Why am I getting this error message in my DITA Topic? "Element (concept) is undefined"

Forum|Forum|13 years ago
May 20, 2013
1 reply
1917 views

Frame 11

DITA 1.2

I was finally able to create a DITA topic (rather than a reference, concept, or task). However, when I try to insert a task, concept, or reference element after the prolog, I get the following error message:

Element (concept [or task, or reference]) is undefined.

My Topic general rule looks like this:

title, titlealts?, abstract?, prolog>, body?, related links?, (topic | concept | task | reference)*

in the topic.eddmod.fm and has been imported into topic.edd.fm, and topictemplate.fm in addition to concept.edd.fm, reference.edd.fm and a whole boatload of others and their related templates.

Doesn't my general rule "define" concept, task, and reference? If not, what am I missing?

Thanks in advance all you helpful people.

Marsha

Structured

This topic has been closed for replies.

ScottPrentice

Inspiring

Hi Marsha...

"Element undefined" means that there is no element definition. Just because the element is listed in a general rule doesn't mean that it has an element definition. Is this fixed with your resolution to the other post. The corrupt inset file?

...scott

M

Marsha_LofthouseAuthor

Known Participant

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm obviously in the dark again. Where/how do I *define* the concept, reference, and task elements? Does that mean that they must be listed like the topic element with general rules, attributes, and so on? If so, they are, in the concept.eddmod.fm, reference.eddmod.fm and task.eddmod.fm files.

And, as you have said, DITA 1.2 is a PITA. Every time I think I have it whipped into shape it whips me back.

Marsha

ScottPrentice

Inspiring

Hi Marsha...

Each "Element" node in the EDD is an "element definition" .. the EDD should contain an element definition for each element. The general rule in each element definition specifies the child elements allowed in that element.

If you're getting the message .. "Element SOMENAME is undefined" .. then that element definition is missing from the EDD. Perhaps some other "mod" inset file is corrupt and it's not loading properly.

Note that it's not DITA 1.2 that's a PITA, it's the way the default DITA 1.2 EDDs are set up that's a PITA. It doesn't have to be that way. Just flatten it and you'll be a happier camper. :-)

Cheers,

...scott

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded