Can I launch a CHM file with a parameter?

[Gcallaghan1]

I'm trying to figure out a way to change the value of a Variable when I launch

the CHM file from my application. Basically, I have a setting in my software that needs to carry over into the CHM. In some cases, the document I work with will be called one thing, say "bob", and in some cases it will be called "jim". That way in any topic I write, I can say something like:

     Click Save to save the changes to your <variable name>.

Instead of

     Click Save to save the changes to your Bob or Jim.

Make sense? Any ideas?

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

I don't know if the concept works with CHMs in RH9, but they've got a new type of Context Help that you see demonstrated with the RH9 Community Help in the TC suite - you can select different help sets (FM, RH, etc.) and get separate ToC, indexes, contents, etc.

[Peter Grainge]

What Jeff is referring to is Dynamic User Centric Content, DUCC. Within on output you have a dropdown and the user selects the content according to what they select so it could be all the US content or all the UK content. It is not an option in CHMs but I don't think it is what you want.

Using variables you could have one CHM that displays Bob and one that displays Jim but you cannot open one CHM with a parameter that sets Bob or Jim at that point. Can you not create the two and have the developers find a way of launching the right CHM?

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@petergrainge

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Thanks Peter - I couldn't remember the name & didn't have RH open to check.

[Gcallaghan1]

Thanks guys. That's too bad. Seems like a feature that would help a lot of people. I'd rather not have three CHM files if I can avoid it. Seems like a drastic step just to change one word.

Anyone else have a different suggestion?

[Peter Grainge]

In your case it might be one variable that needs to change but for other users there could be many. The main problem I see facing Adobe in meeting your need is that CHMs have to be compiled by the Microsoft Help Compiler and Microsoft last updated that in 2004. It doesn't seem to be high on their list of priorities.

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@petergrainge