Word to XPS use cases

Altsoft Xml2PDF engine is one of the best solutions for converting Word to XPS files. Our formatting engine supports almost all Word 2003, 2007 options and some of them even better than Microsoft Word does! Using Xml2PDF Server (.NET API) one can easily teach his .NET application to create PDF, XPS, PS, SVG and TIFF from any word file (docx, doc, word xml).

To bye some goods you can go to a shop, order it in the Internet or by post. But what if you need goods or services in industrial scales? In such situation a purchase order will help. Purchase orders help companies to communicate with clients, to control and verify orders and payments. Purchase orders also guarantee that agreements will be executed by both sides.

But the issue is not in purchase orders only. You can take invoices, other business documents, technical documentation as well. Nowadays most of commercial documents are electronically created and sent via the internet. As per usual different business documents are created in the Microsoft Word format, the most widespread format for managing document workflow. But the Microsoft Word is not the standard for electronic data interchange. It is convenient to use Xml-based formats (WordML, for example) for creation of such types of documents as purchase orders and invoices. It allows making amendments only to dynamically changing sections of information (prices, goods’ codes, etc.). In order to make the communication with consumers more efficient and convenient it is recommended to convert those documents in Word to XPS (Xml Paper Specification) before sending them via email.

But why XPS? Why converting Word documents to XPS? XML Paper Specification (XPS) is also called “Metro”. XPS was developed by Microsoft Corporation. XPS is a WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) component and it is perfectly suited for storage, viewing and publishing. XPS grants a wide range of advantages.

For printing XPS gives considerable preferences in productivity and image quality. These are the improved effectiveness of a new printing system and ability to manage extended graphics (transparency, for example). Due to its XML nature XPS gives enough context information that can be used by customers for documents’ processing optimization. Therefore general print process can be quickened. Ability to add metadata improves documents’ searchability as well.

XPS gives considerable improvements in accuracy of printing. The improvements are smooth gradients, transparency and support of improved colors. This is especially important for printing establishments and press agencies. As a document format XPS is easily integrated with Windows platform. XPS is combined with WinFX that associate it with the platform and thereby gives applications and tools for work with the format.

XPS also supports digital signatures and Print Ticket format that define how the document should be printed.

All the features make XPS a very good format for such tasks as documents interchange, storing, securing. That is why many companies chose XPS as a principal format in document workflow. Documents created in other formats such as Word, Excel, HTML are converted to XPS with the help of such Server .Net applications as Altsoft Xml2PDF Server edition.

XPS is sometimes compared with PDF. And it is often said that XPS was created as a rival of adobe PDF. But it is not really so. These two formats coincide with the exact reproduction of the layout of an electronic document and with device-independence. But further the formats differ.

XPS pursues the same objects as PDF does: it represents documents with layout they were created independently from software installed on the computer. The XPS format doesn’t require additional system components, particularly fonts. XPS ensures a developer that customers will see documents as it was intended. Moreover, documents created in XPS can not be duplicated or modified by customers.

XPS is rather simple and light standard for electronic data presentation. XPS is suitable for viewing and for printing as well. What is remarkable is that XPS is the basis of a new printing Microsoft subsystem that appeared first in Windows Vista. Moreover, XPS is available for work with .Net Framework starting from version 3.0.

XPS has enough grounds to replace PDF as a format for electronic documents interchange. It supports metadata content, hyperlink objects, extended graphics, digital signatures, etc. .Net developers implement XPS format to their work as there are all system components required for work with XPS.

Thus storing Word documents to XPS gives many advantages to their users. Altsoft proposes several decisions for Word to XPS conversions. One can use Xml2PDF Workstation to convert single Word documents. Workstation has user-friendly interface and is applicable for small businesses. Xml2PDF Server provides the same functionality and can be embedded into your own .Net solution. Xml2PDF Server suits well for server solutions and is used to convert Word to XPS automatically. Choose what you like and what suits your needs to the best extent and enjoy our support.

See samples.

Word to XPS on Server.