Create links using a relationship table

You create links in a relationship table by adding topics to different table cells in a row. The type of relationship table and row determines the kinds of linking that occurs.

The map must be locked and open in Content view.

For example, in a CTRT relationship table, all the topics in one table cell link to all the other topics in all the other table cells in the row. But topics within a table cell do not link to each other.

In a source-target relationship table, all the topics in a table cell in the Source column link to all the topics in the table cell beside it in the Target column. But the topics in the Target table cell do not link back, and there are no links between topics in the same table cell for either column.

Note: You can also modify the linking between specific table cells or topics using attributes.

To create links using a relationship table:

  1. Click in the table cell where you want to add the topic.
  2. Add the topic by doing one of the following:
    MethodSteps
    Mini toolbar
    1. Hover over the title of an existing topic already in the table cell.

      The mini toolbar appears.

    2. Click Insert a DITA Reference icon.
    Right-click
    1. Right-click and select Insert > Insert Topic Reference.
    Toolbar
    1. On the toolbar, click Insert a DITA Reference icon.
    Note: You can also copy and paste a <topicref> element into the relationship table cell. This is a quick way to add topics in the map to the relationship table.
  3. In the Insert a DITA Reference dialog, search for the topic that you want.

    You can click on the titles of topics and maps to see a preview of them.

  4. Click the radio button for the topic that you want to insert.
  5. Click Insert.
    Note: You can also click Insert while previewing a topic. This inserts the topic you are previewing.
  6. Add additional topics in the other table cells to create links between them.
    A relationship table links are created.