Help me understand linking to an external HTML file

This forum is for all Flare issues related to the Microsoft HTML Help target.
This target produces "CHM" files in the output.
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stealth94rt
Propeller Head
Posts: 41
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:10 pm

Help me understand linking to an external HTML file

Post by stealth94rt »

I'm working on a Flare project that outputs to a CHM file. I want to embed a link in the TOC that goes out to our website and retrieves an HTML file (just a single file). In other words, I want the link to be out to that file on the website, so I can update that content independently of updates we do to the CHM file.

To test this, I put an entry in the TOC that links out to that file, and I also created a topic with a link in the topic out to that file. After building and testing, it appears that Flare is retrieving the file during the build process and embedding it into the CHM output.

Is the problem that I'm specifying the HTML file name in the website path, and so Flare is automatically grabbing the file and embedding it? If so, how do I prevent that from happening?

Please advise on this. Thanks.
Richard Ferrell
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Re: Help me understand linking to an external HTML file

Post by Richard Ferrell »

Is the file you are linking to in the flare project or an external website?
Richard Ferrell

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stealth94rt
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Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:10 pm

Re: Help me understand linking to an external HTML file

Post by stealth94rt »

It is a single file that is currently outside of any Flare project, as we wanted to be able to update it independently of the CHM builds.

Originally, I wanted to have a local HTML file that I could link to from several different CHMs. However, I don't think that's possible unless the file is embedded into the CHM output during the build.

However, after some experimentation I found that I can link to a file on our website. So, I created a PHP file that will refresh each time it's accessed. Unfortunately, if there is no internet connection, the user won't be able to access that topic in the help.

Of course, I'm open to any other options.
GeorgeBell
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Re: Help me understand linking to an external HTML file

Post by GeorgeBell »

I simply go to Flare's Insert Menu, select Hyperlink, and follow through from there. The following is an example of the resultant source code:

<h5>Miscellaneous Symbols</h5>
<p><a href="http://unicode.org/charts/PDF/U2600.pdf">Link to Unicode website about this script.</a>
</p>
Psider
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Re: Help me understand linking to an external HTML file

Post by Psider »

Have a look at this site and see if one of the options linked will meet your needs:
http://kb.helpwaregroup.com/ms-html-help/hh-tips-tricks

I recommend browsing around the site for a lot of helpful info on chms. :)
stealth94rt
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Posts: 41
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:10 pm

Re: Help me understand linking to an external HTML file

Post by stealth94rt »

OK, I will look at the info on that site. Thanks.
Psider
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Re: Help me understand linking to an external HTML file

Post by Psider »

Good luck. Hope you find something that works.
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