Converting Word Document into Robohelp format

[Guest]

I am new at Robohelp and have been recently assigned a task to convert several Word documents into Robohelp using version 9 of RoboHelp. Can someone please direct me in the right direction (location, URL, tutorials etc.) to find some step-by-step help, it would be most appreciative

[Captiv8r]

HI there

The first question you need to answer here is this:

Do I simply want to import the Word documents so they become RoboHelp topics and once that happens, I will simply discard the Word documents as if they never existed to begin with?

Or...

Do I want to allow others to make changes to the Word documents later and I'll update RoboHelp as the changes are made?

I ask because there are now two different ways to work with Word content and RoboHelp.

Cheers... Rick

[Guest]

It all depends. These will be released to our clients, so I'm thinking it may have to be the first choice. Linking the document then giving it to the client, I'm not sure if the updates would take.

So lets import the document.

Michael

[RoboColum_n_]

Hi Michael.

Rick asked that question because there IS a method of linking a Word file to a Robohelp project and bringing in any changes to them. It was designed exactly for the scenario where a SME or client writes the content and someone else just acts as a kind of content curator. However if you just want to import the Word file, this is fine also but you'll need to understand that once the content is in RoboHelp, the content would need to be changed in Robohelp.

There is a good tutorial on the benefits of both linking and importing over on Peter Grainge's website (see the link below). This is a very useful resource for all things RoboHelp and well worth bookmarking.

http://www.grainge.org/pages/authoring/importing/about_importing_linking.htm

[Guest]

Is there a site or tutorial that I can follow that starts from point A and takes you through all the steps. I just downloaded the software last week and have never used it before. I have watched several of the TV spots, but those all seem to be specific to a subject.

I need something to show me how to get started (what needs to be done first then second and so on) and move on to the next step. I'm not very technical either so please be patience with me. I can follow directions pretty good.

Thanks for all the responses and help.

Michael

[RoboColum_n_]

I wish I did Rick. I hadn't noticed this was the RH for Word forum. Michael It does seem you are using the RH HTML application. How do you tell? Simple. As Rick says, if you open a RH for Word project Microsoft Word opens along side it and you author in that. With RH HTML all the authoring is done inside the application. It would look something like (but not exactly like) this.

Can you confirm this is what you are using? There are some books you can use to train yourself or you can get classroom led training. Rick could possibly help you there.

[Guest]

I actually have both available to me and that maybe part of the confusion for me. Maybe this will help. All of our help is created and maintained in Word documents. I have 13 different documents that we maintain. The previous person (who I wished would have trained a backup person) use to take the updated versions and convert them to Robohelp format and these then got migrated into our application somehow.

Which version do you suggest I use the RoboHelp HTML or the RoboHelp for Word?

I have tried searching for books but not much luck.

Again thanks for all the help - much appreciated.

[RoboColum_n_]

Definitely use the RH HTML application. RH for Word is really little more than a legacy application used by those poor souls still requiring WinHelp files. In honour of the fact that we live in the 21st century I think you should expounge that application from your memory.

IconLogic do a series of books on RoboHelp versions 8 to 10. Look here: http://www.iconlogic.com/skills-drills-workbooks/adobe.html

[Captiv8r]

I hesitate to mention it as my goal here is only to help, not to solicit business, But since we are on the subject of books and training...

While I'm sure IconLogic would like to think they are the only game in town. (seems they have done a good job of convincing Colum ) I also offer training and books.

I'll be happy to speak with you privately if you are interested.

rstone75 (at) kc (dot) rr (dot) com

Cheers... Rick

[RoboColum_n_]

LOL! I did state above "There are some books you can use to train yourself or you can get classroom led training. Rick could possibly help you there."

Michael. For fear of accusing Rick of being long in the tooth, he is a mammoth in pure RoboHelp terms. Running for cover

[Captiv8r]

LOL, don't make me go all wooly on ya!

Apologies Colum, Didn't see that comment somehow.

Off to lunch with me now! Rick

[Captiv8r]

Hi Michael

I cannot help but to notice that you posted in the RoboHelp for Word forum category. Is this the application you are using? If so, RoboHelp simply uses the Microsoft Word document as the source. There is no linking available that I'm aware of because the document *IS* what you edit.

Only if using the RoboHelp HTML application is the linking possible. (at least, to the best of my knowledge - perhaps Colum knows something I don't - I never claim to know all there is to know about anything)

Cheers... Rick