I have a legacy powerpoint file that I want to import to Confluence.

[mark]

My powerpoint file has simple graphics and links to Word documents, and these Word document have links to more word documents.     This method works fine in Microsoft explorer, but I cannot easily search the entire document system.    I'm hoping to construct a Confluence method, where I move all these  Microsoft documents to Confluence, and their links to modernize this documentation. 

a high priority is  Searching the entire combined document (PowerPoint, links from powerPoint to Word parent subjects, links from parent Word document to child Word documents).    In other words, Iafter creating the right document structure I ant to search all these linked documents with one search command.     I want to keep details as links, as this allows the user to dive deeper to the details or ignore the links

where do i begin.

[Kristian Klima]

Hi @mark and welcome to the Community.

If I understand correctly, you have a trove of word documents that are interlinked among themselves + contain links to powerpoint docs.

In other words, you want to migrate your word-based documentation to Confluence.

Step one

I'd start with transfering word documents to Confluence pages - one word doc for one Confluence page. You can either try copy/paste or import word documents (create new page then follow the picture

You may need to fix formatting and such but that's the case for ANY migration between any two tools.

Step two

Once you have all the docs in Confluence, you can start recreating links.

Basically, go page by page and replace links to word docs with links to your new Confluence pages.

If you do it properly, your links will be a) permanent, b) dynamic = if you change the linked page title, the link will update automatically.

Here's how to create such links:

I recommend tweaking the wording around the links to: For more information about XYZ, see Linked page title.

Step three

Powerpoint files - you can either attach them directly to Confluence pages or... convert them to Google slides and embed them using an iframe macro. Macros are preformated ready-made functional elements that enhance your docs. You bring them up by typing / (forward slash) or clicking + Insert Elements in the toolbar in the edit mode.

Step four

Organize your Confluence pages into a structure that makes sense for you.

Search

Search on Confluence (cloud which I presume you're using) works really well and there are many ways how to enhace it - reduce scope, use labels, etc.

Mandatory reading :) 

I wrote a little blog here about building a doc site on Confluence.