Note: You can also link an existing topic.

Each topic that you link is automatically placed beneath the parent document that you have selected. If the parent document has existing linked documents, the new topic appears at the end of the list. For example, if you link a new topic under a section that has three existing topics, the new topic appears after the third topic.

When you link a new topic from the Outline Editor, some of the default properties that appear are initially inherited from the parent module or section to which the topic is linked and other properties are initially set to the values that you have configured in the Options dialog box. For example, the general properties (Template, Language, Resolution, and Glossary) are inherited from the parent document, whereas topic-specific properties (Play Modes and Know It options) are the same as the defaults set in Options dialog box.

Empty vs. Recorded Topic

A new topic is empty until you open it and start recording. An empty topic is distinguished from a recorded topic by its icon. When you open an empty topic, the Recorder starts. You can continue to record an application or you can click Finish to cancel the recording and return to the Outline Editor. Once you start recording and click Finish, the topic opens in the Topic Editor ready for editing.

Publishing Note: Empty topics are not included in any published output.

 Multi-user Considerations

• A Check Out Parent Document message appears when you perform actions that impact a parent document that you do not have checked out such as linking a document, moving a document, pasting a document, deleting document links, and so on.
   
  Any new document that you create or link is automatically checked out to you. If you want to make a new document available to multiple authors and place the document under the Developer's version control system, you must check it in.
   
  See Check In and Check Out Documents in Use the Developer in a Multi-user Environment for more information.

To link a new topic:

1. Display the Outline Editor by opening the outline or section for which you want to link a new topic.
    
2. Select the parent document to which you want link the new topic.
    
3. On the Link menu, choose  New Topic.
    
   You can also right-click the parent document and choose Link New Topic.
    
   A new topic is linked (and automatically saved) and appears beneath the parent document with a default name that you should change. You can also rename the new topic after it is linked and saved.