How can I add custom toolbar buttons to load different TOCs?

[ttrujillo]

In my WebHelp output, I want to have custom buttons on the toolbar that when clicked load a specific TOC in the left navigation pane. For example, when the user clicks the PC button, the PC TOC loads in the left pane. When the user clicks the VM button, the VM TOC loads in the left pane. All of the help files are managed in one project and some files will appear in both TOCs.

I think this should be possible but not sure how to make it happen. Is there some JavaScript that I should add to the custom toolbar item to load the TOC on click? How do I specify the TOC that I want to show for each button?

BTW - I'm using RoboHelp 8 (8.0.2) to generate WebHelp output. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Captiv8r · Accepted solution]

Hi there

If you were to upgrade to RoboHelp 9 it would simplify your issue. Version 9 offers a new feature called Dynamic User-Centric Content (DUCC) and provides a nifty little drop-down selector in the Navigation Mini-toolbar.

As you are on version 8 the only way I can fathom you would manage this is by generating two different outputs. Each output would use its respective TOC. The Toolbar button in each project could be configured to open the other project.

You might first decry having to manage two outputs and all the files. But if you pick apart DUCC and the way it is configured by Adobe, it works in much the same manner. It's just hidden from your initial view.

Cheers... Rick

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[Peter Grainge]

This link is to another answer from Rick that may interest you.

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/871091

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@petergrainge

[ttrujillo]

Thank you Rick and Peter. I really don't want the toolbar buttons to launch new projects so we scrapped the idea for now. But I will definitely look into the DUCC feature in RH9. That sounds like just what I'm looking for. Thanks again!

[Guest]

Your answer was promising. I'm working in v. 7 (9 is on the way soon, I think, but not soon enough for the current project). I understand the concept of creating multiple outputs. I need the next step, i.e., how to configure the button to open its corresponding output. AND are you using the word "output" and "project" interchangeably? I'm "assuming" both words refer to a unique "single source layout" for each TOC? And just to be clear, is this concept limited to just one button/TOC/layout? My project managers are requesting several buttons that link to corresponding TOCs (subsets of the master TOC). I'm assuming that the concept and steps for creating the unique layout and linking to the corresponding button would be the same regardless of how many buttons you have in the custom toolbar?

[Peter Grainge]

Whose answer?

It should be possible to have different buttons for different projects but each button will need the full set so that users can hop around. That has the feel of something that could get messy and I think I would push for 9 sooner and do it that way.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[Guest]

Sorry, Peter, it was Rick's answer I was referring to:

As you are on version 8 the only way I can fathom you would manage this is by generating two different outputs. Each output would use its respective TOC. The Toolbar button in each project could be configured to open the other project.

I think you are probably right...sounds like version 9 would be the easiest fix. And it might get here in time. Fingers crossed.

[Guest]

Hello, Rick and/or Peter. RoboHelp 9 arrived and is installed. I'm still struggling with the same issue...making created buttons on the taskbar in the skin load a unique subset of the master TOC in the left menu. I've created the multiple TOCs. The work-around I have at the moment is using the Content drop-down menu, which does, indeed, open the unique TOC in the left frame. But it would be so much more intuitive for the user if I could get the same effect with a named button in the taskbar. I've researched everything I can find in the Help on Skins and Multiple TOCs. I just can't connnect the dots.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Peter Grainge]

My post 16 July contains a link that may help. The poster created different outputs and then linked them to buttons using Rick Stone's suggestion.

I haven't tried creating content categories and then linking buttons to the individual outputs it creates. Not sure if that would work.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge