View a branched component

After you create a branch, you can see the list of referenced components in the Branch Management tool. If a referenced topic is also part of another branch, you can quickly open a read-only copy if it.

To view a branched component:

  1. Click Components.
  2. In the Folders pane, navigate to the folder where you've saved the branched component.
  3. In the Components pane, locate the branched component you want to open.
    • A black icon indicates this is the source component for a branch
    • A green icon indicates this was branched because a source component referenced it
    • An orange icon indicates this is both the source of one branch and included in another branch because a different source component referenced it
  4. Right-click the component, select Advanced, and then select Branch Management.

    Results:

    • The Branch Management screen opens.
    • If this is the first time you have opened this component in the tool, you won't see any references listed.
  5. On the Branch Management screen, if you don't see any references listed:

    1. In Select referenced components, select one of the following options:
      • All referenced components
      • Referenced components except xref/conref
      • Referenced components except xref/conref/images
    2. Select the Show referenced components checkbox.
  6. On the Branch Management screen, select a branched component.
  7. At the end of the component's row, select the Options menu and then select Show branches.

    Results:

    • The Show branches screen opens in front of the Branch Management screen.

  8. On the Show branches screen, select a Branch, select the Options menu, and then select View.

    Results:

    A screen opens showing you the content of the component as Read-Only.

    If you want to edit a branched component, follow the steps in: Edit a branched component.