2.4.1.1 Table of contents

Processors can generate a table of contents (TOC) based on the hierarchy of the elements in a DITA map. By default, each <topicref> element in a map represents a node in the TOC. These topic references define a navigation tree.

When a map contains a topic reference to a map (often called a map reference), processors should integrate the navigation tree of the referenced map with the navigation tree of the referencing map at the point of reference. In this way, a deliverable can be compiled from multiple DITA maps.

Note: If a <topicref> element that references a map contains child <topicref> elements, the processing behavior regarding the child <topicref> elements is undefined.

The effective navigation title is used for the value of the TOC node. A TOC node is generated for every <topicref> element that references a topic or specifies a navigation title, except in the following cases:

To suppress a <topicref> element from appearing in the TOC, set the @toc attribute to "no". The value of the @toc attribute cascades to child <topicref> elements, so if @toc is set to "no" on a particular <topicref>, all children of the <topicref> element are also excluded from the TOC. If a child <topicref> overrides the cascading operation by specifying toc="yes", then the node that specifies toc="yes" appears in the TOC (minus the intermediate nodes that set @toc to "no").

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