Convert DOC to Wiki

Why Convert DOC to MediaWiki?

Converting DOC documents to MediaWiki format opens the door to the world's most successful collaborative documentation platform. MediaWiki powers Wikipedia, the largest encyclopedia ever created, as well as thousands of corporate wikis, documentation sites, and community knowledge bases. By converting your documents to wiki format, you enable collaborative editing and make your content accessible through a web browser.

MediaWiki was developed by the Wikimedia Foundation starting in 2002 and has become the standard for collaborative documentation. Its markup language is designed to be easy to learn while providing powerful features for linking, categorizing, and organizing content. The built-in version history tracks every change, making collaboration transparent and reversible.

One of MediaWiki's greatest strengths is cross-linking. Internal links are created simply with double brackets [[like this]], making it easy to build a network of interconnected pages. This creates a web of knowledge where readers can naturally navigate between related topics, much more powerful than a static Word document.

For organizations, MediaWiki provides a proven platform for knowledge management. Unlike DOC files sitting in shared folders, wiki pages are instantly searchable, always accessible via web browser, and encourage ongoing updates from the team. The wiki model has proven effective for everything from technical documentation to company policies.

Key Benefits of Converting DOC to MediaWiki:

• Wikipedia Compatible: Contribute to the world's encyclopedia
• Collaboration: Multiple editors can improve content
• Version History: Every change is tracked and reversible
• Cross-Linking: Easy internal links between pages
• Web Access: Content available from any browser
• Templates: Consistent formatting across pages
• Search: Full-text search built in

Practical Examples

Example 1: Encyclopedia Article

Input DOC file (article.doc):

Machine Learning

Machine learning is a subset of artificial
intelligence that enables systems to learn
from data.

History
The term was coined by Arthur Samuel in 1959.

Types:
- Supervised learning
- Unsupervised learning
- Reinforcement learning

See also: Deep Learning, Neural Networks

Output Wiki file (article.wiki):

'''Machine learning''' is a subset of
[[artificial intelligence]] that enables
systems to learn from data.

== History ==
The term was coined by [[Arthur Samuel]]
in 1959.

== Types ==
* [[Supervised learning]]
* [[Unsupervised learning]]
* [[Reinforcement learning]]

== See also ==
* [[Deep Learning]]
* [[Neural Networks]]

[[Category:Artificial intelligence]]
[[Category:Machine learning]]

Example 2: Documentation Page

Input DOC file (docs.doc):

Installation Guide

Requirements:
- Python 3.8 or higher
- pip package manager
- 4GB RAM minimum

Steps:
1. Download the installer
2. Run: pip install myapp
3. Configure settings

For help, contact [email protected]

Output Wiki file (docs.wiki):

== Installation Guide ==

=== Requirements ===
* Python 3.8 or higher
* pip package manager
* 4GB RAM minimum

=== Steps ===
# Download the installer
# Run: pip install myapp
# Configure settings

For help, contact [mailto:[email protected] support].

[[Category:Documentation]]
[[Category:Installation]]

Example 3: Table-Based Content

Input DOC file (comparison.doc):

Product Comparison

| Feature   | Basic  | Pro    | Enterprise |
|-----------|--------|--------|------------|
| Storage   | 10 GB  | 100 GB | Unlimited  |
| Users     | 1      | 10     | Unlimited  |
| Support   | Email  | Phone  | 24/7       |

Note: Prices valid until December 2024.

Output Wiki file (comparison.wiki):

== Product Comparison ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Feature !! Basic !! Pro !! Enterprise
|-
| Storage || 10 GB || 100 GB || Unlimited
|-
| Users || 1 || 10 || Unlimited
|-
| Support || Email || Phone || 24/7
|}

{{Note|Prices valid until December 2024.}}

[[Category:Products]]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is MediaWiki markup?

A: MediaWiki markup is the formatting language used by Wikipedia and MediaWiki-powered sites. It uses simple text conventions like '''bold''', ''italic'', == headings ==, and [[links]] to format content. It's designed to be easy to learn while enabling rich, linked documentation.

Q: Can I use this to contribute to Wikipedia?

A: Yes! Converting your document to MediaWiki format produces markup compatible with Wikipedia. You can copy the output directly into Wikipedia's editor. However, ensure your content meets Wikipedia's notability and sourcing guidelines before contributing.

Q: What are wiki templates?

A: Templates are reusable content blocks in MediaWiki. They're used for consistent formatting (like infoboxes), navigation elements, and common notices. Templates are invoked with double braces: {{TemplateName}}. Wikipedia has thousands of templates for various purposes.

Q: Will my DOC formatting be preserved?

A: Basic formatting like headings, bold, italic, lists, links, and tables will be converted to MediaWiki equivalents. Complex Word-specific features may be simplified to plain text. The result is clean wiki markup ready for publishing.

Q: How do I set up my own wiki?

A: You can install MediaWiki on your own server (it's free and open source) or use hosted solutions like Wiki.js, Confluence, or wiki farms. For small teams, hosted options are easiest. For organizations, self-hosted MediaWiki offers full control.

Q: What are categories in MediaWiki?

A: Categories organize wiki pages into groups. Add [[Category:TopicName]] at the bottom of a page to categorize it. Categories create automatic index pages and help users find related content. Well-organized categories are essential for large wikis.

Q: Can I include images in wiki pages?

A: Yes! Use [[File:ImageName.jpg|thumb|Caption]] to embed images. Images must first be uploaded to the wiki. MediaWiki automatically generates thumbnails and provides options for alignment, sizing, and captions.

Q: Is there a visual editor for MediaWiki?

A: Yes! MediaWiki includes VisualEditor, a WYSIWYG editor that lets you edit pages without knowing markup. Wikipedia enabled VisualEditor in 2013. However, understanding the markup is useful for advanced editing and troubleshooting.