Collection-Type Attribute
- Unordered
- Links generate from parents to children and from children to parents.
- Family
- Links generate from parents to children, from children to parents, and from sibling to sibling. Parent topic shows on a different page than children topics.
- Sequence
- Links generate from parents to children and from sibling to sibling in sequential order. Parent topic shows on a different page than children topics.
- Choice
- Links generate from parents to children and from children to parents, but where one child topic is selected to proceed.
Unordered Collection Type
If you're documenting unrelated items that don't follow a specific order, use an unordered collection type. For example, each topic is about a different aspect of a software that is unrelated to the others. In this map, Classic Software is the parent topic and the other topics are children of Classic Software:
When published the parent topic contains links to each of the children topics:
Each of the children contains a link to the parent topic, but not to one another:
Family Collection Type
In a family collection type, all items are related to one another. For example, you have a map discussing troubleshooting strategies for a printer. In this map, Printer Troubleshooting is the parent topic and each of the strategies are children of that parent topic:
When published, the parent topic contains links to each of the children topics:
Each of the children topics contains links to the parent topic and all related topics:
Sequence Collection Type
A sequence collection type is good for information that must be presented in a specific order. For example, you have a series of software installation tasks that need to be completed in order. In this map, Classic Software is the parent topic and each of the procedure topics are children of that parent topic:
When published, the parent topic contains numbered links to each of the children topics:
Each of the children topics contains links to the parent topic and to the previous and next topics in sequence:
Choice Collection Type
A choice collection type is good for information that requires you to choose from two or more options. For example, you are creating a new file in Classic Software and have the option to choose from a blank file, default template, or uploaded template. In this map, Creating a New File is the parent topic and each of the options for creating a file are children of that parent topic:
When published, the parent map contains links to each of the children topics:
Each of the children topics contains links to the parent topic, but not to one another: