Hyperlink Issue in Older Generated HTML File - RoboHelp Version 2022.4.179

[zachary_0304]

Hi everyone,

I am using RoboHelp Version 2022.4.179. I have an older generated HTML file where a hyperlink is not working, although it presumably worked before my tenure. I also have newer versions of the project files. When I copied the older project files to a new folder, the hyperlink worked. The same applies to the newer version, but my focus is on the older version.

I cleared the cache by running the HTML for the older version of the project in a Private window on a different browser. How can I get the hyperlink to work on the older version, which is also available to the public?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

I'm unclear if you're referring to output or the RH project files in all of this. Maybe some screenshots explaining what's happening & where might be more useful.

[zachary_0304]

This is referring to the Robohelp Generated HTML files for my Project (if I am off on the exact terminology please correct me for future use). When I select the original Robohelp generated HTML file (from the Project), it functioned and I chose from the menu "Veriato Cerebral Help".

The result is a blank screen:

Its HTML hyperlink code is "<a href="https://help.veriato.com/products/cerebral/en/v93/" title="Open and Search the Cerebral Knowledge Base">Veriato Cerebral Help (v9.3.x)</a> </p>"
When I copied the entire Project with its folders to a new, now-public folder I get the same menu as above in the first screenshot, and same (presumably) hyperlink works as seen below:

How can I get the original folder's HTML file's hyperlink to work? Thanks.

[Peter Grainge]

Let me get this right.

• You have an old CHM file that has a broken link. 
• You have a CHM created in 2022.4 where that same link works correctly.
• You want to make the old version of the CHM work correctly.

So far so good?

What isn't clear is whether the old version was created in a new UI version of RoboHelp or a Classic version. Either way, ideally you are going to need the source files for that old version so do you have a backup? If not, RoboHelp cannot edit old CHMs. 

The only other way that might work is to use a Zip program such as 7 Zip and unzip the CHM. A CHM is really a zip file with a different extension to tell Windows it is a help file. From there you can edit the topic and then rezip it. For simple edit like this it should be fine. Backup the original first and test it thoroughly.

________________________________________________________

My site www.grainge.org includes many free Authoring and RoboHelp resources that may be of help.

[zachary_0304]

I was not referring to CHM files,  but a Robohelp Generated HTML file with a broken hyperlink. Sorry, I am probably off the precise terminology for the Robohelp files.

When the entire Project was copied into a new folder as seen below, the hyperlink works.

I don't know if old version was created in a new UI version of RoboHelp or a Classic version.

Take a look at my reply to the previous response, because I included the steps with screenshots and should (ideally) clarify my query. Thanks.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Where should that link from the first screenshot go to? It appears it's opening the index page of the frameless HTML5 page.

[zachary_0304]

I thought I posted this yesterday, but I believe the first screenshot should go to "https://help.veriato.com/products/cerebral/en/v93/" which is the index page of the frameless HTML5 page. That works successfully with the Robohelp project in the new folder but not in the old folder. Am I understanding and answering your question accurately? Thanks.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Not sure what you refer to as the "new folder" vs the "old folder" - is this talking about where it is placed on the webserver? The main question is - does it work when generated locally? That first screenshot looks like a TOC that points to other topics - is it being generated by the RH project or is this a merged project scenario?

[zachary_0304]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your response and for seeking clarification. Let me provide more details to help resolve this issue.

1. Clarification on Folders:

   • Old Folder: This is the original location of the RoboHelp generated HTML files on the webserver where the Cerebral hyperlink is not working.
   • New Folder: This is a new location where I copied the entire project, including all its folders, which is currently not publicly accessible where the Cerebral hyperlink is working.

2. Issue Description:

   • The hyperlink in the older generated HTML file does not work when accessed from the old folder on the webserver.
   • The same hyperlink works when the project is copied to the new folder and accessed from there.

3. Steps Taken:

   • Cleared the cache by testing the HTML file in a Private window on a different browser.
   • Verified that the hyperlink points to "https://help.veriato.com/products/cerebral/en/v93/", which is the index page of the frameless HTML5 page.

4. Additional Information:

   • The first screenshot shows the TOC that points to other topics, generated by the RH project.
   • The issue persists only in the old folder, not in the new folder.

Could you please advise on what might be causing the hyperlink to fail in the old folder and how I can resolve this? Does it have to do with the webserver settings or the way the project was generated?

Thank you for your assistance!

Best regards,
Zachary

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

If it's working in a locally generated copy of the output (note that I didn't say "project" - that's reserved for the RH project source files - those never get put someplace public - they are there to create output files, not to be the output itself) BUT not in some location on your webserver, THEN it's got to be something going on with that non-functioning location; nothing to do with RH. 
If it works locally, I'd make sure that the entire output folder & sub-folders/files are entirely copied to the webserver - sometimes people fail to copy everything up to their webserver location.

[zachary_0304]

Thank you for correcting me on the RoboHelp terminology. I did a quick search for a cheat sheet on the terms so I can be clearer in my communications going forward. If you recommend another RoboHelp glossary source, please let me know!

Regarding the issue, I will investigate the webserver settings. The original folder with the RoboHelp output has the hyperlink not working, but when I copied it to a new folder, the hyperlink worked. Based on this, it seems that the destination folder with the functioning hyperlink's output files should have the same or fewer files compared to the source folder with the non-functioning hyperlink.

I appreciate your time and input on this!

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

You still haven't verified that the output works if generated locally - that's the starting point to all troubleshooting.

[zachary_0304]

Yes, I have verified that the output works when generated locally in Robohelp. When I view the output and select the hyperlink "https://help.veriato.com/products/cerebral/en/v93/", it navigates to and displays the correct page.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

So the issue must have been something to do with the location on the webserver.

[Peter Grainge]

Sanity check.

You have two folders on the server with the same content. The link https://help.veriato.com/products/cerebral/en/v93/ opens your help in, as I understand it, in the new folder.

That link is to the new folder so the link to the old folder must be different. Presumably v93 is what you are generating so likely that is what needs to change.

Am I missing the point?

________________________________________________________

My site www.grainge.org includes many free Authoring and RoboHelp resources that may be of help.

[zachary_0304]

• I have two folders on the server with the same RoboHelp-generated content, which I refer to as the old, existing folder and a new one where I copied the same content. Both folders display drop-down menus with one option being the hyperlink: https://help.veriato.com/products/cerebral/en/v93/.
• When I select the hyperlink in the old folder, it does not work, but it works successfully in the new folder, navigating to the correct URL. Additionally, when I generate the output locally in RoboHelp and view it, the hyperlink works and displays the correct URL.
• My question is: why does the v93 link work locally and in the new folder but not in the old one, when, to my understanding, there are no other variables between the folders? Based on another thread, I will be investigating the location on the web server.

[Jeff_Coatsworth · Accepted solution]

Who knows - permissions? configuration? It's not a RH question - it's one more directed to your IT folks. Personally, I would just delete the folder and reupload the local output folder again & clear any cache on the webserver.

[zachary_0304]

This seems the most likely solution, and I am currently investigating this with my IT Lead. I have a later version of the HTML files which need more updating, so I would not be deleting the folder and replacing it with the new one for some time. If I find a solution, I will promptly inform you and provide expected updates as developments occur. Many thanks for your and Peter's assistance!