7.4 Use cross references

Generally, you want any cross reference you make in the FrameMaker document to work smoothly in the converted web of HTML files. For example, assume that your document has several chapters, and each chapter converts to a separate node in the web. If your document contains cross references from one chapter to another, you want the WWW user to be able to click on the cross reference to get to the chapter that is referenced. WebMaker can convert cross references to mouse-sensitive hypertext links, but only if you use real cross references in the FrameMaker document.

To create a real cross reference, use FrameMaker's Special > Cross-References command. This command creates a logical cross reference, which WebMaker can handle. In contrast, if you simply type in words like: "See Chapter One", the result is plain text, not a logical cross reference. WebMaker has no way of knowing that the words "See Chapter One" should be converted to a link to another web node.

If you use logical cross references, you gain these advantages:

• You can update them automatically in FrameMaker, so that if the name, number, or page number of the referenced section changes, the entire document is updated to the new information.
• You have provided the information that enables WebMaker to easily translate cross references to hypertext links.

Cross references within the same MIF file or book are automatically translated to hypertext links. However, cross references between independent documents are not converted to hypertext links.