"Generate Primary Layout" not updating edits to help file

[Shel_T]

I am using RoboHelp 6.0 (RoboHelp for Word).  When I generate my primary layout (WinHelp4) and then view my .hlp file, none of my edits are updated.  The last time I made updates was two months ago and my edits were showing updated.

Thanks

[RoboWizard · Accepted solution]

Hi there

What is the output?

In nearly every case like this the end result turns out to be that you (or your user) is actually viewing an older copy of the help system that you probably are totally unaware exists.

Have you double checked for that?

Cheers... Rick

Helpful and Handy Links RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 or 8 within the day - $24.95! Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training SorcerStone Blog RoboHelp eBooks

[Shel_T]

I'm outputing to WinHelp4.  Another thing I did was instead of generating the primary I did a view of the primary layout and I got a message stating "WinHelp4 output is out of date".

[RoboColum_n_]

In that case, the clue is in the error message

---

Read the RoboColum(n).

[Shel_T]

Any suggestions on how I update WinHelp4?

[Peter Grainge]

It sounds a bit like you have updated your topics but not generated a new output.

If you have generated an output, are you sure you are looking in the right folder? Is the file date and time correct?

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

[Shel_T]

I just generated an output and the file date and time reflect the time I did it.

[Peter Grainge]

When you generate, you can tick / untick which documents are included. Are all the documents ticked?

If that is not the cause, how big is the project zipped up? Do not send it yet. For now, I just want to know the size.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

[Shel_T]

All documents are ticked.  One thing I noticed when generating the primary layout, there is a message which states "Removing broken jumps..."  Processing name.rtf.  Is it possible that may have something to do with it?

I work for a health insurance company and the help file contains confidential information - I wouldn't be able to zip it.

[Peter Grainge]

I don't think so but no way of knowing.

Try an old trick. Close the project and make a copy of it.

Using the copy, go into Windows Explorer and delete the RTF files. Then open the copy in RH and it will warn you about the missing RTFs. Let it create new ones.

Try with that.

Next try creating a new project and import the documents into that.

If that fails, without seeing what is going on and hacking around, there is not much I can do. I understand confidentiality and have had many such projects sent to me. I do not keep them once the issue is resolved and I never quote from them or use them as examples. It's up to you and your management. I'm not the one with a problem.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

[Shel_T]

I just tried your two suggestions and no luck.  I'll run it by my boss if I can send you a zip.

In the meantime - I was getting an error of "WinHelp4 output is out of date" when I would try to "View Primary Layout".  If I need to update WinHelp4, any suggestions on how I would do that?

Thanks for your help.

[Peter Grainge]

Something is very wrong here. That message only comes up if the help has not been updated but you said the file date and time was up to date when we went through that earlier.

I really am not convinced you are looking at the right file.

Is WinHelp 4 set as the primary layout?

How are you starting the generation? Take a screen shot and use the camera icon ABOVE to insert it.

Also take screenshots of each page of the wizard when you generate and add those.

If that does not get us anywhere, then explain to your boss that I am an Adobe Community Expert which is a recognition by Adobe for the work people such as myself do to help users and the authoring community. For RoboHelp there are only about twelve such people worldwide. I would not risk a complaint from you by misusing what you send. Your content is of no interest to me, I work in an entirely different field. Sorting out your problem, if I can, is of interest.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

[Shel_T]

WinHelp 4 is set at the primary layout - "Generate Primary Layour (WinHelp 4).

Here is a screen shot of my file structure where the help file is being generated to:

[Peter Grainge]

Could there be confusion between the first two projects in the first image?

Try deleting the GID file and opening the help again. I forget what controls but it may be relevant.

If that is not it, please speak to your boss and advise me of the zip file size. Don't send yet.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

[Shel_T]

I don't think there is any confusion between the first two projects in the first image.

I deleted the GID file and that didn't seem to work.

I will talk with my boss tomorrow and see if I can get the all clear to send you the zip file.  The zip file is 21.8 MB.

[Peter Grainge]

If he approves it use http://www.cutesendit.com/ and include a link to this thread.

You can get my address from my site.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

[Shel_T]

Thank you so much for trying to assist me.  I may have found out what the issue is.  The changes I made were adding bold to some text and that is when I noticed the changes weren't being reflected.  I removed the bold format on the text and generated a new help file - the changes were reflected.

Can bold not be used?

[Peter Grainge]

Yes it can and I have no idea how that can affect things.

---

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips