TXT removes formating, RTF does not.

You can also try this:
When you choose the text file for placing, select “Show Import Options” and then under “Preserve Styles and Formating from Text and Tables” uncheck “Import Inline Graphics”.

You can do it with “Organize pages” within Adobe Acrobat.

IMO, they are so many because they are auto generated.
Make a copy of the document and start playing with tags — delete, merge, create new ones… This way you can learn much more and it will help you remember it better than waiting for somebody’s response. At least, this is my way of learning new stuff.

What is the extension of the XML file?
Do you see these tags in Word or not?
How did you succeed to import the text formated like this in ID?

I think it should work:

Find what: old apostrophe
Change to: the new one

Find Format: the char. style
Change Format: choose the same one

Just press a spacebar key.

What do you mean with: “Why would I want to trim once then trim again?”.

The printer trims the book only once and if the picture you want to be positioned at the margins ends is not outside of page for 3-5mm, than a white space may occure because the trimming is not a very accurate process.