Convert to a RoboHelp Project

To create a new RoboHelp project:

1. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the decompiled project.
   Note the files created.

2. Right click the decompile.hhp file.

3. Choose Edit.
   
   RoboHelp launches and the project is reconstructed. However, there is one problem.
   The Contents and Index tabs are missing.

4. Close RoboHelp.

Missing HTML Help tabs

Even a good thing isn't perfect! The new project is missing the Contents and Index tabs. Only Search and Favorites appear. I've seen this problem occur periodically when converting projects into RoboHelp.  It is definitely a bug, but I'm not sure where/when the problem originates.  In the next step you learn how to fix missing tabs by editing the hhp file directly.

Open decompile.hhp in Notepad.

1. Open Notepad by choosing Start Button: Programs: Accessories: Notepad.

2. Choose File: Open.

3. Under Files of type select All files and navigate to and open the decompile.hhp file.

4. Under the [OPTIONS] section add the following lines:
   
   Contents file=decompile.hhc
   Index file=decompile.hhk
   
   

5. Save and Close Notepad.

6. Right-click decompile.hhp.

7. Choose Edit.
   When warned that an Project file (MPJ) is already created click No.
   
   
   Clicking NO causes the .mpj (RoboHelp HTML Project) file to be recreated.

8. Recompile and run the project.
   
   All tabs are restored!!  That's what I call round-tripping!

Back to the beginning of the tip

See you all next month!

Rob Magrino
Certified XxxxXxxx Instructor
Certified Technical Trainer
Microsoft Certified Professional