Search function with Accordion Hidden, is it possible?

[chunkee]

We have created a home page called Library to be a one stop location for all of our user assistance material. Currently, the skin is set to NOT display the accordion but there is a Search button on the top navigation. Is there a way to have this function work properly OR, have the Search button open up the Search dialog (frame) in the top of the page and display the results?

Just trying to think of some crafty ways to do this so the landing pages do not look like a help system until they actually get into the help system for the specific content.

TY

John

[NorthEast]

I'm not sure which search button you're referring to, as there are two search features that can be enabled on the skin toolbar; QuickSearch a the search box on the toolbar (which searches the topic text only), and SelectSearch is a button which displays the Search accordion.

Also, do you mean you want the search results displayed in the topic body, rather than the Search accordion pane? If so, that's not possible with regular WebHelp. If you prefer not to have panes in your help at all, then maybe look at WebHelp Mobile output which doesn't use frames.

[LTinker68]

Is there a way to have this function work properly OR, have the Search button open up the Search dialog (frame) in the top of the page and display the results?

My guess is that search field is the Quick Search field, which only finds in the current topic, not the entire help system. It's the same as doing Ctrl+F to call up the browser's built-in find utility.

I don't think there's a way to change the scope of the Quick Search field. You can put your own buttons in the toolbar and specify some JavaScript for them, but I don't know if you can insert a text box field, as well. What might be easier is to put the search field and Go/Search button in the body of the topic and have code on the button make a CSH call to the full help with the text in the text box appended to the call. The Flare help has instructions on how to make CSH calls with search terms appended to the call. You'd also have to append the name of the skin you're using with the full help so that it doesn't load the help in the same skin you're using for the landing page.

Hope that makes sense. Anyone else have a better solution?

EDIT: I was composing my response while Dave sent his. He's right, you can't have the search results returned in the main topic. My suggestion loads the full help with the search pane visible and the results of the search terms in the results pane.

[chunkee]

I apologize. I am talking about the main search, not the topic quick search. The icon to activate the Search pane to search the project.

TY>

jC