Seeking opinions: *can* Word handle very large files for conversion to PDF?

[Charles M. Kozierok]

Hi folks..

I am in the process of editing a very large document, which when done
will be upwards of 4,000 pages, with hundreds of embedded graphics and
thousands of crosslinks between sections. I have been using Word 95 for
years because it is fast and relatively simple; I also have Word 2002.
I eventually need to convert this to PDF.

I am getting very mixed signals from people regarding whether or not
Word can handle a file this size. I figured better safe than sorry, I
better upgrade to Framemaker, a more "professional" program designed for
large files.

The problem is that I immediately discovered that, to my amazement, Framemaker
does not provide any way to work with or even view a file in structure
outline mode! My document is long and complex and without this
Framemaker isn't worth much to me, not to mention its price.

So I am back to Word, or finding some other solution. Any advice on this
matter would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to end up with a
corrupted document, but I need some solution that will allow me to
continue working in a structured way.

Thanks for any advice.

peace,

-*-
charles

 

[Mr Nobody]

You just have to try it. I don't see any reasons why a document that be printed
on your laser printer can't be converted to a PDF format? To convert any document
to pdf is another way of saying that you are printing it on an adobe distiller.
You can't get corrupted file because your world document remains as it is.

If you still think that it is risky then why not work with the copy document?

By the way, the problem you are likely to have is that your target audience may
not be able to read the pdf file if they don't have minimum 512 mb RAM on their
computer. Why do you want such a big file in the first place? Why not use
Chapters and link them using a master document.

Hope this helps.

 

[Charles M. Kozierok]

} You just have to try it. I don't see any reasons why a document that be printed
} on your laser printer can't be converted to a PDF format? To convert
} any document
} to pdf is another way of saying that you are printing it on an adobe distiller.
} You can't get corrupted file because your world document remains as it is.

I am thinking the same thing. But I keep getting differing answers from
people, even from Adobe, about whether or not it will work.

As for "just trying it", well, if it doesn't work, I am looking at
several weeks of work to convert to some other program, which is why I
am looking now.

} If you still think that it is risky then why not work with the copy document?

My concern is with being unable to convert the file and/or encountering
problems in the middle of editing that I might not discover until later.
I am quite religious about backups though.

} By the way, the problem you are likely to have is that your target audience may
} not be able to read the pdf file if they don't have minimum 512 mb RAM on their
} computer. Why do you want such a big file in the first place? Why not use
} Chapters and link them using a master document.

Master documents are known to cause corruption in Word, wouldn't touch
them with a 10-foot pole.

The file is big because it contains a lot of information. This isn't
a collection or anything, it's one single electronic book that just is
that large.

Thanks for the response.

peace,

-*-
charles