This article describes how to use HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to batch convert multiple HTML web page files into TXT plain text format. It is suitable for web page data archiving, offline page content extraction, knowledge base organization, search index preparation, and other scenarios. The article combines before-and-after processing effect images and software operation screenshots, explaining step by step how to access the HTML-to-TXT conversion feature, import html or mhtml files, confirm the pending processing list, set the save location, and execute batch conversion, helping users reduce the inefficient operations of repeatedly opening web pages, copying and pasting, and saving as text.
In daily office work, data organization, and content archiving, many people encounter this problem: they have a batch of web files saved from a browser, with extensions like html, htm, or possibly mhtml, mht. A single file can be opened in a browser, its content copied, and then pasted into Notepad to save as txt. However, if the number of files reaches dozens or hundreds, repeatedly opening, copying, pasting, and saving as becomes extremely time-consuming, with a risk of missed files or misnamed outputs. This article aims to solve the problem of "how to batch convert many HTML web files to TXT text format."
HeSoft Doc Batch Tool is a batch document processing software designed for office scenarios. Its core value is integrating file operations that originally required manual processing, handling them one by one, into a single workflow. For tasks like HTML to TXT conversion, it allows users to import multiple web files at once and batch output them as TXT plain text files, suitable for web data cleaning, historical page archiving, content retrieval, data preprocessing, and copywriting material organization.
Applicable Scenarios: When Do You Need Batch HTML to TXT Conversion?
HTML web files inherently contain page structure, tags, styles, links, and other information. While the HTML format is convenient for browsing and display, TXT plain text is often lighter and more versatile for text retrieval, content comparison, data archiving, batch reading, and subsequent data processing. After batch converting HTML to TXT, files can be directly opened and indexed by Notepad, Notepad++, code editors, or many search tools.
- Offline web data archiving: Unify saved web pages, tutorials, announcements, and documentation into TXT, facilitating long-term preservation and quick searches.
- Content extraction and organization: Extract text content from numerous html, htm, and mhtml web files, reducing interference from web styles and tags.
- Knowledge base building: After converting web materials to plain text, import them into an internal knowledge base, search system, or document management platform.
- Text analysis preprocessing: When performing keyword statistics, text comparison, or corpus organization, TXT is easier for downstream tools to read than HTML.
- Reducing repetitive work: Avoid the inefficient operation of individually opening browser pages, manually copying text, and saving it as a txt file.
Result Preview: Multiple HTML Web Files Before Processing, TXT Text Files After
From the pre-processing preview, it can be seen that the folder contains multiple web files, such as 1.html, 2.mhtml, 3.html, 4.html. These files typically display with a browser icon and will open in a browser when double-clicked. If processed one by one, it requires repeatedly opening files and manually saving the text, a workload that rapidly amplifies as the number of files increases.
After completing the batch conversion, a set of txt files, such as 1.txt, 2.txt, 3.txt, 4.txt, will appear in the corresponding location. In other words, the original HTML web files have been batch converted to TXT plain text format, ready to be opened, searched, copied, or imported into other systems using a text editor.
This before-and-after change is highly suitable for office file organization: file names maintain a clear correspondence, and the format changes from web format to plain text, facilitating unified management thereafter. For users needing to process a large number of web files, batch conversion can significantly reduce manual operation time.
Operation Steps: Using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to Batch Convert HTML to TXT
Step 1: Enter "Text Tools" and Select "HTML to TXT"
After opening HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , various office processing modules can be seen in the left-side function categories, including Word Tools, Excel Tools, PowerPoint Tools, PDF Tools, Text Tools, etc. As this task is to convert HTML web files to TXT text, you need to enter the "Text Tools" category.
In the list of text tools, find the "HTML to TXT" function. From the screenshot, the function description is "Batch convert HTML files to TXT plain text format." This completely matches the task at hand: batch converting web files like html and mhtml to txt.
The operational goal of this step is to select the correct batch processing function. The expected result is entering the dedicated processing page for "HTML to TXT," where all subsequent file imports, save location settings, and process initiation will be completed.
Step 2: Add the HTML Web Files to be Converted
Upon entering the "HTML to TXT" page, the software interface provides options at the top such as "Add Files," "Import Files from Folder," "Clear," and "More." For a small number of files, you can click "Add Files" to import them individually or in multiple selections. If a folder contains a large collection of html, htm, and mhtml files, using "Import Files from Folder" is more aligned with batch office processing needs.
The screenshot shows 4 imported files, with the list displaying Sequence Number, Name, Path, Extension, Creation Time, Modification Time, and an Action column. The files include 1.html, 2.mhtml, 3.html, and 4.html, located in a test folder on drive D. The bottom of the software also shows "Record Count: 4," indicating there are 4 files currently pending processing.
