What is HWP?

Hancom Word (HWP) is the standard word processing format in South Korea, used extensively in government and education.

What is XML?

Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a flexible markup format for structuring data in a human-readable, platform-independent way.

When Should You Use HWP vs XML?

HWP vs XML: Key Differences

• •HWP uses lossy compression while XML uses lossless compression — this is the fundamental technical difference between the two formats.
• •Moving from HWP (lossless) to XML (lossless) means the output file will be larger — but every bit of the original is preserved.
• •How transparency is handled: XML supports transparency, so alpha information is preserved during conversion.
• •File sizes: HWP files typically range 100KB to 20MB and XML files Larger than binary formats due to text tags.
• •HWP is optimized for korean documents, hancom office while XML is designed for data exchange, web services, configuration — choose based on your specific workflow needs

Advantages of HWP

• ✓At its core, HWP relies on lossy encoding — a design choice that makes it perfect for Korean documents, Hancom Office.
• ✓You won't run into compatibility issues with HWP — it's a universal standard across platforms.
• ✓File size management with HWP: aggressive compression with minimal visible quality loss.
• ✓Every major application in the Korean documents, Hancom Office space supports HWP natively.

Advantages of XML

• ✓The lossless nature of XML means file sizes stay reasonable while handling Data exchange, web services, configuration efficiently.
• ✓From mobile devices to enterprise servers, XML is recognized and supported everywhere.
• ✓The trade-off for XML's perfection is larger files — but for archival work, it is worth every megabyte.
• ✓XML is a first-class citizen in all major software ecosystems, from creative suites to development environments.

Common Use Cases for HWP to XML Conversion

• Technical documentation
• Email correspondence
• Forms and templates
• Compliance documentation
• Meeting minutes and notes
• Project proposals

Industry Applications

Best Practices for HWP to XML Conversion

• →When converting HWP to XML, check that tables, images, and embedded fonts transfer correctly — complex layouts may shift between formats
• →Use XML as your final distribution format if it offers better compatibility, or keep HWP as an editable master
• →For HWP to XML conversions, verify that tracked changes and comments are preserved if needed
• →Embed fonts to ensure consistent rendering across devices and platforms
• →Always keep a backup of your original files before converting
• →Choose the appropriate quality settings for your specific use case

Troubleshooting HWP to XML Conversion

• !Page breaks moved after converting HWP to XML → margin and spacing settings differ between document formats
• !Tables in the converted XML are misaligned → complex merged cells and nested tables are handled differently by each format
• !Headers and footers missing from XML → verify that the converter supports header/footer extraction for your source format
• !Special characters appear as gibberish in XML → the source file may use a different character encoding than expected

Related Document Converters

All Document Formats

More Document tools