As you are recording a topic, you may have to choose one of several possible methods for completing a task. For example, you may need to decide between using a menu path and clicking a toolbar icon. If you want to document some of these alternative methods for your users, you can insert Alternative Paths within the topic. While Alternative Actions can display a single action only, Alternative Paths may include several steps. These paths may be shorter or longer than the primary path, or an equivalent number of steps. Alternative Paths guide the user through alternative steps to accomplish the same task as the primary steps. 


To insert an Alternative Path, you must determine which frame is the starting point for the path. You also need to identify the frame that is the end point, which is where the path rejoins the main path of the topic. When you insert an Alternative Path, the current frame becomes the starting point for the path and the Frame Structure is automatically displayed if necessary to allow you to select the appropriate end frame. When positioned in the Frame Structure, the mouse pointer changes into a black arrow attached to a circle with the letter E. You can use the arrow to designate the end frame for the path.


You do not need to record a start screen for an Alternative Path. The screenshot for the frame already exists; you are simply recording a new action to associate with that screenshot. You press PRINTSCREEN after every action completed in the Alternative Path, and you must click the Finish button in the Recorder to end recording the Alternative Path when you reach the designated end frame.


Alternative Paths are not available in See It! mode. In the Player, a user can select the Show next Alternative action icon to follow a path in Try It! mode and Do It! mode.


To insert an Alternative Path beginning on the current frame:

  1. On the Insert menu, choose Insert Alternative Path Alternative Path.
     
  2. Use the black arrow to click the circle representing the frame you want to use as the end frame of the Alternative Path.
     
  3. Set up the application in which you want to record to display the starting screen of the first action of the Alternative Path.
     
  4. Perform the first action you want to record.
     
  5. Press PRINTSCREEN to capture the action.
     
  6. Perform the next action you want to record.
     
  7. Press PRINTSCREEN to capture the results of the step.
     
    Repeat as necessary to complete the Alternative Path.
     
  8. Click Finish.

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