The RoboColum(n)

Have you ever tried using the topic preview feature of RoboHelp only to find a blank topic? I know I have but that was caused to a topic containing 1000+ bookmarks, 500+ links to other topics and numerous DHTML dropdowns nested inside other DHTML dropdowns. Don’t ask! Let’s just say I inherited it. Such an overload in a RoboHelp topic is bound to cause even Hal a headache, but what about “normal” topics?

Occasionally it is possible that the topic preview feature fails to display the actual topic content. If this happens to you, fear not. You have more than likely not lost your topic content. If you have tried all non-invasive solutions you can try the following registry edit. The usual disclaimers and warnings about backing up, sacrificing a chicken and throwing salt over your right shoulder with your left hand apply.

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor.
2. In RoboHelp 7, locate the following key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\version\RoboHTML\version\MontereyFrame\
   In RoboHelp 8, locate the following key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\RoboHelp\8.00\MontereyFrame
3. Double click the Preview item in a separate window (RoboHelp 7 only). Ensure the value is set to 1 and click OK. It doesn’t matter if the option is set to Hex or Decimal.
4. Double click the PreviewMaximized item. Ensure the value is set to 0 and click OK. It doesn’t matter if the option is set to Hex or Decimal.
5. Double click the PreviewWindowCX item. Ensure the option is set to Decimal, set the value to 50 and click OK.
6. Double click the PreviewWindowCY item. Ensure the option is set to Decimal, set the value to 50 and click OK.
7. Double click the PreviewWindowX item. Ensure the option is set to Decimal, the value to 50 and click OK.
8. Double click the PreviewWindowY item. Ensure the option is set to Decimal, the value to 50 and click OK.
9. Close the Windows Registry Editor.

If you restart RoboHelp HTML and preview a topic all will be well and peace will reign for evermore.