How to format a text before importing it into Write

StreetLib Write allows you to upload your book in different formats (.doc, .docx, .odt) and then convert it into an ebook and/or create your own paper version.

Below you'll find some guidelines to follow to format the text before importing it into Write.
PLEASE NOTE. These tips are also useful if you intend to create your project from copy/paste.

Use consistent styles throughout the book

In the process of writing your book, we recommend to maintain uniformity in styles across different types of content and elements. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Do not change the default font size
Do not use different font sizes for the same content and element types
Do not use specific fonts as the system will apply them based on your chosen theme)
If your book is written in an non-Latin alphabet, such as Greek, write directly in that alphabet without incorporating special fonts or characters.
Set the document encoding to UTF-8 (a variable-width character encoding that can effectively represent linguistic characters and textual elements in almost every language)

Use your editor correctly

In the stylistic formatting of your book, it is important to use the tools and settings of the text editor you are using (Word, OpenOffice).

Here are some examples in Open Office:

To align the text, use the toolbar’s alignment controls

To start a new line, use the “Enter” key. Avoid using spaces for text wrapping or to space out paragraphs.
Do not use indentation, as Write applies automatic spacing based on the chosen theme, which you can modify through the Write editor.
Apply font styles such as bold and italic, to emphasize words or phrases with specific semantic value. We recommend using bold for chapter and paragraph titles.

Generally, it is recommended to designate and format text sections as titles or body content. Properly formatting both the text body and titles enables you to seamlessly reflect your book's style in Write, eliminating the need to make adjustments in the editor.

In your Word file:

Choose text style and set it as "paragraph", "title" or "subtitle"
Insert page breaks or hyperlinks
Run spell checks
Use bulleted or numbered lists and manage text formatting (bold, italic, and more). Beware of bulleted lists: avoid manual symbol insertions, they may not be translated correctly.
Add notes and tables; avoid using columns, as they may display differently on various devices. Inizio modulo

By following these guidelines, you can create a well-structured layout for your ebook or physical book. Write recognizes and retains your formatting, ensuring a smooth transition for your beautifully designed text.

Index and structure of the book

StreetLib Write employs an algorithm to identify a potential table of contents within a Word document. If detected, it scans the entire body of the book for titles listed in the index and utilizes them to organize the book into chapters.

Using the file structure as a foundation, Write generates the book’s Table of Contents, crucial for smooth navigation between different sections and to ensure an optimal reading experience.

If the imported document lacks an index, Write employs alternative methods to accurately identify the file's structure:

Structural/Semantic Criterion: Searches for all 'header' elements, especially if the author has employed them for chapter titles (highly recommended!).
Stylistic Criterion: Attempts to identify 'titles' based on graphic and stylistic features (e.g., larger or bold text) and ranks the most suitable candidates.
Semantic/Linguistic Criterion: Searches for elements containing terms like 'chapter' or numbers (e.g., 'Chapter 1,' 'V', etc.)

Notes and tables

Insert notes and tables into your document using the text editor's special functions, so that these can be stored as recognizable information by Write.

To create a note, select the word, then choose “Insert” > “Footnote” from the main menu (OpenOffice).
To add a table, place it where you want and click "Insert" or use the Table icon in the main menu.

Manage images to suit your preferences

You can customize and manage your images from the left menu, whether it’s reducing, adding or deleting them. For more details, refer to our dedicated article.

Keep in mind that inserting numerous images in an ebook will require a fixed layout. Refer to this guide to determine if it suits your needs!