DITA MAP

This is the instruction how to create DITA Map

DITA Map organizes a set of topics into a hierarchy. The structure of the map presents the structure of the table of contents.

Ws use DITA maps to:

  • Include topics within an information set
  • Define the navigation between a set of topics
  • Creates relationships between topics

Right-click your Project view and select New → File

Important: Create your DITA Map outside of the TOPICS Folder. Click on the Project Folder.

Figure 1. DITA Map

Now go to Framework templates → DITA → Maps and select Map .

Figure 2. DITA Maps

Add a Title and click Create.

After creating DITA Map you get the question Where do you want the DITA map file to be opened?
Figure 3. DITA Maps Manager

Choose whether you want to open the map in the Editor or in the DITA Maps Manager . Opening it in the DITA Maps Manager is the best choice. The DITA Maps Manager presents a view of the DITA map that is similar to a table of contents.

Tip: Look below at the pictures to find the location of your Project and DITA Map.
Table 1. Project and DITA Map Location
PROJECT Location DITA Map Location

The table above presents the location of your Project Files and DITA Map File. When you want to open Project files click on Project at the bottom, but when you want to open DITA Map click on DITA Map Manager (marked red).

ELEMENTS YOU CAN ADD TO DITA Map

Here you see the screenshot of DITA Map ELEMENTS
Figure 4. DITA Map ELEMENTS
This is the list of elements in DITA Map you can add
  • Title defines the title of your Project
  • Topic Meta includes author, copyright, critdates and prodinfo
  • Topic references or topicref create the whole structure of the document that you want to deliver. The DITA map has a topicref element for each topic which are nested. See the picture below.
Remember: DITA Map has the extension .ditamap.
Figure 5. DITA Map EXTENSION

TOPIC REFERENCES IN DITA Map

Add your Topics to DITA Map Manager using drag and drop option

Follow the steps to insert the topics

  1. Open the DITA Map you have created
  2. Go to Project View (you have to be able to click on the topics)
  3. Drag the Topic and Drop in the DITA Map

See the pictures below and repeat this

Table 2. Drag and drop topics into the DITA Map
DRAG A TOPIC DROP A TOPIC