of creating web ready files, there may be cases when you need to rely on this capability. Ensuring that your PDF software contains all of the features you may need to use should be one of the most important factors when you, or your organization, is looking to purchase an enterprise ready PDF solution.

Creating User Friendly PDF Documents

Over the years, users have found PDF software increasingly easier to use. The workflow of creating a document that’s readable on any computing platform or mobile device is relatively simple if you’re using the right application. The user experience, however? That’s another story. Which is why it pays to take the time to properly plan the layout and user experience of the document you’re working on.

Luckily, enterprise grade PDF software applications provide you with all of the features and tools you’ll need to create user friendly documents; you just need to familiarize yourself with some of the best practices when it comes to PDF user experience.

Accessibility

Most governments have specific laws that requires electronic and information technology developed by or purchased by their Federal Agencies be accessible by people with disabilities. This has spread to many businesses and private organizations as well, so that employees who may have disabilities will also benefit from accessibility standards.

Accessibility is often is the first step in creating a user-friendly document. This involves adding a formal structure to documents, including alternative text for images, using descriptive text for tables, tagging documents appropriately and many other requirements that are similar to the ones found on this checklist. Once you create the document, you can then run a complete accessibility check of the file through your PDF software to ensure that the document is compliant along with providing a report for others to view.

Linking and navigation

One of the benefits of a PDF document is the ability to turn static content into an interactive document. You may utilize bookmarks or a table of contents for longer documents. Readers need only click on the bookmarked tab or the specific item in the table of contents to find the content they’re looking for.

Documents also have the ability to contain hyperlinks to content on the Internet; readers looking for sources or additional information need only click on the links you provide and they can bring up the appropriate page in their browser.

Page layout

Using PDF software, you can select from a number of layout choices including orientation, paper and page size, and units of measurement. You also have access to built-in tools that allow you to arrange objects on the page, move and resize paragraphs, edit images and other objects or even modify the document by changing the background and other elements.

Embed necessary elements

The most important user experience feature comes from the ability for PDF software to embed elements such as fonts and images directly into the document file. This ensures that every reader, regardless of which fonts they have installed on their system, will be able to experience the document the way you intended.

Much like web sites, PDF documents should also employ some of the best practices that give users the best possible experience. Not all word processing tools, or even PDF software solutions, provide the capability to accomplish this. Make sure that you’re using a PDF editor such as PhantomPDF that provides users with the features and tools needed to produce high quality, user-friendly documents.