Converters for Hanword

Hanword, formerly known as Hangul Word Processor (HWP), is a proprietary word processing application developed by South Korean company Hancom Inc. It was originally designed to support the Korean language and its unique script, Hangul, which posed challenges for Western-based word processors. Over time, Hanword evolved into a comprehensive document editing tool widely used in South Korea across government, education, and enterprise sectors. Its core strength lies in its native support for Korean typography, layout precision, and compatibility with local standards.

The primary file format associated with Hanword is HWP, which encapsulates text, images, tables, and formatting metadata in a binary structure. This format is optimized for Korean-language documents and includes features such as vertical writing, complex table structures, and embedded fonts. In addition to HWP, Hanword supports other formats like HML (Hanword Markup Language), which is an XML-based alternative designed for interoperability and easier parsing in web and mobile environments. Hancom has also introduced HWPX, a more modern and standardized format based on XML, aimed at improving compatibility with other platforms and enhancing document exchange.

From a technical perspective, Hanword's file formats are designed to preserve high fidelity in document rendering, especially for Korean content. However, due to their proprietary nature, compatibility with non-Hancom applications can be limited, requiring specialized libraries or conversion tools. For IT professionals managing document workflows in multilingual or cross-platform environments, understanding Hanword's format specifications is essential for ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and seamless integration with broader systems.