Has anybody tested the import and linking enhancements in RH 9 HTML?

[RightOar]

All,

I am testing a trial version of RH 9. All looks good except I’m not understanding some of the import and linking enhancements. Has anyone tried the new relative path benefit by moving a project or source document? I’ve done both and I get the same results as in RH 8—if the project moves, the links work fine, and when the source document moves, you have to use the “restore to link” feature in order to update the link document. Am I missing something?

Here’s the “what’s new in RH 9” lingo:

RoboHelp 9 saves the relative path, instead of the absolute path, of linked documents. As a result, the links work even when the RoboHelp project and the linked Microsoft Word or FrameMaker documents are moved.

Note: Earlier versions of RoboHelp projects that contain absolute paths of linked documents open normally in RoboHelp 9. While saving these projects, RoboHelp 9 saves the relative path

Thanks!

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Well, the only way you can link a FM doc to RH is by having the TCS - are you testing the suite or just the standalone RH version?

[RightOar]

Should have specified. I'm only interested in linking to Word.

I'm testing the stand alone version.

[Peter Grainge]

Are you using the Link by Copy option so the document is within the RoboHelp folders and have you tested with a project created in RoboHelp 9 rather than one upgraded from 8. Without testing I am not sure if that would make a difference.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[RightOar]

Hi Peter,

No, I use the "Create a Reference" option. Yes, I've tested with a new project in RH 9.

I wonder if the new enhancement is only for the "Create a copy" option? It would make sense, but then it doesn't seem like much of an enhancement.

Thanks.

[Peter Grainge · Accepted solution]

Looking again at your first post in the thread, it does state on saving RoboHelp 9 changes the path to being relative. If Linking by Copy then it is an enhancement as it avoids the link having to be recreated if you move the project.

For Create by Reference I would say an absolute path is preferable as it then doesn't matter if the project moves and you are saying that does work. If it is the document that moves, somehow RoboHelp has to be told where.

Sounds like what is wrong is the help not qualifying when the relative link is used. You could add a comment to the help to get that fixed.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[RightOar]

Appreciate it, Peter.

Makes sense. I forgot about the "create a copy" option and, yes, it would be nice if Adobe included that distinction in their info/help content. I've noticed several examples lately of where their information could have been more specific and, as a result, more helpful. Good thing for the forums and RoboHelp user sites!

I'll make note of the discrepancies I find and send to Adobe help. May eliminate some confusion for others.

Best!