Doc to ePUB Conversion: A Complete Guide

What is the most productive way to keep yourself engaged while traveling or commuting to and from work? Reading a book! Even though the habit has remained the same, the mode of consumption of the written content has changed drastically over the past decade. Printed paper has given way to eBook readers, and the format has also changed from doc to ePUB.

eBook readers require the documents or books to be in ePUB format. The format provides more control to the readers and preserves the usability of the content. Writers need to keep up with this change and provide their books or documents in the ePUB format in addition to the standard doc format. 

You may wonder why it is the responsibility of the writer to do so and not the publisher and how to perform this conversion. 

Also Read: How to Convert PDF to ePUB3 while Keeping the Format Intact?

Most authors write their manuscript in the doc format since it is very versatile and easy to edit. The readability and editability make it the first choice for almost all authors. However, an ePUB format is essential to get your work to your readers. 

Here is a complete guide to help you convert your files from doc to ePUB. 

1. Stay Updated with Technology

eBook readers are here to stay. Most people find it much more comfortable to read on these than a printed book since they are easy to carry around and can store a large number of books on a single device. Since the eBook readers can also connect to the internet to download more files when necessary, the reader is never left without a book to read.

Given these advantages that eBook readers have over traditional printed books, ePUB is here to stay. Recognizing this trend and staying up to date with technology by converting your files from doc to ePUB will benefit you greatly.    

Also Read: Top 10 Advantages of eBooks over Printed Books

2. Reach a Wider Audience

As mentioned above, eBook readers have a lot of advantages over printed books, resulting in more people shifting to using eBook readers. In addition to this, certain devices, such as the iPad, only support the ePUB format, making it necessary to create eBooks in this format.

By converting your documents and books from doc to ePUB format, you are enabling more and more people to access it on their preferred medium. It ensures that your eBook gets maximum visibility.    

3. Perfect Display on All Devices

While the doc format may be perfect for giving the manuscript for publication or for reading on a computer, the same cannot be said for other devices. 

The ePUB format is the standard format for eBooks. It lays down the formatting rules that are followed by all devices, including eBook readers, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and computers. The ePUB format makes sure that your document can be viewed with ease on devices of all sizes.  

The ePUB format also gives users complete control. They can change the font style, size, and line spacing of the book or document to suit their convenience. 

4. Easier Conversion to Other Formats

While the ePUB format itself is one of the most widely supported ebook formats, having your document or book in ePUB format also makes it easier to convert it to other formats such as RTF and MOBI. 

The RTF format can be opened by most word processing software on PCs as well as smartphones. It makes it easier to edit the book or add bookmarks from the mobile phone. Similarly, the MOBI format is the basis for most of the current Kindle formats. Kindle is one of the most widely used eBook readers. 

When you convert your eBook from doc to ePUB, you are making it easier for the file to then be converted to RTF and MOBI without losing any information such as styling or bookmarks. In a world where people appreciate the seamless transition from one device to another, this is a valuable feature.

Also Read: Best Formats for Publishing eBooks

5. Reduce Publication Cost

A quick glance at the publication cost of most books will tell you that it is expensive and time-consuming to print. On the other hand, a book in ePUB format is ready for distribution with minimal editing. 

Not only does the ePUB format enable you to reach a wider audience, but it also reduces your publication costs. All of this works towards increasing your profits.

Now comes the difficult part. How can you convert doc to ePUB? Can Microsoft Word do that automatically? Unfortunately, no. Word may be blessed with many features, but converting to ePUB is not one of them. You have to rely on other software to perform this task. There are a few different ways to go about this. 

1. Free Conversion Software 

You can use a free tool available on the internet. There are many free tools where you can upload a document, and it gets converted into the ePUB format. This option is a good starting point. You can convert your raw doc file into ePUB to see what the outcome looks like and then decide what changes you need to make. 

Also Read: 7 Best eBook Converters for Bulk Conversion

2. Plugins for Word Processor

Certain word processors offer plugins that let you convert your doc to ePUB from the processor itself. The benefit here is that it is easier to make changes on the doc and instantly convert it to ePUB to visualize the outcome. 

3. Hire an eBook Designer or Company

Hiring a professional is the best option if you want a professional outcome. If your book is only text, then any eBook converter will do a decent job. However, if your book has images, tables, specific formatting requirements, etc., then an eBook designer or company can provide the best outcome. 

Hiring or outsourcing the doc to ePUB conversion is the best option if you are short on time and need to get the best possible outcome. It also helps if you want to convert your book into an audiobook.

Also Read: How to Create an Interactive eBook in 10 Steps

There are a few things you can keep in mind from the start to ensure that your doc to ePUB conversion happens smoothly. 

• You should never use a tab or space key to indent your paragraphs if you want to convert it into the ePUB format. Instead, use the paragraph setting in the Format section of your word processor
• You can use page breaks to demarcate when a chapter ends
• Use uniform margins on both sides of the doc file
• It is always best to use the left justification or center justification. Stay away from the right, and full justification as these will affect the text placement while converting doc to ePUB
• Make sure you use common fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. They are available on all devices and offer the most readable experience
• Try not to include large tables as they will get distorted on different devices

The ePUB format is the best way to ensure that your eBook reaches the maximum number of people in a manner that they find easy to read. As you can see, a little attention while writing the book goes a long way in making the conversion smoother.

If you want to convert your doc files ePUB, get in touch with us. Our eBook conversion platform KITABOO, helps create, publish and securely distribute all your content in a few clicks. KITABOO has processed and converted more than 10 million input pages.

Contact our expert team now and get started!

To know more, please write to us at contact@kitaboo.com

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• Top 7 Reasons Digital Publishers Opt For ePUB
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• Ebooks vs Books | Will e-books Replace Physical Textbooks Soon?
• Digitization of Books
• Common Challenges Faced By Small and Medium Publishers