Inspiring

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Using RH Search Function

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Hi,

For a few years now, I've successfully incorporated Zoom search into documentation generated by RH, using the javascript method. I now need to improve the search function beyond the limitations of the javascript method, so I thought I'd look again at the search feature that comes with RH.

I haven't been able to find the answers or options to do the following:

1. Let the user limit their search to 2 out of 3 content categories. At the very least, I want to exclude the "appendix" content category from the main search, but still have a separate appendix search if the user chooses. Can users only search one category at a time?

2. How do I get the TOC TITLES to display in the search results - and NOT the filename? This one is really annoying me., displaying filenames is ugly.

3. How do I get meaningful descriptions to display in the search results - and not, by default, the first text of the files which often includes the "return to top" script I have on each page.

4. Can I display the RH search function within the content pane and therefore NOT hide the TOC? How do users know where this file is within the context of the TOC? Can I display breadcrumbs instead?

5. Has anyone who uses Zoom + RH, successfully switched from javascript to CGI "on a CD" using their FlyingAnt product?

Thanks in advance!

RH Webhelp 11.0.4.291

Zoom Search 6 (1028)

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J

JGaf10311788Author

Inspiring

Thanks everyone to your tips and helpful information. Just don't know why RH search is so sloppy....

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Peter Grainge

Community Expert

1. Let the user limit their search to 2 out of 3 content categories. At the very least, I want to exclude the "appendix" content category from the main search, but still have a separate appendix search if the user chooses. Can users only search one category at a time?

I believe I showed on my site how to create a page with multiple search buttons, each one pointing to a search of specific topics. The only way in RoboHelp that I can think of is to use Dynamic Filtering. If the user applies a filter first, their search will be limited to that.

2. How do I get the TOC TITLES to display in the search results - and NOT the filename? This one is really annoying me., displaying filenames is ugly.

I have just checked the sample projects in RoboHelp 2015 and they show the titles.

3. How do I get meaningful descriptions to display in the search results - and not, by default, the first text of the files which often includes the "return to top" script I have on each page.

I don't think that is a RoboHelp option.

4. Can I display the RH search function within the content pane and therefore NOT hide the TOC? How do users know where this file is within the context of the TOC? Can I display breadcrumbs instead?

That can be done with the responsive layouts.

5. Has anyone who uses Zoom + RH, successfully switched from javascript to CGI "on a CD" using their FlyingAnt product?

I haven't used the CGI method or Flying Ant. Maybe it will work on this "server".http://www.helpandmanual.com/hm2go.html

Download Help+Manual 2 Go, a free local WebHelp server, perfect for Webhelp testing

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring information

@petergrainge

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J

JGaf10311788Author

Inspiring

Thanks for the quick reply, Peter!

1. Let the user limit their search to 2 out of 3 content categories. At the very least, I want to exclude the "appendix" content category from the main search, but still have a separate appendix search if the user chooses. Can users only search one category at a time?

==I believe I showed on my site how to create a page with multiple search buttons, each one pointing to a search of specific topics. The only way in RoboHelp that I can think of is to use Dynamic Filtering. If the user applies a filter first, their search will be limited to that.

=====I'm using webhelp and the only dynamic filtering I could find reference to was in responsive....so maybe I need to look into that.

2. How do I get the TOC TITLES to display in the search results - and NOT the filename? This one is really annoying me., displaying filenames is ugly.

==I have just checked the sample projects in RoboHelp 2015 and they show the titles.

=====Ok, so my mistake. My "titles" are also the filenames.....yea, maybe I should change those once and for all. I will if I decide to quit Zoom...

3. How do I get meaningful descriptions to display in the search results - and not, by default, the first text of the files which often includes the "return to top" script I have on each page.

==I don't think that is a RoboHelp option.

======and neither is "exclude this from search" (zoomstop) apparently.....

4. Can I display the RH search function within the content pane and therefore NOT hide the TOC? How do users know where this file is within the context of the TOC? Can I display breadcrumbs instead?

==That can be done with the responsive layouts.

=====Ok, see my response to your 1st comment. Maybe I should look into responsive layouts. How does one deal with content categories using responsive layouts?? I have 3 categories: User, Installation and an Appendix. ech.

As far as trying a different "server" other than flying ant, I really like to keep things all in the family if I can. It's good when or if there are issues so that they are not able to point their fingers to "the other software" and so begins my merry-go-round :-) There's a bit of learning curve with flying ant for me..

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