Skip to main content
A
Anonymous
May 20, 2012
Question

Multiple Columns in MiniTOC

  • May 20, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 1322 views

In RoboHelp 9, I know the MiniTOC is pretty much locked down tight so that it's manipulation is quite limited, but is there a way to create a minitoc that displays the items in columns? Some topics have many headings that are included in the MiniTOC and it becomes quite unruly to display the MiniTOC and be presented with a list of 100 or more options in a single column. Can this be modified?

If not, can I use JavaScript to accomplish the same task? Will RoboHelp display a JavaScript created MiniTOC in a CHM and in WebHelp outputs? Of course, I still need to figure out how to do it correctly in JavaScript, but I know there is a way, I just haven't mastered it yet.

Thanks!

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    1 reply

    johndaigle
    johndaigle
    Legend
    May 20, 2012

    Hi, mcallit82

    I'm not aware of splitting the MiniTOC in two columns. However, I'm familiar with a technique where you create a two column table (no borders) with a narrow column on the left and place the MiniTOC there running down beside the Topic text which has been placed in the right hand column. With frequent "Back to Top" links, this can be a very handy way for the user to navigate a long topic. (This works in a CHM as well.)

    I am not personally a scriptor, but many RoboHelpers add Javascript by going,  Insert > HTML > Advanced > Script command to add the js code to the topic. A .js file can also be added to Baggage.

    Willam van Weelden, our resident scripting and css expert is pretty busy now, but he might chime in with some thoughts on this.

    Other than that, if you have a hundred(!) I'd be inclined to seriously rethink the length of the topic :-)

    John Daigle

    Adobe Certified RoboHelp and Captivate Instructor

    Evergreen, Colorado

    www.showmethedemo.com

    John DaigleAdobe Certified RoboHelp and Captivate InstructorNewport, Oregon
    A
    Anonymous
    May 20, 2012

    Thanks, but doing the table isn't really the appearance we want to go with. Unfortunately, with the way things are set up, some topics are incredibly long and we can't break them up without causing confusion.

    Captiv8r
    Captiv8r
    Legend
    May 21, 2012

    Hi there

    Just a possible suggestion for a workaround. I know the Mini TOC is incredibly cool, but something like this requires a bit more effort and "thinking outside the box".

    One thing you could do would be to insert bookmarks at each heading you would link to. Then insert a Related Topics control that points to all the bookmarks. Configure the control to display in a "Topics Found" window. This would provide a reasonable window presenting all the links to the bookmarks.

    Following on that same stream of conciousness, you could also create a table at the top of the topic and insert links as you want to see them in separate colums.

    I'll close by strongly suggesting you file a WishForm to ask Adobe to enhance our customizing options for the Mini TOC. (Link to the form is in my sig)

    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

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices