Convert DOC to PMD

An existing Adobe PageMaker job may need Word text imported so the publication can be edited or delivered in its original PageMaker workflow. A .pmd file is a legacy PageMaker publication, not a direct replacement for a Word document, so the content must be placed and reformatted in PageMaker.

DOC and PMD formats

DOC is the binary Microsoft Word format used mainly by Word 97 through Word 2003. It can contain editable text, styles, tables, headers and footers, images, revision markup, embedded objects, and macros; Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, and Apache OpenOffice can open it.

PMD is the native publication format of Adobe PageMaker. It stores fixed page layouts, text frames, master pages, typography, color settings, guides, and references to placed graphics. Its practical advantage is editability in an existing PageMaker workflow; it is unsuitable as a general exchange or archival format because PageMaker is discontinued and current software support is limited.

Adobe PageMaker 7.0.2 is the last release. A genuine editable .pmd file must be created and saved in PageMaker; current Adobe InDesign releases do not create PMD files. Older InDesign versions may have PageMaker-conversion support, but converted files become InDesign documents, not PMD files.

Import Word content into PageMaker

Use a licensed, working PageMaker installation for the final save. PageMaker was designed for older operating systems, so it may require a legacy Windows or Mac environment; test the application and required fonts before committing to the workflow.

1. Open the source .doc in Microsoft Word or LibreOffice Writer. Accept or remove tracked changes, delete comments, remove password protection, and save an untouched backup.
2. Save a working copy as RTF using File → Save As → Rich Text Format (*.rtf), such as publication.rtf. PageMaker can import some older Word files directly, but RTF generally produces more predictable text import.
3. In PageMaker, create a new publication with the required page size, orientation, margins, columns, master pages, and color settings.
4. Draw a text frame with the Text tool. Choose File → Place, select publication.rtf, then click in the frame to place the text.
5. Use linked text frames or PageMaker's autoflow placement method to continue long text across pages. Apply PageMaker paragraph styles and correct page breaks, hyphenation, and overset text.
6. Place important graphics separately from their original image files through File → Place. Rebuild tables, text boxes, headers, footers, captions, and text wrapping as PageMaker layout elements.
7. Choose File → Save As and save the publication as publication.pmd. Keep the PMD file, fonts, and linked graphics together when transferring the job.

Do not rename publication.doc to publication.pmd; changing an extension does not change the file format.

Conversion limits and checks

Word and PageMaker use different layout models. Basic paragraphs and character formatting can transfer through RTF, but Word-specific features do not reliably convert: revision history, comments, macros, mail-merge fields, content controls, SmartArt, equation objects, floating text boxes, and complex tables require removal or manual reconstruction.

Font substitution can change line endings, frame overflow, pagination, and page breaks. Install or license the required fonts on the PageMaker computer, inspect every page for missing characters and overset text, and compare a PDF proof or printed output with the source.

PageMaker may link rather than embed placed graphics. Preserve original image filenames and folder structure, and use sufficiently high-resolution source images for print output. If the recipient needs only a viewable or printable document, create a PDF instead; PDF avoids the PageMaker compatibility requirement.

There is no reputable general-purpose online converter for producing dependable, editable PageMaker PMD files. Online services can convert DOC to RTF or PDF, but they cannot reliably recreate PageMaker frames, master pages, linked assets, and proprietary publication data; avoid uploading confidential documents to unverified services.