Formatmigration

Format migration is the process of converting digital content from one file format to another to ensure long-term accessibility, interoperability, and data preservation. It can apply to documents, images, datasets, multimedia, and software configurations.

The rationale includes obsolescence of software, changing standards and platforms, and legal or institutional requirements. It also aims to facilitate access, reduce dependency on proprietary formats, and improve searchability.

Methodology involves lossless migration, which preserves all information, and lossy migration, where some data may be discarded in the process. Techniques include automated batch conversion, metadata preservation, validation, integrity checks, and preservation of provenance.

Challenges include potential data loss, fidelity issues, complexity of formats, handling of metadata and structural relationships, and legal or rights concerns.

In digital preservation, format migration is a core tactic alongside emulation and format upgrading to counter obsolescence. Typical workflows include inventory, evaluation, selecting target formats, conversion, quality assurance, and documentation.

Examples include converting legacy documents to PDF/A, converting proprietary CAD formats to open neutral formats, and converting archival images from TIFF to PNG or JPEG.