The operational goal of this step is to add all web files to be converted into the pending processing list. The expected result is for the files to be clearly displayed in the table, allowing users to check if the names and paths are correct. If unwanted files are imported, they can be removed via the delete icon in the action column; if the list is incorrect, "Clear" can be used to re-import.
Step 3: Check the File List, Confirm Extensions and Quantity
The biggest pitfall in batch processing is not slow processing speed, but processing the wrong objects. Therefore, before clicking 'Next,' it is recommended to check the file names, paths, and extensions in the list. The extension column in the screenshot shows html and mhtml, indicating that these files all belong to web-related formats and are suitable for processing with the HTML to TXT function.
If the number of files is very large, the "Filter" and "Sort" buttons in the interface can be used to assist in organizing the list. Although the example in this article only has 4 files, in a real office scenario, files may originate from multiple projects, dates, or sources. Preliminary verification can prevent unrelated files from being converted together.
The operational goal of this step is to confirm that the objects to be processed are accurate. The expected result is that only the HTML web files intended for conversion remain in the list, and the record count matches the number planned for processing.
Step 4: Click "Next," Set the Save Location
After confirming the file list is correct, click the "Next" button at the bottom of the page. As indicated by the interface workflow prompts, the entire conversion process is divided into three stages: selecting the records to process, setting the save location, and starting the process. The current screenshot is at step 1; clicking "Next" will proceed to step 2, which is setting the save location for the converted TXT files.
Setting the save location is very important. It is advisable not to directly overwrite or mix the output with the source HTML files in their complex directories. Instead, create a dedicated output folder, such as "HTML to TXT Results" or "Web Text Export." The benefit of this is that pre-processing and post-processing files are stored separately, facilitating verification and reducing the risk of accidentally deleting source files.
The operational goal of this step is to determine where the conversion results will be output. The expected result is that the software knows to save the TXT files to the specified directory, and the batch-generated txt files will subsequently appear centrally in that location.
Step 5: Start Processing and View the TXT Output Results
After completing the save location setting, proceed to the "Start Processing" phase within the workflow. Following the software's guided process, the user simply needs to initiate the process according to the page prompts, and the software will batch convert the files in the list order. Once processing is complete, the output folder can be opened to view the results.
From the post-processing screenshot, it can be seen that the original 1.html, 2.mhtml, 3.html, and 4.html have correspondingly generated 1.txt, 2.txt, 3.txt, and 4.txt. The file format conversion is complete, and the names maintain an obvious correspondence, making it easy for the user to verify if all conversions were successful.
The operational goal of this step is to truly execute the batch HTML to TXT conversion. The expected result is that each imported web file generates a corresponding TXT plain text file, eliminating the need for users to individually open browser pages and manually copy content.
Common Problems and Notes
1. What is the difference between HTML, HTM, and MHTML? Can they be processed together?
HTML and HTM are both common web file extensions. MHTML or MHT are typically single-file web page formats saved by browsers, which may contain page content and related resources. The example files in the screenshot include html and mhtml, indicating that web-type files can be added to the list for conversion in this task. For actual processing, it is recommended to test with a small sample first before proceeding with large-scale conversion.
2. Will web page styles be preserved after converting to TXT?
TXT is a plain text format and is not used to preserve web page layout, CSS styles, image display, or complex interactive effects. Therefore, the focus after conversion is text content, not web visual effects. If your goal is to retain the layout, TXT is not the most suitable format; if the goal is to extract text, search, and archive, TXT is more lightweight.
3. Do I need to back up original files before batch conversion?
It is recommended to keep the original HTML files. Batch conversion typically generates new TXT files, but from the perspective of office data security, it is best to store source files and result files separately. This is especially important when dealing with important project materials, web evidence, and historical archive files, as retaining the originals facilitates future review.
4. How to reduce errors when there are many files?
It is advised to first gather the web files to be processed into a single folder, then batch-add them via "Import Files from Folder." After importing, check the record count, extensions, and paths; set a separate output directory; and finally start the process. This workflow can reduce issues like missed selection, incorrect selection, and mixed-up results.
Summary: Replace Repetitive Copy-Pasting with Batch Conversion
Batch converting HTML web files to TXT plain text essentially automates the repetitive labor of "opening a web page one by one, copying the text, and saving it as a text file" by handing it over to office software. Using the "HTML to TXT" function of HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , users can quickly import multiple html, htm, and mhtml web files, set a unified save location, and batch generate txt files.
If you are organizing web materials, archiving offline pages, or preparing data for text analysis, it is recommended to first gather the HTML files to be processed into a single folder and then perform batch conversion following the steps in this article. This not only saves significant manual operation time but also makes the file output more uniform and facilitates subsequent management.