Open a Document from the Library

Opening a document launches the appropriate document editor in a new tab. The document editor that launches depends on the type of document that you open. For example, when you open a module or section, the Outline Editor launches in a new tab. Opening a package or web page launches the Package or Web Page Editor in a new tab. When you open a topic containing recorded content, the Topic Editor launches. However, opening a topic that contains no recorded content launches the Recorder. Documents that open in tabs appear as the last tab on the right in the Developer window.

You can open a document from any view in the Library or Outline Editor, or use the options in the Open dialog box, which allow you to navigate and filter Library folders for specific document types. You can open multiple documents at the same time from the Library or Outline Editor, with each document opening in its own editor. You cannot, however, open two unrecorded topics at the same time because the Developer can launch only one instance of the Recorder.

Note: You can also open documents from the Start Screen, which appears when you start the Developer.

Multi-user Considerations

If you open a document that is not checked out to you, it opens in Read-Only mode. If you decide to make any changes to a Read-Only document, upon exit you are given the option to save the document (check out and save the changes), save it as a new document, or discard the changes.

To open a document:

1. To open a single document, double-click the document.

   You can also press ENTER to open the selected document.

2. To open multiple documents, select the document(s).

   You can select multiple documents using the standard Windows selection keys (CTRL+click and SHIFT+click). You can select all items in a folder by choosing Select All from the Edit menu.

3. Right-click any document in the selection and choose Open.

   You can also press ENTER to open all selected documents.

To open documents using the Open dialog box:

1. On the File menu, choose  Open.
2. In the Open dialog box, navigate the Library to the folder containing the document you want to open.

   You can use the Look in list or the icons in the dialog box to navigate folder levels.

3. To filter the document display, select the document type from the Type list.

   To remove the filter, select All types from the Type list.

4. Select the document to open.
5. Click Open.

Note: To open a document from the Start Screen, click a link for a recently opened outline or click the Document link to open the Open dialog box.