Existing finding aids - usually in Word, HTML or typescript - have been converted to the EAD format. Templates have been developed which can be used with SGML/XML authoring software like XMetaL, text editors like NoteTab, or word-processors like MS Word. An SGML template for an EAD finding aid is available for downloading. An Address Entity Template is also available.

Retrospective Conversion Guidelines for finding aids have been developed for the Guide, and are available for use.

The DynaText and DynaWeb suite of software, which indexes and formats SGML files so they can be displayed and searched over the Web, has been used for the publication process. DynaWeb is used by the University of Western Australia Library for its Electronic Text Service, as well as by numerous North American libraries for their finding aid databases.

Technical specifications for EAD are contained in the EAD Tag Library.

EAD is based on ISAD(G), published by the International Council on Archives. A copy of ISAD(G) is available here (467k, PDF).