DITA Maps and BookMaps

Last Updated : Sep 07, 2018 |

DITA Maps and BookMaps are special types of DITA topics that define the organization, order, hierarchy, and linking of topics in a deliverable. Maps provide the context for DITA topics.

DITA Maps and BookMaps provide only pointers to topics, the topics are not embedded inside the maps. This allows the same topic to appear in different deliverables.

DITA Maps and BookMaps have specific uses:

  • Use the DITA Maps to create component maps. Component maps can be at the chapter level or at lower levels if you have a complicated chapter. Create a map to contain topics at the chapter level.

  • Use the BookMap for deliverable maps. DITA Maps is used to produce PDF, HTML, and .chm and other customized outputs. You will nest component DITA Maps in a Bookmap. However, you cannot nest BookMaps in a BookMap.

    You must create only one BookMap for a publication.

    You can also select a template BookMap appropriate for the document that you plan to create. For example, Administering and Deploying.

A DITA Map and BookMap typically contains two parts:

  • The top part of the map defines the order and hierarchy of the topics in the deliverable.

  • The bottom part contains the relationship table. A relationship table defines the linking between the topics.