Linked images in my Word document don't show up in RoboHelp

[WriteStarr]

I'm using RoboHelp 8 and Microsoft Word 2003 on Windows XP. I create a new WebHelp project. I added all the .png image files from my Microsoft Word directory to Baggage Files. I then used the Link>>Word Document function to add my Word document to the RoboHelp project. Set my preferences for style pagination, did a Force Update All. However, most of the images I inserted as links into my Word document don't come through into RoboHelp. Apparently I'm missing a setting somewhere but I can't figure out what it is. In addition, one of the images that did come through is horribly degraded.

[Peter Grainge]

See Snippet 125 on my site, particularly the bit about PNG images.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[WriteStarr]

Peter,

Thanks for that. However, it still doesn't work. I made the appropriate changes in Word, saved as a new file, then went to RoboHelp, created a new project and still no joy.

[Peter Grainge]

Reread the bit emphasised with a blue background. Try with the first option unticked.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[WriteStarr]

Still no joy. All of the images in my Word document are linked .png files.

Here's the step-by-step of what I just did:

1. Open Word document
2. Tools>>Options>>General>>Web Options.
3. Change setting. Click OK
4. Click OK
5. Change text on page one of document to make sure document is "dirty".
6. File>>Save As.
7. Increment number in file name.
8. File>>Exit.
9. Launch RoboHelp
10. Start new project
11. Add all .png files to baggage.
12. File>>Link>>Word Document
13. Select appropriate Word file.
14. File>>Project Settings>>Import tab
15. Edit Word conversion settings to set pagination for heading styles and set Convert Word list to RoboHelp list
16. Click OK
17. Click Apply
18. Click OK
19. Right-click Word document in HTML Files (Topics) and choose Update>>Force Update All
20. no joy

[Peter Grainge]

I'm not sure adding the files to baggage is necessary. However, let's try finding out where the problem is.

Create four Word documents, one with a linked PNG, one with an embedded PNG, one with a linked JPG and one with an embedded JPG.

Link all four documents to a new project and see what works.

Post back the results.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[WriteStarr]

I took it one step further and created six documents, taking the same approach with .gif files. Did not add files to baggage. That clarified the issue. Linked files never worked; embedded files always work {grrrr}

[Peter Grainge]

That is what I thought you might find.

I suspect that is a technical limitation but I will try to find out more. Assume though that linking the document to images is not an option.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[WriteStarr]

Not an option; I deal with substantial software user manuals with a lot of screen captures; embedded graphics make the Word files bloated and unstable.

I've not had this issue in the past when I've used D2H {sigh}

[WriteStarr]

Just for grins, I added the graphics files to baggage; made no difference.