Create a topic

Use this procedure to create a new unit of information using one of the structured topic templates.

New topics are typically created at the beginning of a project, during the Authoring cycle (or its equivalent in your workflow) when the units of information take shape.

IXIASOFT CCMS provides templates for all the standard DITA topic types, such as task and concept. In addition, your system may contain custom templates designed for use in your particular working environment. You'll see them in the Topic Template pane whenever you create a topic.

If your working environment has a large number of templates, these may be organized into folders, which will appear in the Topic Template pane. You'll be able to navigate them to find the template you need.

Note: Any document that you create is automatically assigned to you.
  1. Do one of the following:
    • Press CTRL+ALT+T.
    • On the Document Creation toolbar, click the Create Topic button create file icon.
    • From the menu bar, select IXIASOFT CCMS > Create Topic.
    The Create Topic dialog appears.
  2. Enter a topic title in the Topic Title box.
  3. Select a language from the Language list, if necessary.
  4. Select a template from the Topic Template list.
    When you click in the checkbox of a template that contains text, you'll see the text in the Preview pane.
  5. In the Labels pane, click Select to add labels.
    The labels that you select are listed in the Labels pane.
  6. To edit the new topic immediately, select Open topic in default editor.
    To edit an existing topic at any time, use Search and then open the topic from the Search Results view.
  7. To add the new topic to the map that's open in the DITA Map view, select Append topic to current map.
    This option is only available if the map is locked.
  8. (Optional): To save the settings you have selected for Language, Template, Open topic, and Append topic, click Save Settings.
    Your selections are saved and used as the default values in the Create Topic dialog. You'll see them there the next time you create a topic.
  9. Click Create to create the topic.

The new topic is added to the repository and given a unique file name. Use Search with the Authoring checkbox selected to display the new file in the Search Results view.

Note: Any document that you create is automatically assigned to you.