Map files are used with all types of context-sensitive Help. They contain topic IDs and map numbers. The map number follows the topic ID in a string that looks like this:
#define ID_PizzaDeliveryForm 101
ID_PizzaDeliveryForm is the topic ID
101 is the map number
ID_PizzaDeliveryForm 101 as a pair represent the map ID (string)
The topic ID is the developer’s way of identifying a window or dialog in the application (for example, ID_PizzaDeliveryForm.) You create the topics that explain how to use the windows and dialogs in your application. In the above example, you would create a window-level Help topic that explains how to use the Pizza Delivery Form (which represents a dialog in the application).
There are different ways to work with map files:
Obtain them from the developer: Often, developers create map files for applications. (They might refer to these files as header files.) You need to match the topic IDs with your topics, so it's a good idea to review the map files with your developer. This will help you easily identify them. Import map files into the project so you can start working with them.
Auto-generate them in RoboHELP: You can also generate map files at the same time you create the text-only topic files or aliases. You manually enter the topic IDs and the program automatically generates the map numbers and saves everything in a map file. The map numbers start with 1 or the lowest possible number (if your project already includes map files). You can change map numbers if necessary. Your developer needs copies of these map files after they are complete to program them into the application.
Create them in a text-editor: Map files are in text format. You can easily use the Windows Notepad or another text editor to create them. Talk to your developer about the correct way to do this if you are creating them yourself. You might need to assign specific map numbers or topic IDs, and it will save you time to find out about them before you enter the information in the text file. Just like any map files you receive from developers, you'll need to import any map files you create in a text editor into the project.
Tip: Map files must use the extension .H, .HH or .HM and RoboHELP should be able to write to them.