For those having difficulty converting Hyperlinks...



Applies to
- Word 2003
- Word 2013 [doc, Compatibility Mode]
- Word 2013 [docx]

I wanted to convert my Word 2003 files to Word 2013 format.

When I used Word 2013's "File > Convert", some converted Hyperlinks were fine; other converted Hyperlinks found the target file, but no longer found the target section.

My Word 2003 files contained two types of Hyperlink.
Pressing {Alt-F9} reveals the difference between them.

Type [A] contains a Hyperlink index
Example: HYPERLINK "Ghost version 15.doc" \l "_Hlk324125941" \s "1,4853,4862,3,,3 Backups"
Type [A] converted fine.

Type [b] contains no Hyperlink index
Example: HYPERLINK "Windows Vista Operating System.doc" \s "1,20031,20062,2,,Chapter: VSS and System Restore"
Type [b] lost their target section on conversion.


How were these Hyperlinks created?
- Select and Copy Target Header
- Use {Alt-E, H} to Paste Hyperlink into another file...

How did the same method create different types of Hyperlink?
Did I get type [b] most days; type [A] if it was a Tuesday?
No, but similar...
- type [b] created if the target file had been saved directly before "Copy Target Header"
- type [A] created if the target file had unsaved changes before "Copy Target Header"

So, it's better to have unsaved changes in your target file before "Copy Target Header", because Word will automatically generate a Hyperlink index, resulting in the more robust type [A] Hyperlink.



Answer - WordConv, then Word 2013's "File > Convert"

I later found that Word 2013's "WordConv.exe" accurately converts both Hyperlink types.
Typical Command Line format
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\Wordconv.exe" -oice -nme <input file> <output file>

The generated docx file has been converted to perhaps Word 2010 format.
When opened in Word 2013, it appears in [Compatibility Mode].
Then Word 2013's "File > Convert" completes conversion to Word 2013 format.
Both Hyperlink types are still okay.



Formatting of this message
This edit control refused to accept an Uppercase 'b'.
Editor - perhaps you would uppercase the 'b' in "Type [b]"?