How do I decide what version of RoboHelp to use?

[Ocean5623]

I've been tasked with putting together the help files for the 2.0 version of our company's software.

I have RoboHelp 7.  I have the PREVIOUS current help files created in RoboHelp for version 2.1 of our software, some of which will be re-used.

I can't determine whether it was RoboHelp Word or RoboHelp HTML that was used to create the ORIGINAL help files.

How do I figure that out?  How do I import previous help files into a new project so they can be re-used or modified and then re-used?

Thanks! 

[Peter Grainge]

RoboHelp HTML projects will have an XPJ file in the root.

RoboHelp for Word projects will have an HPJ file in the root.

If you want help compatible with Chrome and other modern browsers, you need to consider an upgrade from Rh7 HTML. I am not sure if the outputs from later versions of RoboHelp for Word are compatible or whether they have been left behind. Post back if you find you are using RoboHelp for Word.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[Ocean5623]

Peter, thanks for your response!

I found a folder called 'current help files' on our network drive.  I tried right-clicking on some of these files to see if I could view either of the root files you mentioned, and I don't see either of them listed.

The person who did this work before is no longer with our company, so I don't have anyone here to ask questions of.

Any clue as to what I might be missing?

[Captiv8r]

Sounds like you might be able to use a class and some consulting!

[Ocean5623]

Very likely, yes.  Not in the current corporate cards, however.

[Ocean5623]

An addendum...what is this file, e.g.?......cshdat_robohelp

[Peter Grainge]

Can you post a screenshot of "current help files" in Windows Explorer with some expanded folders? When you click Reply in the web forum, you will see a camera icon that enables you to upload the image.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[Ocean5623]

Here you go...

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

that kind of looks like output help files, not a project

[Peter Grainge]

That is only part of a webhelp output and useless on its own.

What you really need is access to author's machine or wherever it was backed up to. If you cannot track that down, you are going to need someone on site or via a web session to sort things out.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[Captiv8r]

Hi all

Certainly these are output files.

If you look at the address bar of the image, you can clearly see that they have dropped into the WHDATA folder and are viewing the XML files produced by WebHelp or FlashHelp. The start page for the project should be found in the folder just above that one. Named "latest help file".

By examining the HTML code of the files produced, it *MAY* be possible to deduce whether RoboHelp for Word or RoboHelp HTML was used to create the content. But that point is really moot as if you don't have access to the source content you are faced with reverse engineering what is there.

I believe fellow Community Professional Willam VanWeelden offers a script for sale to reverse engineer the content.

Click here for that

And fellow Community Professional Peter Grainge has a page on his site dedicated to reverse engineering.

Click here for that

Cheers... Rick

[Ocean5623]

Rick, Peter, et al...

Thank you.  I suspected these were output files.  SO far, I have been unable to find the source content files.  So reverse engineering may be in order.

[Peter Grainge]

It is highly likely they were on the PC used by the previous author. Given the work in reverse engineering webhelp, I would go for Willam's script. You do of course need the full webhelp, not just bits like you found.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[Ocean5623]

Peter, et al...

I was able to find out that the original files were created (in 2006) with RoboHelp HTML.

I am typing this from the computer used by the person who authored/updated those files.

SO far, I'm not finding anything re original files.

Would they end with a particular (ex:  .hlp) extension?

In the files referenced above, I found an Internet Explorer file that can be clicked on, and then shows the entire index/contents of the help file.

When I try to open that in RoboHelp 7 HTML, I can see the top three file folders in the screen shot I posted above (whdata, whgdata, whxdata).  When I attempt to open any of those folders in RH, it tell me they're empty.  They're not empty.

Thank you in advance for your responses!  I'm a complete newbie to this software/application (I'm sure that obvious).

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Project files <> help output

You can't use help output files in your RH project without doing the reverse engineering as mentioned before.

Hopefully you can spot some .xpj files or locate a \!SSL!\ folder - that's the place where RH uses to created the various flavours of help output; backing up one level from the \!SSL!\ folder should put you in the RH project folder.

[Ocean5623]

Jeff,

THAT'S what I needed.  Thank you!

I searched our network drive for .xpf files and came up with the originally authored files!

Question:  Can I import those files into a NEW RH project?  I will want to reuse some of them, and others need to be modified for version 2.0.  I DON'T want to modify the original project files, because those files may be needed while our version 1.0 is still up and running.

[Captiv8r]

Hi there

Personally, I think I would begin by copying the folder you found. Then open the copy of the project and rename it and modify it as desired. That would seem the most efficient route.

Also, perhaps it was a typo, but the main project file has an XPJ extension, not XPF.

Cheers... Rick

[Ocean5623]

Yes, I meant .xpj........ ......

I shall do as you suggest re modification of the files.  Thanks!