Applicability of the LaTeX-centric workflow to docx-based disciplines

Determine whether the LaTeX-centric, automated workflow for copy editing, production, and metadata capture described for Communications in Cryptology can be feasibly adapted to disciplines in which authors primarily write in Microsoft Word docx format.

Background

The proposed workflow leverages LaTeX to capture structured metadata at compile time and minimize human labor in copy editing and production. By contrast, the docx format provides minimal structured metadata for journal articles, complicating conversion to JATS, HTML, or well-structured PDF without external metadata.

The authors express uncertainty about extending their approach beyond LaTeX-based communities, noting likely human intervention for docx conversions, which conflicts with their goal of minimizing labor.