From Word to ePUB - how it works
Printed books are still very popular, but eBooks have taken the book market by storm. So to reach as many readers as possible, you should offer your book as both an eBook and a print edition.
However, a special file format is required to be able to forward your eBook to all our partner portals: ePUB. But don't worry: you can simply use your existing Word files to create an ePUB file.
You can convert your file free of charge in the FEIYR portal - but you will need to format your document accordingly. In this article, we will show you how this works and what you should pay attention to.
What is the ePUB format?
ePUB (short for "electronic publication") is the standard format for eBooks. It is characterized by its flexible adaptability to different screen sizes and offers an optimal reading experience.
Advantages of ePUB:
- Dynamic layout: the text automatically adapts to the size of the device.
- Compatibility: Supported by almost all eReaders, tablets and smartphones.
- Interactivity: Possibility to set bookmarks or adjust the font size individually.
Compared to formats such as PDF, which are often rigid and difficult to read, ePUB is specifically designed for digital books.
Why your Word file is already a good starting point
Microsoft Word is one of the most popular text creation tools. Many authors use it to write manuscripts. But while Word is great for text editing, the .docx format is not directly suitable for publishing as an eBook.
However, with the right preparation, your Word file can easily be converted into an ePUB file. This allows you to present your content professionally and make it accessible to a wide audience.
Convert Word to ePub: step-by-step instructions
Before you convert your .doc/.docx file into an ePUB file, it is important to format it properly. This will ensure that your file can be converted without any problems and that your eBook is displayed correctly and professionally on eBook readers.
- Formatting the Word file
Fonts and font formatting:
Use standard fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman, as exotic fonts are often not supported. Readers can often adjust the font type and size individually on eReaders, but some "non-standard fonts" are not recognized by the readers.
- The bold, italic and underlined formatting is adopted.
Text alignment and colors:
- Format your text left-aligned, right-aligned or centered.
- Only use black font color. Bright colors can be displayed incorrectly on some devices. As many readers have black and white displays, colored texts are often illegible.
Headings:
- Set clear chapter structures by using the "Heading 1" and "Heading 2" styles in Word. These are recognized correctly by eBook conversion programs.
Bullet points:
- Use bullet points or numbered lists.
- Avoid symbols such as tick marks or smileys, as these are usually automatically converted to bullet points by conversion programs.
Images:
- Integrate images in JPG format, maximum size 500 x 600 pixels and centered.
- Only use a few images as this can reduce the loading time of the eBook. Many readers only display images in grayscale and low resolution - so please bear in mind that there are still design limitations when displaying images in eBooks.
Imprint:
- Add a masthead to your file, but avoid manual tables of contents, footnotes or initials, as these are often displayed incorrectly in the ePUB conversion.
2. conversion options: Convert from Word to ePUB
Once your document is optimally formatted, you have the following options for converting it into an ePUB file:
Manual conversion:
Free tools like Calibre or Sigil allow you to convert your Word file yourself. These programs offer many customization options, but require basic knowledge.
Automatic conversion:
Use our conversion service from FEIYR, which will do the conversion from Word to ePUB for you. Simply upload your manuscript to your account and our free service will create a professional ePUB file for you.
The advantage: less effort and automatic adaptation to the requirements of eBook readers.
These steps ensure that your eBook is visually appealing, functional and compatible with all eReaders. This turns your Word file into a professional eBook in ePUB format.
You can find more information about our conversion service in your FEIYR account!