MS Word read modify write

[GeckoNZ]

I've tried reading an MS Word document fread(), replacing text e.g. <<Placeholder>> with a str_replace() and writing it back. A bit like a poor man's mailmerge. But the document isn't readable after the operation. I've tried the same thing with a text editor and replacing just 1 character has the same effect.

I was probably a bit optimistic that it might be that simple. I assume I upset a CRC check or the like.

Any suggestions.

 

[karlotto]

Try this:
<?php
// Read/write/modify MSWordfile //
// By Karl Otto Sostack, karlos(at)johnsen-offset.dk //
function read_word($filename, $word, $replacement)
{
$fh = fopen($filename, &quot;rb&quot;
$filecontent = fread($fh, 268435455); //256 kB filesize
fclose($fh);
unlink($filename);
$fh = fopen($filename, &quot;ab+&quot;
$filecontent = str_replace($word, $replacement, $filecontent);
fwrite($fh, $filecontent);
fclose($fh);
read_word(&quot;./testword.doc&quot;, &quot;This&quot;, &quot;That&quot;
?>