"This help system has no topics"

Report · Jan 29, 2014

Hi all

We're using the trial version of Framemaker 12 as part of the TCS5 suite.

I've been experimenting with the Publish pod to create WebHelp.

I managed to create pretty good help files, and was pleased with the result.

Then I changed a few things (renamed some book files to provide better search results) and now when I generate Webhelp and view the output, "This help system has no topics" appears in the main window.

This happens regardless of whether I generate the book, or a single file. There clearly are topics, which appear in the TOC on the left. When I click an item in the TOC, the help file works fine.

Even when I revert to the original file names, it still happens.

Also, the search function no longer works - it did before.

Any ideas why this is happening?

Thanks in advance

Laura

Report · Jan 29, 2014

Laura,

There is a logfile created (with the same name as the book file, e.g. <bookname>.htm). You might want to have a look at this for some clues. There's a direct link to the log file on the Publish results window as well:

Report · Jan 30, 2014

Hi Arnis

Thanks for replying. Yes, I've looked at the log but it doesn't shed any light for me. Am pasting it in case it gives you any clues.

Output(s) published

WebHelp

Loading Setting...

Converting Source Files...

Scanning Documents...

Finishing

Importing Frame Documents..

Converting "Maintenan....fm"...

Importing Frame Documents..

Building TOC...

Splitting...

Updating Hyperlinks...

Updating Index...

Merging TOC...

Merging Index...

Splitting...

Finished Importing Document

Preparing Output Files...

Started Parsing HTML Topics...

Completed Parsing :

Analysing the Collected Information...

Collecting Information for Output Generation...

Gathering Information for TOC, Index and Glossary...

Gathering Information for HTML Help Project File...

Gathering Information for HTML Topic Properties...

Gathering Information for StyleSheets used in HTML Topics...

Gathering Information for Baggage Files to Include...

Gathering Information for Skins and Layouts used...

Preparing Environment for Final Output Generation...

Generating Output...

Compiling C:\Users\lfergusson\Documents\Sandbox\CustomerDocs\Receiver\FrameMake r Docs\Receiver 4.0 - Copy\web help\Maintenance Tasks-WebHelp\index.html ...

Preparing to create WebHelp...

Preparing files for WebHelp...

Copying files...

Updating files...

Finished preparing in 0 sec(s)

Generating WebHelp

Initializing compiler...

Generating WebHelp 5.00 (12.0.0.327)...

Processing TOC data...

Processing Context-sensitive-Help data...

Error: Failed to process Context-sensitive-Help data...

Updating HTML topics...

Updating NoTopic.htm...

Finished updating HTML topics in 0 sec(s) : total 1 topic(s).

Processing Full-text-search data...

Finished processing Full-Text-Search data in 0 sec(s)

Applying WebHelp 5.00 Template...

Laura

Report · Jan 30, 2014

Laura,

I've checked come logs in sample conversions to WebHelp and the only difference I see in mine (where I get the pages as expected) is that in yours, you have an error towards the end in processing the context-sensitive help data. I didn't have any CSH in my files and no errors, so I'm wondering if this may be the culprit.

You also mention that you renamed a few book files. How exactly did you do this? Using the Book file utilities or at the system level?

Report · Jan 31, 2014

Hi Arnis

I noticed this error, and thought it was very strange as I also don't have any CSH in my files! I changed the file names at the system level then added them to my book btw.

However, the problem seems to have been resolved. I adjusted some settings in the Settings>Navigation pane (Sync table of contents, show Nav Pane link in topics etc) and since then it has been working. I tried to narrow down exactly what it was I did but I cannot get it to break again! I can't see how this would have solved it but it's working now so fingers crossed it stays that way.

Thanks for taking the time to help.

Laura