XML content transformation is the process of converting content from one format or structure to another — from Word to DITA XML, from DocBook to DITA, from DITA to HTML5, from legacy XML to a new schema. It is a core capability for organisations managing large documentation sets.
Common transformation scenarios
The most common scenarios are: migrating legacy content to DITA XML; publishing DITA content to PDF, HTML5, and other formats via the DITA Open Toolkit; schema migration within DITA; and system migration when moving between CCMS platforms.
XSLT: the primary transformation technology
XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations) is the primary technology for XML content transformation. It is a declarative language designed specifically for transforming XML documents, and it is the foundation of the DITA Open Toolkit and most DITA migration tools.
Saxon as the XSLT processor
Saxon is the most capable and widely used XSLT processor. Saxon-HE (the open-source edition) supports XSLT 3.0 and is sufficient for most transformation tasks. Saxon-EE adds streaming and schema-aware processing for very large documents.
Tools for Word and FrameMaker conversion
oXygen XML Author includes a batch conversion facility for Word, HTML, and other formats. Migrate (formerly Stilo Migrate) is a commercial tool designed for large-scale content migration to DITA. Custom XSLT stylesheets provide the most control for proprietary XML formats.
Quality assurance in content transformation
Content transformation at scale produces errors. Validate transformed content against the target schema, check for broken references and missing metadata, and conduct a representative sample review. Automated validation scripts that check for common errors can catch problems before they reach manual review.
XML content transformation is a technical discipline that requires both tool knowledge and content expertise. The organisations that get the best results invest in understanding their source content before choosing a transformation approach — and treat quality assurance as an integral part of the process.