If I import a lesson by copying the text from a pdf and pasting it inside the Lingq text box, then when I save the lesson and open it the formatting is all screwed up. Is there anything I can do to fix this, or is this just a bug? For example, instead of a nice clean paragraph the formatting will look something like the paragraph below:
If I import a lesson by copying the text from a pdf and pasting it onto
the Lingq text box, then when I save the lesson and
open it the
formatting is all screwed up. Instead of a nice clean paragraph the
formatting will look something like the paragraph below:
As far as I know, there is no simple solution to this dillemma. Has anyone come across anything to help with this?
The issue is primarily that text in a PDF is formatted to fit nicely on the PDF document, not necessarily in a .doc or .txt file, so when converting the form from text in a PDF file to text in a word processor, it often looks different.
Your best choice is to copy and paste the text into Word/OpenOffice/Pages, etc., edit the formatting from there, then copy and paste it into the LingQ text field on the Import Lesson page.
I use Word to change the text. I copy the text from the pdf and insert it into a word document. Then I change the paragraph into a space. Sometimes I change then 2 spaces in a row back to a paragraph.
Tip: It helps if you let Word show you the invisible formattings. (Sorry, if I miss the correct term. I don’t know the English terms for the Word functions. I’m using a German version of Word.)
Probably I do other changes too. Then I copy the text from Word and insert it in LingQ.
This seems to be a normal behaviour to me. The problem comes from the fact that you copy the END of LINE markers, and the lingq text box will not do any reformatting of end of line markers.
A solution is to import the pdf text first in another text formatting program, and remove the END of LINE markers in the paragraphs, so normal wrapping of text will happen again.
Thanks for all your help. Using all your suggestions, here is the easiest way I was able to solve the problem. I’m using Microsoft Word 2003. If you are using a different version of Word, then the steps you need to follow might be a little different.
Copy the text from the PDF and past it into Word.
After you copy the text there should be a little icon of a clipboard and piece of paper that you can click next to the last word that you copied. If you hover your mouse over this button it reads, “Past Options”
Click the button and select, “Match Destination Formatting”.
Click “Format”, and then select “Auto Format”. A window should pop up.
Make sure “Auto format”, and “general document” are selected and then click “ok”.
That’s it. Now simply copy the text into the Lingq text box like you normally would.
