Hi Daniel,

Converting from MS Word to EAD is technically achievable.  But, all your MS
Word finding aids have to be formated in a very specific way as the
conversion is powered by macros that match specific formating with specific
tagging.  Chances are you would have to reformat all your finding aids to
the new format, which may be as time consuming as hand coding.  Check out
the Bentley EAD Templates and Macros web page for specifics <
http://bentley.umich.edu/EAD/bhlfiles.php>.

If faced with these two options, I would opt for hand coding.  You will
learn so much more about EAD and it's potential.  If you totally rely on the
macro converter, your limited to what the macros are built to do.

Best,
Nathan

On Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 1:36 PM, Cornwall, Daniel D (EED) <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
>
>
> While I think what I'm looking for doesn't exist, I wanted to ask some
> experts before making confident assertions.
>
>
>
> Our institution has a lot of finding aids for photo and manuscript
> collections in MS Word Format. They have pretty standard subheadings. An
> example can be found at
> www.library.state.ak.us/hist/hist_docs/finding_aids/MS220.doc
> <http://www.library.state.ak.us/hist/hist_docs/finding_aids/MS220.doc> .
>
>
>
>
> I've had inquiries about getting these Word finding aids converted to
> EAD (Encoded Archival Description) through some sort of converter. I
> haven't been able to locate any such program, but maybe that's a
> reflection on my searching skills.
>
>
>
> There are a number of programs to create EAD finding aids from scratch
> and I've recommended acquiring one of these programs and getting staff
> to rekey/copy & paste from Word into the EAD finding aid program. Staff
> are not willing to do this at least until I can demonstrate that there
> is no automated way to convert our finding aids. Of course, if there is
> a converter, so much the better.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance for any enlightenment you can give me. - Daniel
>
>
>
> =======================================
>
> Daniel Cornwall
>
> Head of Technical and Imaging Services
>
> Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums
>
> PO Box 110571
> Juneau, AK 99811-0571
> Phone (907) 465-6332
>
> Fax (907) 465-2665
> E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
>
> See Division resources at http://lam.alaska.gov <http://lam.alaska.gov/>
> .
>
>
>
>
>
> Any opinions expressed in this e-mail are mine alone and not those of my
> employer unless explicitly stated.
>
>
>
>