RoboHelp7 - Microsoft HTML Help

[Ges-Wells]

First, let me state that I am not a tech computer person & I have been using the 'recommended' settings for compiling the HTML help.

We have projects compliled as WinHelp 2000 (primary layout) and have changed the 'Primary Layout" on one project to Microsoft HTML Help.  After 'compiling' everything looks pretty good (links & jumps work) but some re-formatting is needed. 

My question is that after the HTML .CHM file was placed in product and we clicked on ? (question mark) Help opens but only displays TOC & Title (chapters & topics can be opened) BUT it does not automatically display the help topic for the window (screen) currently open in product.  Is there some setting that we are missing - I have tried using different compile settings with no luck.

In the WinHelp 2000 Help, when ? is clicked it displays the topic needed for window (screen) currently displayed providing info.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, because I have 9 projects that need to be 'compiled' as HTML.

[Captiv8r]

Hi there

For starters, if you are creating HTML Help, you would be well advised to consider weaning yourself away from RoboHelp for Word and moving to RoboHelp HTML. The process isn't nearly as painful as you might think.

Secondly, I believe the context mapping works differently between calling HLP vs CHM. So likely there will be some work that has to transpire in order to get it all converted.

Basically it works like this. From the application, an identification number is assigned to the relevant part of the application. Each part should be assigned a unique identification number. The call to open help is made and the identification number is supplied. In the world of HLP files, I think these are called Context IDs. So in your project, you have something called a Map file. Think of this as a cross reference. You maintain this map file (usually it's bearing a .H file extension and is a simple ASCII text file). The Map file establishes the relationship between the application identification number and the topic that should match to it. So when the application calls the help and supplies the identification number, a lookup occurs that says oh, I see you have Mapped this identification number to this topic. then the help presents the topic.

So it's a wee bit more involved than simply supplanting one file with another.

Cheers... Rick

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