HELPMAKE Allows Only One Cross Reference Per Line in RTF Files

ID Number: Q71763

1.05 1.06 1.07 | 1.05 1.06 1.07

MS-DOS | OS/2

buglist1.05 buglist1.06 buglist1.07

Summary:

A help database source file in rich-text format (RTF) will not compile

correctly with HELPMAKE versions 1.05, 1.06, and 1.07 if the file has

multiple cross references on a single line. To have more than one

cross reference per line in an RTF-based help file, a formatting flag

such as bold, italic, or underline must be added to the second cross

reference.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in HELPMAKE versions

1.05, 1.06, and 1.07. We are researching this problem and will post

new information here as it becomes available.

More Information:

If you are using a word processor such as Microsoft Word to create a

help file, any text that is hidden should be treated as a cross

reference. These references enable you to switch between topics in the

finished help file. When the file is saved as RTF, the hidden text is

preceded with the \v formatting flag.

When there are multiple cross references on one line, the second

reference does not work correctly. For example, when the sample RTF

help file below is compiled and then run in QuickHelp, choosing the

Blue option brings up the BlueHelp, but choosing the Red option

produces the following error:

"Red" topic not found.

This is the line in the source where HELPMAKE incorrectly compiles the

second cross reference:

\par { Blue}{\v BlueHelp} { Red}{\v RedHelp}

One of the following workarounds can be used to eliminate this

problem:

1. Add an underline (\ul), bold (\b), or italic (\i) formatting flag

to the second cross reference on the line with the two cross

references. For example, with bold formatting, the line will

appear as follows:

\par { Blue}{\v BlueHelp} { Red}{\v\b RedHelp}

-or-

2. Place the cross references in different paragraphs. For instance:

\par { Blue}{\v BlueHelp} \par { Red}{\v RedHelp}

-or-

3. Place the cross references on different lines:

\par { Blue}{\v BlueHelp} \line { Red}{\v RedHelp}

Note: Both the \par and the \line options will cause Red to appear

below Blue on the help screen (they were originally on the same

line).

-or-

4. Create the help file source in QuickHelp format rather than RTF.

Information on QuickHelp format is contained in the HELPMAKE

documentation and online help.

Sample RTF Help File (TEST.RTF)

-------------------------------

HELPMAKE options needed: -s1 -otest.hlp test.rtf

{\rtf0