Need help linking to an external PDF file

[DZacks]

How can I create a link inside my robohelp project that links to a PDF file that has NOT been copied into the project. I am looking for a link with a relative path in the event the files may someday need to be moved.

Thanks

[Peter Grainge]

How will a relative path help? If the file gets moved, the relative path will be wrong and will fail.

If the file is not in the project, you will have to manually enter the path, relative or absolute.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

[DZacks]

Perhaps my terminology is incorrect, but what I am trying to do is create a link from inside my .chm to link to an external .pdf file. The file can be placed in the same folder as the .chm, but not compiled inside the project.

I am being laid off, and am trying to set up a procedure so the developers can continue to post help documents (in .pdf format), without having to learn Robohelp.

[Peter Grainge]

I think I would be inclined to let them find the solution if that is the reason!

If it can be done, it will be in Tips and Tricks, which can be downloaded from http://www.robowizard.com

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

[Pete_Lees · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Microsoft's HTML Help documentation includes a script with which you can link to an external file. See:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms644690(vs.85).aspx

This opens the external file in the topic pane of the Help viewer. If you'd rather open the file in its native application (Acrobat or Adobe Reader, in your case), you'd need to use a script like this one:

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/microsoft.public.helpauthoring/msg/fa85cc619be13e3d?hl=en

You may also find these resources useful:

http://helpware.net/FAR/far_faq.htm#Script_to_External_File
http://www.cybertext.com.au/tips_HTML_chm_external.htm

Pete