How do I make context-sensitive help work?

Report · Jul 26, 2016

I am using RoboHelp 2015. This is the first time in more than 10 years that I have used any version of Robohelp, so I need short, simple answers.

I'm trying to create Webhelp. Each HTML file in the project is specific to a particular module in the software. When you click the help button while module X is on screen, the help should open at the start of the file specific to that module.

I'm trying to use map IDs. I have gone through the RoboHelp online help about doing so. I have created map ID and assigned them to the files. I have a .H file with all the IDS in it. I've given the map IDs to the developers and they have done I'm not sure what with them. I've repeatedly regenerated the Webhelp. It has been installed on the server. Any time a user clicks a help button anywhere on the product GUI, the help opens at the default title page of the Webhelp.

The previous version of the help, which was created by a tech writer who has been gone for years, worked properly. I can't figure out how. It included a CSH.JS file. Do I need to create such a file? If so, how do I use it?

I have spent days searching the posts in the RoboHelp forum for information about using map IDs and none of them address my problem. I just can't get context sensitivity to work at all. I need someone to point me at a video, an article, something that provides detailed do-this-do-that baby-step instructions. When it comes to making context sensitive help I literally don't have a clue what I'm doing, and I need to get this project done quickly.

Is there any such material available anywhere?

Report · Oct 30, 2018

Oh, and in RH2017, I think the automated CSH tool is in the Tools tab. At least, the tooltip sounds similar.

Report · Oct 31, 2018

Hi there,

The IDD_CLOSING... screen name has been tested and does not work. The CSH tool in RH 2017 is also known not to actually work (our C++ software is the necessary 32bit). I can't seem to get any direction on a tool that will auto-query the software and perform the mapping. I've given up. All I will deliver is the files I have without the new mappings. None of the information in the RoboHelp Map file correlates with anything in the software I could find using Spy++ and Winspector. The IDs found for the screens are numeric and a test based on numeric failed also.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Report · Oct 31, 2018

Sorry to hear that your devs weren't more helpful in getting the new topics hooked up. Maybe it's time to change the format from CHM to something like HTML5?