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ttrujillo
Participating Frequently
July 13, 2011
Answered

How can I add custom toolbar buttons to load different TOCs?

  • July 13, 2011
  • 1 reply
  • 1613 views

In my WebHelp output, I want to have custom buttons on the toolbar that when clicked load a specific TOC in the left navigation pane. For example, when the user clicks the PC button, the PC TOC loads in the left pane. When the user clicks the VM button, the VM TOC loads in the left pane. All of the help files are managed in one project and some files will appear in both TOCs.

I think this should be possible but not sure how to make it happen. Is there some JavaScript that I should add to the custom toolbar item to load the TOC on click? How do I specify the TOC that I want to show for each button?

BTW - I'm using RoboHelp 8 (8.0.2) to generate WebHelp output. Thanks in advance for your help!

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Correct answer Captiv8r

Hi there

If you were to upgrade to RoboHelp 9 it would simplify your issue. Version 9 offers a new feature called Dynamic User-Centric Content (DUCC) and provides a nifty little drop-down selector in the Navigation Mini-toolbar.

As you are on version 8 the only way I can fathom you would manage this is by generating two different outputs. Each output would use its respective TOC. The Toolbar button in each project could be configured to open the other project.

You might first decry having to manage two outputs and all the files. But if you pick apart DUCC and the way it is configured by Adobe, it works in much the same manner. It's just hidden from your initial view.

Cheers... Rick

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1 reply

Captiv8r
Captiv8rCorrect answer
Brainiac
July 13, 2011

Hi there

If you were to upgrade to RoboHelp 9 it would simplify your issue. Version 9 offers a new feature called Dynamic User-Centric Content (DUCC) and provides a nifty little drop-down selector in the Navigation Mini-toolbar.

As you are on version 8 the only way I can fathom you would manage this is by generating two different outputs. Each output would use its respective TOC. The Toolbar button in each project could be configured to open the other project.

You might first decry having to manage two outputs and all the files. But if you pick apart DUCC and the way it is configured by Adobe, it works in much the same manner. It's just hidden from your initial view.

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links

RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form

Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day!

Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training

SorcerStone Blog

RoboHelp eBooks

A
Anonymous
July 27, 2011

Your answer was promising. I'm working in v. 7 (9 is on the way soon, I think, but not soon enough for the current project). I understand the concept of creating multiple outputs. I need the next step, i.e., how to configure the button to open its corresponding output. AND are you using the word "output" and "project" interchangeably? I'm "assuming" both words refer to a unique "single source layout" for each TOC? And just to be clear, is this concept limited to just one button/TOC/layout? My project managers are requesting several buttons that link to corresponding TOCs (subsets of the master TOC). I'm assuming that the concept and steps for creating the unique layout and linking to the corresponding button would be the same regardless of how many buttons you have in the custom toolbar?

Peter Grainge
Peter Grainge
Community Expert
July 27, 2011

Whose answer?

It should be possible to have different buttons for different projects but each button will need the full set so that users can hop around. That has the feel of something that could get messy and I think I would push for 9 sooner and do it that way.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

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