errors when generating html file

Report · May 15, 2009

Hi

I am new to the forum. I am trying the new version of RobHelp for word. I work in an xp environment. I receive the following errors "address not valid" and "navigation to web page cancelled." I searched adobe web site and other RoboHelp forums and could not find the solution.

Please help me while I use this trial version.

thanks

Caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

Hi Caryn and welcome to the RH community but we'll need a little more detail to help you. Am I right that you are using the RH 8 trial and can you tell us what type of output you are producing. Also exactly where are you getting these errors.

Read the RoboColum(n) for mutterings on RoboHelp, Technical Communication Suite and technical communication.

Report · May 15, 2009

Column

Thanks for your reply. Adobe wont help me without a fee. I chose html format and I can generate no problem but receive error when I view the output.

I dont see my pages for my topics.

thanks

Caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

For output folder and file name, can it be a different location from where I installed robohelp? It does not matter, does it?

this is my server location X:\RoboHelp Sample Billing Help File\Tier Billing HelpFile\Tier Billing Sample HelpFile\!SSL!\Microsoft_HTML_Help\Tier-Billing-Sample-HelpFile.chm

Also, I can generate .pdf format no problem.

Caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

Three things:

The path to your project is on an X drive. Is this a network drive? If so you should be made aware that a MS security patch makes it next to impossible to run CHMs on a network drive. Move it to a local drive and you should be OK.
Why are you using RH for Word to produce a CHM. As Rick Stone says it is like mixing oil and water. Most RH users left RH for Word behind long ago. Try using the RH HTML application to produce your CHM. It is a tool designed specifically for the purpose.
If you follwo the advice of my previous point, note that you should never have your RH projects open on a network drive. If you do, you risk corrupted projects. By all means backup to a network drive but most of us have a folder off our C: drive (e.g. c:\source) to contain all our projects.

Read the RoboColum(n) for mutterings on RoboHelp, Technical Communication Suite and technical communication.

Report · May 15, 2009

Colum,

1. If I dont map to a nework drive, can the developers still create map ID's and display my help file with our application? How and where would they do that?

2. I asked Adobe which program I should use and they were no help. Even their web site does not explain the differences and which one to use. I dont think RoboHelp for HTML offers single sourcing, not sure. The RoboHelp for HTML looks totally different. Would I be able to open my existing project there?

3. Also,l I am not sure if I should ouptut to html. Right now, we have Captivate files I might include later on, even though I know they are not flash. They dont program in java. This is not a .net environment yet, maybe in the future. Which format should I use?

Your thoughts

Caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

You'l have to bear with me as far as RH for Word is concerned as I haven't created any map files in that application for nearly ten years! Your developers can create a map file in notepad if they wish and shouldn't need RH at all. Personally I've always found it easier and less confusing for us writers if we produce the map file and give that to the developers to code the mapid into the application.

I hear what you say about Adobe support but if you are familiar with MS Word you should be able to do the basics inode RH HTML. The interface is different in some respects but it also has a less steep learning curve than other apps. You'll also be using a tool fit for purpose and less likely to hit problems later on.

I'm not sure what you mean by "they don't program in Java". You can use RH HTML to produce your help file (including captivate movies) and generate the help regardless of the application you are writing for. Are you saying your application is written in Java? If so, a CHM is fine.

Read the RoboColum(n) for mutterings on RoboHelp, Technical Communication Suite and technical communication.

Report · May 15, 2009

ok I decided to change my format to flash for my output. It works on my hard drive. I cant get it to display past my first page in internet explorer. Now I am getting adobe flash errrors regading the settings. I had another employee try to help me with no luck. I am supposed to click on an image and change the settings. I only have text and not getting the proper options when I right click.

I am attaching the error.

Please help me

thanks

Caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

Hi there

If you want us to see your images, DON'T ATTACH THEM!!!! Insert them inline. More is at this link.

You may need to follow the steps outlined in the tutorial at the link below.

Click here to view

Cheers... Rick

Report · May 15, 2009

Hi

I can generate a flash file on my company server now. thanks. I am trying to map id's for the first time. I am automatically generating them thru RoboHelp for word. What I can't locate in the help is where you type your content and map it to an ID number.

Please help

thanks

Caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

Hi there

Ouch. RoboHelp for Word. Good luck with that! Sorry, can't help you there. Haven't touched that product in more years than I care to remember.

Hopefully someone else can help.

Cheers... Rick

Report · May 15, 2009

Why what do you use?

Caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

I use RoboHelp HTML. Have been since the moment I began creating HTML content. It just makes sense to use something designed to work with HTML. And Word isn't. There are a number of features that are drop dead simple in RoboHelp HTML that make you scratch your head and scream in anguish with RoboHelp for Word.

Cheers... Rick

Report · May 16, 2009

If you insist in bashing your head against RH for Word - and I remember correctly (it has been awhile) - you assing the mapids to the topics in the topic properties. Try right clicking on a topic and you'll find the topic properties menu item. I can't remember exactly where to assign the mapid but I think it is in there somewhere. Maybe the built in help file will help?

Read the RoboColum(n) for mutterings on RoboHelp, Technical Communication Suite and technical communication.

Report · May 28, 2009

To assign the Map id's to the topics you need to go to the Project Set-Up Pod -> Context Sensitive Help -> Map Files -> Double click "All Map ID's"

- Then in the drop down box at the top you select the " *.h " file -> then select the Map ID that you wish to use from the box below, and select the topic you want to link it to in the window to the right, and click the "Assign" button.

Report · May 28, 2009

Thanks I figured that out last week

Caryn Drovie

Report · May 18, 2009

I am not familiar with RoboHelp for HTML? How do I know .html format will work in our environment and making sure our clients can access the help no problem. I like the Flash format so far in Robohelp for word.

Also, how do you access the help in RoboHelp for HTML the format is different?

Thanks

Caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

My husband helped me.. figured it out!

Thanks

caryn

Report · May 15, 2009

But, I am trying to map id's for the first time. I am automatically generating the ID numbers.

I cant find where I actually type the content for each map id?

Can you please help me with that?

Thanks

Caryn

Report · Aug 05, 2009

how do i close a thread?

thanks

Caryn

Report · Aug 05, 2009

You apparently elected to post this as a discussion instead of a question. There is no "Close Thread" option I'm aware of. If you like, I can invoke a special incantation to lock it for you.

Cheers... Rick

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Report · Aug 05, 2009

I am still learning how to use this forum. I don't see explanations on how to close out discussions or questions.

I believe I shold only have one that still is open - in flash help - otherwise, the other ones are answered.

thanks

Caryn

Report · Aug 05, 2009

No worries - Even those of us that act as moderators are still learning!

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links

RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form

Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 or 8 within the day - $24.95!

Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training

SorcerStone Blog

RoboHelp eBooks

Report · Jan 11, 2010

Hi All

I am creating a new on line help project now and receiving one of the same errors as before. I am still using Robohelp for HTML and creating .chm file.

The map id's are all entered. When I press F1 in some of my forms to access the helo, I still receive the "This program cannot display webpage." I looked at my previous posting here and did not find what I believe is needed to resolve this error. Why would some of my forms work and some don't if they all share the same files where my application resides in my C drive? The only item new added is the developers added a "?" that you can press the "?" and F1 key to access my "overview" page for each form. But that does not affect the field level help that is not working.

what else can I check? Developers get same results as me.

Please help

thanks

Caryn

Report · Jan 11, 2010

Hi All

I figured out what i was doing wrong.

I was assigning some of my map id's to the wrong html pages.

Working fine now.

Thanks any ways

Caryn