Unable to view local HTML content from "Help Content Only" SSL iFrame

Question

Hi
Can anyone confirm whether it is possible to view local HTML files within an iFrame when generating Help Content Only SSL content which is also locally deployed?
I have had no problem viewing local html files from within an iFrame with a locally viewed Browser-Based Help project but despite trying a number of variations on the syntax, I simply cannot obtain the same result from a Help Content Only SSL that is then incorporated within a merged help system. I can however create hyperlinks to view local content using the following syntax (file:/C:\folderName\fileName.html - the only drawback for local preview is that you must right-click and select "open in new tab"). Essentially, I am trying to eliminate the requirement to have to right-click and open in new tab to view local html files.
The project I am working on is deployed both locally and remotely and this whole process is necessary for emergency management and business continuity purposes.
I hope my explanation isn't too convoluted and would be glad to clarify it further if required. I would appreciate any assistance!

Answer 1

Hi John
I appreciate you and Peter obtaining this  information from Adobe and I appreciate your continuing patience in  trying to understand what I am doing.
I will start  from the beginning and hopefully clarify my process when deploying my  application locally (my remote process differs somewhat but is not  germane to this discussion). Obviously this will contain some repetition from previous posts but I hope it helps...
The project itself integrates content created from Adobe RoboHelp with content created within Adobe Dreamweaver
First, I should mention that I am using RoboHelp 8 as I don't believe I have addressed which version I am using. There's nothing particularly unusual about the project itself.
Utilizing Dreamweaver I have created a self-contained HTML-only (no server-side functionality) website which is placed at the root level of the C: drive
Within the RoboHelp project I create a hyperlink to access the local HTML files from the RoboHelp topic pages. The process I use to do so is from within the HTML view of the specific topic page and I use the following file path: "file:/C:\folderName\fileName.html". The only end-user requirement is that they must right-click and select "open in new tab", otherwise the link does not work. Please note, this is ONLY required for accessing the local HTML files.
I output my RoboHelp project using the Adobe Air SSL, with the output type set to "Help Only Content" which creates the .rha files. I utilize multiple .rha files within my project as each .rha file constitutes a module specific to an individual municipality (in my particular instance)
I use the Help Viewer Wizard from the RoboHelp "Toolbox" pod to create what I refer to as the "shell" .air file. Once the "shell" .air file created from the Help Viewer Wizard is  installed, it creates a shortcut on my desktop.
I place an XML .helpcfg file within the directory on C:Program Files where my "shell" .air file has been installed to reference each .rha module which must be placed at the root level of the C: drive in order to be properly referenced by the .helpcfg file
By double-clicking on the desktop shortcut created in Step 6 it opens the "shell" module which, in turn, loads in each individual .rha file which can be accessed individually from the drop-down menu in the top-right corner
Why do I do it this way?? My organization severely restricts admin privileges on our workstations. We have one IT person / several hundred officers so I needed to create a system where the only time we need IT assistance is in the initial installation of the "shell" .air file created from the Help Viewer Wizard and placement of the .helpcfg file within the C: Programs folder. Once this is done, because the .rha files are on the C: drive, I can swap these out and update as necessary (we currently have an annual renewal cycle) and we require no further IT intervention. The local system I have just described has hyperlinks to the online browser-based help so that users can also access it and see any content updates made throughout the course of the school year
Having said all that, based on the model I have just described, I have been trying to create iFrames from within my RoboHelp 8 topic pages (placed on my C: drive) to access the local HTML Dreamweaver site (also on my C: drive). The problem I have been having is that the resultant iFrames display only a blank white page and I have tried a number of variations on the syntax of the file path without success.
The process I have been using to create the iFrame is as follows:
In Design view, select Insert >> HTML >> iFrame
In the iFrame dialog box, provide a name for the iFrame and then navigate to the local file on my C: drive level Dreamweaver HTML-only website that I want to link to.
Click "Apply" and from the resulting dialog box states that "This action will create an external link to the help system... Do you want to continue?", I click "Yes"
The resultant file path is "../../../../../folderName/fileName.html" which obviously won't work but I have created the iFrame and now I switch over to HTML view and insert the file path that I have been using for the hyperlinks ("file:/C:\folderName\fileName.html"). I also modify the width to 100% and the height to 1000 px
The user is not being directed to a different domain. So, if as Adobe states, that iFrames are "supported in local AIR Help (.rha) as well" then I don't know why it will not work for me. Again, this is the file path that allows me to create a hyperlink which will access my local Dreamweaver HTML files: "file:/C:\folderName\fileName.html" so if that syntax works for a hyperlink, why will it not work for the iFrame?
The videos I referenced are also contained within the local Dreamweaver HTML site
My usage of the term "merged help" may have been unclear and hopefully steps 1-8 outline what I am doing
Again, I am very grateful to all who have joined this discussion to try to help me! I think it should be manifestly evident by now that I am self-taught and basically that's the only excuse I can offer in my defense for my poor articulation. Not too many years ago I wanted nothing whatsoever to do with computers!