How do context maps work?

Description

A context map is a top-level map that is used to resolve any keys or references defined at the map level.

Solution

When you open a topic from a map, that map is automatically selected as the topic's context map. However, if you open a topic from the search results, the default is that there is no selected context map.

When you select a context map for a topic from the Details panel, you select it for the purposes of resolving all references in IXIA CCMS Web, and enabling any new references you create. The selected context map remains active for the current editing session only. If you leave the topic and return, the context map does not remain selected. The selected context map does not persist after you check in the topic, either.

When you select a context map when you assign a topic to a user, the context map is active for that assignment only. For example, if UserA assigns the topic to UserB, both UserA and UserB see the context map in the grid and the details pane. Other users do not see it.

There is no way to permanently associate a topic with a context map since a topic could be used in many maps and to permanently select one of them as the context could create a situation where a user fails to notice that they are working in the wrong map. Requiring the user to select the correct context map helps the user link the current topic edits to the related map and hopefully avoid content reference errors.