Expand All

[Techno]

I'm clearly not using the correct keywords in searching Help, so hope some kind person will oblige.

I've just begun to add FAQ sections to my project, and finally figured out how to add the answer to a question as "expanding text". That bit works fine.

However, I would really prefer to have an option which allows the viewer to "expand all", such that the answers to all questions are shown, and the the topic can be printed to show both questions and answers.

And if there is any icing left for that layer of the cake, an option to expand just the questions under one heading would be perfect.

Finally I need to produce alternatives outputs, such as Word, and would like to ensure that the answers will also be included there.

Is all this possible within Flare, or am I in dreamland?

George

[dorcutt]

I am no expert in this, but I can help a little maybe.

What output type are you creating, and what method are you currently using for your expanding text? If you are using drop down text, the Advanced HTML5 skin (not sure about basic; I've never used it) has a built-in "Expand All" button. You can test it out in the live Flare WebHelp. It is one of the three buttons near the top of the page, to the left of the feedback stars icon and directly to the right of the Print icon.

Also, you might want to check out this thread I just found: http://forums.madcapsoftware.com/viewto ... f=6&t=7900

[Techno]

Many thanks - I'll do some more research now you've given me some clues.

The "problem", if that's the correct word, is that the application works almost the same way for both Windows and Mac, and so I to make extensive use of Conditional Text.

Because of the nature of the software, hard copy will be wanted of certain topics, depending on the user's own needs. For example, an FAQ I'm working on at the moment, has 15 expandable questions, and It's very likely that printed versions would be circulated among staff, while the reader of the chm on screen would only want to see the answer to one question.

Outputs (aside from local printing of topics) have to be to Word, PDF, and e-book for now, hence the need to expand text for these.

[NorthEast]

However, I would really prefer to have an option which allows the viewer to "expand all", such that the answers to all questions are shown, and the the topic can be printed to show both questions and answers.

There's an Expand All toolbar button that you can include in the skin.

If you don't know how, see the topic about "Specifying web toolbar settings" for your output type:
http://webhelp.madcapsoftware.com/flare10/Default.htm#search-%22expand%20all%22%20%22web%20toolbar%22

[dorcutt]

Using an expand-all button and drop-down headers (should) not interfere with your print output in any way. The Expand-all button appears only in the web skin, and the dropdowns are invisible to print output (I use them myself in a topic that I also distribute in PDF and Word).

[RickD]

However, I would really prefer to have an option which allows the viewer to "expand all", such that the answers to all questions are shown, and the the topic can be printed to show both questions and answers.

There's an Expand All toolbar button that you can include in the skin.

If you don't know how, see the topic about "Specifying web toolbar settings" for your output type:
http://webhelp.madcapsoftware.com/flare10/Default.htm#search-%22expand%20all%22%20%22web%20toolbar%22

I am also looking for a way to make all of the drop down text on a page/topic expand using a button. The problem is that i am using HTML5 Top Nav, and if i understand right,Top Nav does not support the topic toolbar proxy. Is there a way to have an expand all option for top nav topic?

Many thanks

[Nita Beck]

I am also looking for a way to make all of the drop down text on a page/topic expand using a button. The problem is that i am using HTML5 Top Nav, and if i understand right,Top Nav does not support the topic toolbar proxy. Is there a way to have an expand all option for top nav topic?

Sorry in advance for a very brief reply; I just got in from a trip.

You most definitely can use topic toolbars with Top Nav HTML5 help, including the use of the Expand All button. I use that one myself in my Top Nav output. But there are some restrictions as to certain other toolbar buttons; for instance, the Previous Topic and Next Topic are not supported by Top Nav (much to my and many other authors' disappointment).

Start researching with this topic in the Flare Help system: http://webhelp.madcapsoftware.com/flare ... _Proxy.htm

HTH, despite its brevity.

[RickD]

Many thanks for the information.

I will follow up with the link and see how I go.

Thanks again,
Rick

[RickD]

It worked just fine - thanks again!