Creating Cross-References and Links in FrameMaker
When you generate output, ePublisher automatically converts all cross-references in your Adobe FrameMaker source documents to links. Typically Stationery designers specify in Stationery how cross-references should display in generated output. For example, Stationery designers typically specify that cross-references that contain page numbers in source documents display without page numbers in generated output, as page numbers are out of context in online output. If you have target setting permissions, you can also customize the cross-reference formats you want to use when you generate output. For more information about customizing cross-reference settings, see
Setting Cross-References in Projects.
Including cross-references in Adobe FrameMaker source documents is typically the easiest way to produce links in online content. However, in some cases you may not be able to achieve the effect you want by creating links using cross-references. In these cases, you can insert native Adobe FrameMaker Hypertext markers that use the gotolink and message URL hypertext commands in your Adobe FrameMaker source documents and use the Hypertext markers to create the links you want.
To create a link using a cross-reference or Hypertext markers in an Adobe FrameMaker source document
1. If you want to create a link using a cross-reference, complete the following steps:
a. In your Adobe FrameMaker source document, select the text for which you want to create a link.
b. On the Special menu, click Cross-Reference.
c. In the Document field, select the document that contains the content to which you want to link.
d. In the Paragraph Tags field, select the paragraph tag used for the content to which you want to link.
e. In the Paragraphs field, select the paragraph to which you want to link.
f. In the Format field, select the appropriate format for the link. For example, if you are creating a link to a glossary term, select a glossary term cross-reference format.
g. Click Replace.
2. If you want to create a link using hypertext markers, complete the following steps:
a. In your Adobe FrameMaker source document, insert your cursor in front of the link target text.
b. On the Special menu, click Marker.
c. In the Marker Type field, select Hypertext from the list.
d. In the Marker Text field, type newlink linkname or newlink filename:linkname, where linkname is the name of the named destination for the link, and filename is the name of the file that contains the link, if the link is in a different Adobe FrameMaker source document. To make maintenance easy, create short link names that use alphanumeric, lowercase characters.
e. Click New Marker.
f. Insert your cursor in front of the word or phrase for which you want to create a link.
a. On the Special menu, click Marker.
b. In the Marker Type field, select Hypertext from the list.
c. In the Marker Text field, type gotolink linkname or gotolink filename:linkname, where linkname is the name of the named destination you created for the link, and filename is the name of the file that contains the link, if the link is in a different Adobe FrameMaker source document.
d. Click New Marker.
e. Select the word or phrase for which you want to create a link. The selected area must contain the both text and the hypertext marker you created.
f. Apply a link character format to the word or phrase. Applying a link character format to the word or phrase makes the link appear active, or clickable, in the generated output. If you do not know which character format to use for links, consult the Stationery designer.
3. If you want to create a link to a PDF file, complete the following steps:
a. In the FrameMaker menu, go to Special > Hypertext
b. From the Command dropdown menu, chose Message Client
c. In the Syntax text box, type message openfile relative_path where relative_path is the relative directory where you have your PDF located and then you add example.pdf to this path
4. Save your Adobe FrameMaker source document.
Last modified date: 11/30/2021