Is updating from Robohelp X5.0.2 to latest version a difficult task?

[SpencerBentley]

I realize this is a pretty subjective question, but for someone who is fairly comfortable using version X5.0.2, would it take a day, or a week, or possible a couple months to update a project that contains three chm files, with hundreds of htm files?  Do you have any good resources to recommend for updating from X5.0.2 to the latest?

Thanks,

Spencer

[RoboWizard]

Hi there

Are you talking about upgrading the project to version 8?

If so, it should take less than an hour. Basically you make a backup copy of each project. Then you open it using version 8. As it opens, version 8 will upgrade the project.

After that has happened the only thing you may have to do is to click Tools > Update DHTML effects in topics.

Cheers... Rick

Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 within the day - $24.95! Click here for Adobe Certified Captivate and RoboHelp HTML Training Click here for the SorcerStone Blog Click here for RoboHelp and Captivate eBooks

[SpencerBentley]

Just to be 100% certain, I am trying to update RoboHelp HTML X5.0.2 to the latest version.  This would be version 8?

[RoboWizard · Accepted solution]

Hi there

Indeed version 8 is "the latest and greatest".

Cheers... Rick

Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 within the day - $24.95! Click here for Adobe Certified Captivate and RoboHelp HTML Training Click here for the SorcerStone Blog Click here for RoboHelp and Captivate eBooks

[SpencerBentley]

Rick, if you are still out there... another question.  I am considering updating because I am trying to fix an issue with the search tool no longer considering all three chm files included in our merged project.  Is this something you have heard of or dealt with before?  Do you think upgrading will resolve this issue?  Or is the problem unrelated?

Also, we are hoping it is possible to edit the chm files using Microsoft Word, and then simply adding them back to the chm file.  Is this a simple process?  Or will we face formatting issues?  Or other issues?

Thanks,

Spencer

[RoboWizard]

Hi there

If the merged CHM is failing the search I'd be hesitant to say that upgrading will fix that. Hmmm, actually it may fix it as it will likely re-register all the components. Probably one of the DLLs associated with the CHM viewer has become unregistered or corrupt or whatnot. You may wish to download a free diagnostics tool to investigate that.

Click here to visit fellow Microsoft Help MVP Rob Chandler's download page

As for editing a CHM using Word? Unless you created the CHM file using Word and you have the Word source file handy, it's not going to happen easily.

A CHM file is composed of several other files. Lots of individual HTM files and other files. You are able to decompile a CHM, edit the HTM files and re-compile it (after you re-create the HHP) but you are better off using a Help authoring tool such as RoboHelp for that. I'd avoid mixing Word and HTML output unless you are just so addicted to Word that it's like crack to you.

Cheers... Rick

Begin learning RoboHelp HTML 7 within the day - $24.95! Click here for Adobe Certified Captivate and RoboHelp HTML Training Click here for the SorcerStone Blog Click here for RoboHelp and Captivate eBooks

[SpencerBentley]

Here is something strange.  There are three chm files in our merged project.  When we open the master chm file and search it doesn't consider the other two chm files.  But when we open either of the other two chm files it does search all three chm files.  Any thoughts?

[NL_Derek-GsBV5a]

Spencer,

This is a known problem, and is not solved in RH8. See http://forums.adobe.com/thread/442372 for more info. Basically you need to edit the HHP and/or the XPJ file (I think the XPJ had a different name in older versions of Robohelp -- it's the file you double-click to open the project).

--- Derek

[SpencerBentley]

Hi,

I fixed the problem by deleting the links to all merged CHM files from the master project's TOC.  Then deleting the CHM file for each of those merged projects from the master project's folder.  Finally, I merged the projects back into the master project from the TOC of the master project (which is the typical procedure for X5.0.2; I'm not sure if this is the same for other versions), which copies the CHM files back into the master project's folder.  Now global searching works again.  I just wanted to share that with everyone, and I hope it works for others.

Spencer