Import PDF Documents into RoboHelp

Forum|Forum|14 years ago
February 7, 2012
4 replies
1549 views

I'm attempting to import a PDF file (I've tested with several different files and none of them are protected); however, when I select "Create new topic(s) based on style(s)", I receive the error message, "Due to the complex formatting of the selected PDF file, you must choose the option to "Convert as absolutely positioned HTML."

I then attempted to import it with the option "Create new topic for each PDF page" - "Convert as absolutely positioned HTML" and I receive a "Failed to Convert" error message. I've attempted all of the conversion options, but continue to receive error messages.

Guidance on how to successfully import a PDF file into my RoboHelp project would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Nikki

This topic has been closed for replies.

Peter Grainge

Community Expert

I cover the Word import in detail and it is substantially the same process to the best of my knowledge. Happy to be corrected.

________________________________________________________
See www.grainge.org for free Authoring and RoboHelp Information

Use the menu (bottom right) to mark the Best Answer or Highlight particularly useful replies. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here.

Peter Grainge

Community Expert

Sorry, brain in back to front today. Look in the TOC under Authoring. It's covered there. Then come back with specifics.

________________________________________________________
See www.grainge.org for free Authoring and RoboHelp Information

Use the menu (bottom right) to mark the Best Answer or Highlight particularly useful replies. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here.

Peter Grainge

Community Expert

@albertt78389730 The post was nine years ago so the answer would be different in the current version. When you respond to @Jeff_Coatsworth include the version of RoboHelp that you are using.

This topic may help with 2020. RH2020 PDF Output (grainge.org)

________________________________________________________
See www.grainge.org for free Authoring and RoboHelp Information

Use the menu (bottom right) to mark the Best Answer or Highlight particularly useful replies. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here.

A

albertt78389730

Participating Frequently

I do not want to output a pdf. I want to import a pdf because importing a FrameMaker file is a mess.

Jeff_Coatsworth

Community Expert

@albertt78389730 - I thought you had resolved the FM to RH import problem over in this thread - https://community.adobe.com/t5/robohelp-discussions/can-not-import-framemaker-version-16-0-3-979-files-into-version-2020-6-76/m-p/12498794#M141418
If you haven't, then I would suggest continuing with that thread and see what's happening with that process. Peter's site doesn't address the import of a PDF into RH (as far as I can see) but it would probably be more of a mess I suspect (unless you went the FM > PDF > Word > RH route - maybe?)

Captiv8r

Legend

Welcome to our community

As you have seen, sometimes the manner in which a PDF has been created doesn't lend itself to easily importing into RoboHelp.

As with anything import-wise, I always admonish my class participants that a decision needs to be made regarding the content you want. You need to answer the following questons:

Do I want to simply import and afterwards forget that the file I'm importing ever existed as (PDF, Word, Whatever) and from here forward, I will only ever make updates to content using RoboHelp?

Do I want to simply present a PDF leaving it as PDF and not converting to a RoboHelp topic.

Do I want to continue making edits using Word or whatever and have RoboHelp pull in the changes?

The way you answer these questions will determine the way you need to work with the content. For example, often you simply want to present a PDF and you really don't care to edit the content later, just add the PDF as a Baggage File and link to it. If it changes later, simply replace the existing file with the new one and all will be well.

Hopefully this was helpful... Rick