Abstract: A translation mechanism translates between a word processing document and an XML file. The translation facility may translate the word processing document into the XML file and, conversely, may translate the XML file into the word processing document. The mechanism may be partially integrated into a word processing package so that the translation from word processing document to XML file may be performed via the user interface provided by the word processing package. The translation mechanism is extensible and flexible so as to be able to translate different varieties of document types. The translation is performed automatically by a computer system or other electronic device and eliminates the need for the user to be familiar with the syntax of XML.