Which of the following is NOT a common transcript format used for digital court transcripts?

• A. Final PDF
• B. Editable Word/RTF draft
• C. Structured XML or E-Transcript formats
• D. Image slides

Answer: (D)

In digital court reporting, the transcript is kept in formats that preserve text, structure, and metadata so it can be searched, edited, and exchanged reliably. A final PDF is a common end product because it locks in formatting and page numbers for an official record. An editable Word or RTF draft is used during production to allow attorneys and reporters to make corrections before finalization. Structured XML or E-Transcript formats are designed for machine readability and interoperability, carrying precise tags for speakers, timestamps, exhibits, and other metadata. Image slides, however, are built for visual presentation and render content as static images, which makes exact transcription, searchability, and metadata handling impractical. For these reasons, slides are not a typical format for a digital court transcript, whereas the other formats serve the core needs of accuracy, accessibility, and interoperability.