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Inspiring
September 28, 2012
Question

Conditional Build RH9

  • September 28, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 2086 views

I am applying conditional build tags to several topics. I have two separate publishing destinations for Webhelp output. One should display the tagged topics, and the other should not. It appears as though I have to go in there and change the settings each time I publish.

There are two Content Categories in Webhelp Settings:

  • "Underwriting,"  the default for our internal online help. I created a Single Source Layout path to publish it to the "Internal" file directory. When I want to publish here, I check the INTERNAL server in Webhelp Settings > Publish.
  • "Brokers," the version that has to have several topics blocked. I set it up to publish to the "Broker" file directory. When I want to publish here, I check the EXTERNAL server in Webhelp Settings > Publish.

The Broker content category has the conditional tag "NOT Brokers." The Underwriting content category does not have any conditional tags.

The only way it seems to work properly is if I go into Content Categories and set the default to Brokers, and then go into Publish and check the external server. Then I have to go in and change the default back to Underwriting and go into Publish to select the internal server.

Is there any way to set this up so Robohelp knows what goes where without me having to fiddle with the defaults and publishing settings every single time? Ideally, I would like to be able to check both the internal and the external file server on the Publish screen and upload them both at once, and have the correct data blocked from the external drive. Is this possible?

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    1 reply

    Captiv8r
    Legend
    September 28, 2012

    Hi there

    It seems that maybe you aren't understanding how the Content Categories feature works.

    What you do is to configure a situation where multiple types of content exist in your project. This might be using Conditional Build Tags (CBT) to exclude certain topics from the build and it might simply be that you have different Tables of Contents and Indices in use.

    If using CBT to control topics, you then need to configure the proper Build Expression in each of the Content Categories you define. If using different TOCs and Indices, you also specify the TOC or Index you want affiliated with each Content Category.

    When you generate, you end up with that drop-down list that lets your user choose which set of content to view.

    Cheers... Rick

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    Inspiring
    September 28, 2012

    I don't want external customers to select a view from a dropdown list that allows them to see certain topics. So I guess what I'm asking for is functionality that assigns visibility to a topic when I say so. You're saying Robohelp doesn't do this unless I go through the steps of changing the settings and the publishing destination each time. Am I correct?

    Captiv8r
    Legend
    September 28, 2012

    Hello again

    That's correct. If you want certain information excluded and in no way found, you exclude it with a CBT and a build expression, create that output and point them only to that output. It's like restricting them to one room in your house.

    Where the Content Categories might be useful would perhaps be in a call center that specializes in geographical areas. You have an overall category where the entire United States is visible, then you have other categories in the drop-down that allow filtering to only Central, West or East regions. That helps eliminate the "clutter" of things they may not be interested in.

    Cheers... Rick

    Helpful and Handy Links

    RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form

    Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day!

    Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training

    SorcerStone Blog

    RoboHelp eBooks