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hollicooper
Currently Being Moderated

Can I have a Text Search in HTML Help output?

Apr 23, 2012 12:57 AM

Tags: #help #search #html #output #enable #chm #robohelp_html #search_text #microsoft_html_help

Hello,

 

I'm relatively new to Robohelp and while testing the possible output methods I found that there is no internal text search function available for the Microsoft HTML Help (.chm) file.

Does anyone know if it is possible to enable this function?

 

Thank you

Holli

 
Replies
  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 1:06 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    Not sure what you mean by "internal search". If you mean a search for the user, you should be seeing a search tab.

     

    chm_example.png

    BTW. Please see the Sticky Topic - Before You Post. It didn't matter this time but you should always include your version of RoboHelp as it can affect the answer.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 1:31 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    In Project Setup, right click the Window used. Make sure Search Tab is ticked.

     

    chm_window.png

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 1:54 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    I have seen something like this and am trying to recall the solution. Meantime, do you have anything in the glossary? If not deselect that option.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 1:55 AM   in reply to Peter Grainge
     
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  • RoboColum(n)
    5,000 posts
    Oct 8, 2004
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 4:16 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    You may want to try adding a "$global_" prefix to your window name and recompiling. It may also be a good idea to remove any spaces from your window name. Use underscores if you want to.

     
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  • RoboColum(n)
    5,000 posts
    Oct 8, 2004
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 4:42 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    Sorry Holli. I shouldn't really have used that term. Yes it is the same as generating your output. One other thing you could try is creating a brand new window and Microsoft HTML Help single source layout. You can do this by right clicking on the window and single source layout in the appropriate pod.

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 4:51 AM   in reply to RoboColum(n)

    Strictly speaking Colum was right to use the term "compiling".

     

    You compile Microsoft HTML Help (CHMs) as RoboHelp is using the Microsoft Help Compiler to compile all your HTM files into one CHM.

     

    WebHelp is generated as it becomes a collection of files, HTM and others.

     

    For what it might be worth.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 6:05 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    Two quick things worth a try.

     

    I am doubtful this one will work but it might be worth deleting the CPD file in the root of the project (using Windows Explorer) and reopening the project.

     

    More likely is try creating a new SSL. Right click in the SSL pod and select Create New, not a duplicate. Could just be that is corrupted.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • RoboColum(n)
    5,000 posts
    Oct 8, 2004
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 6:30 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    The CPD file is a database file used by each RoboHelp project. It can be safely deleted though as Peter suggests as it gets recreated. In fact there is even an option to automatically rebuild it whenever you open your project.

    Option_Delete_CPD.png

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 6:35 AM   in reply to RoboColum(n)

    It removes the twists out of RoboHelp's knickers.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 6:36 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    Hi Holli

     

    Perhaps try creating a brand new window?

     

    Make sure Microsoft HTML Help is your Primary Layout by right-clicking it in the Single Source Layouts recipe box.

     

    Then open the Project Set-up pod and create a new window.

     

    Then in the Single Source Layout recipe, make sure you choose the new window you just created.

     

    Recompile and check.

     

    Cheers... Rick

     

    Helpful and Handy Links

    RoboHelp Wish Form/Bug Reporting Form

    Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7, 8 or 9 within the day!

    Adobe Certified RoboHelp HTML Training

    SorcerStone Blog

    RoboHelp eBooks

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 6:42 AM   in reply to Captiv8r

    Good call Rick. Probably the first thing to try.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 7:05 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    If you want me to look at the project, see the Contact page on my site.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 10:23 AM   in reply to hollicooper

    Zip up the project folder and then send it using one of the free sites mentioned on the Contact Page on my site.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 23, 2012 6:20 PM   in reply to Peter Grainge

    At the bottom of this thread there are a couple of solutions I haven't seen tried yet:

     

    Missing: Search Tab

     

    Eileen made some changes that affected the hhp file, plus compared a couple of files with a working project and made some manual adjustments to them.

     

    Peter also suggested unticking the Browse Sequence checkbox in the window definition.

     

    And Gargik suggested unticking the Binary Index setting in Project Settings.

     

    Perhaps one of those suggestions can help.

     

    Amber

     
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  • Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 24, 2012 12:22 AM   in reply to Amebr

    Credit where it is due. It was Eileen Palsson who found unticking the Browse Sequence and Glossary options if they were empty brought back the search. I simply verified it worked when I hit the problem later.

     

    That solution is what I had in mind in Post 5 in this thread.

     


    See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

     

    @petergrainge

     
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