Link an Attachment as a Concept: Outline Editor

You can use the Player View in the Outline Editor to link a package file, web page, or URL as the concept of a module, section, or topic document. The linked attachment then appears in the Concept pane of the Outline Editor, resembling the display in the Player window. To assist in the maintenance of concept links in the Developer, the linked attachment is also identified at the top of the pane. If the attachment is a package file or web page, the file name and location in the Library are shown; if the attachment is a URL, its absolute path is shown instead. For module and section documents, the concept expands to fill the entire right side of the Developer window, whereas for topic documents, both the concept and the introduction frame appear. If the size of the linked attachment is greater than the size of the concept pane, scroll bars allow you to view all areas of the concept.

Note: Depending on your computer system setup and browser settings, some types of package documents might not appear in the Concept pane.

The Concept pane in the Outline Editor provides the tools for linking to and managing the links to concept attachments. When linking to a package file or web page, you can filter the display to include packages or web pages only and navigate through the Library folders to the specific file you want to link. When linking to a URL, you can type or paste a base URL in the Address field and then follow links in the preview displayed in the Insert Hyperlink dialog box to reach your desired target.

The link to the concept of a parent document is saved with the document. Therefore, the concept link is maintained when the parent document is copied or moved to another outline. Conversely, deleting the link to an attachment from a parent document in one outline removes the link in all outlines where the parent document is used. The concept link to an attachment is also maintained when you copy or move a parent document in the Library or Outline Editor.

If a linked web page contains sound, controls for sound playback display in the Concept pane.

Note: You can control the display of linked content using the Preview category in Options (on the Tools menu). By default, linked content automatically appears in the Concept pane when you select a document in the outline. However, you can turn this off for all documents or selectively turn off the display by document type. If you turn off the display of linked content, you can click for any document in the outline to display the linked content.

Note: From the Concept pane, you can also click Create new web page to create a new web page and link to it in one step. When you do so, you first specify the name of the web page and the Library folder in which it should be saved. The Web Page Editor then launches in a new tab, displaying an empty web page. After you complete the web page, you can preview its contents directly in the Outline Editor tab.

To link a package file or web page as a concept from the Outline Editor:

1. With the outline open in the Outline Editor, display the Player View.
2. Select the document from which you want to link to a package file or web page.
3. In the Concept pane, click Create link.
4. In the Link to pane, select Document in Library.

   If desired, you can select Packages or Web pages in the Type field to further filter your selection.

5. Navigate the Library to the folder containing the package file or web page to which you want to link.
6. Select the desired package file or web page document.
7. Click OK or press ENTER.

To link a URL as a concept from the Outline Editor:

1. With the outline open in the Outline Editor, display the Player View.
2. Select the document from which you want to link to a package file or web page.
3. In the Concept pane, click Create link.
4. In the Link to pane, select URL.
5. In the Address field, type or paste the target URL.
6. Click Go or press ENTER.

   While selecting a URL, you can also enter a base URL and then follow links in the preview displayed in the results pane to reach your desired target.

7. Click OK or press ENTER.