Inspiring

Question

Using RH Search Function

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
December 21, 2016
2 replies
803 views

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)

This topic has been closed for replies.

J

JGaf10311788Author

Inspiring

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

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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