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Structure your guide in the Outline page

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After you create a guide by using the Dynamics 365 Guides PC app, or when you open an existing guide, the Outline page appears. On the Outline page, you create a framework for your guide by adding as many tasks and steps as you need. Tasks are groups of steps. Steps are the short, separate work items that operators complete to perform the task. Steps are the central building blocks in Dynamics 365 Guides.

Outline page.

Note

You can also use the Outline page to select an anchoring method for the guide or change the existing anchoring method. For information about how to anchor a guide, see Anchor your guide to the real world.

The Outline page provides a great way to map out your guide at the start, or to get an overall picture of the guide after you add all the tasks and steps. You can also restructure your guide from the Outline page by dragging tasks and steps.

The Outline page includes a special Completion step that is included in all guides. This step lets operators know that they are at the end of the guide. The default Completion step includes default text that you can customize. You can also add a custom Completion step to add a website, email, guide, custom app, or Power Apps link.

Completion step.

Here's an example of a filled-in Outline page.

Filled-in Outline page from a Pylon wiring guide.

Other pages accessible from the Outline page

You can use the buttons in the navigation bar on the left side of the Outline page to go to other pages in the PC app. The following table describes these buttons.

Button Name Action
Open Navigation button. Open Navigation Expand the navigation bar so that it includes a description for each button.
Home button. Home Go to the Welcome page, where you can create a new guide or open an existing guide.
Analyze button. Analyze Go to the Analyze page, where you can set up Power BI reports (Guides Analytics) to analyze your guides.
Anchor button. Anchor Open the Choose an anchor method wizard, where you can select an anchoring method for your guide or change the existing anchoring method.
Step button. Step Go to the Step Editor page, where you can add instruction text and supporting 2D or 3D content.

Tasks and steps

When you open the Outline page for a newly created guide, a single task and a single step are created for you.

Task and step in a new guide.

The following table describes the actions for working with tasks and steps.

Action Steps
Change the name of a task. Enter a new name in the Task name box.
Enter instruction text for a step. Enter text in the box below the task name. When you start to enter text, the Step Editor page appears. Learn more: Step Editor overview.
Add a new task. Select Add task below the last task or set of steps. Alternatively, select the Task menu (...) button to the right of the task name, and then select Insert a task.
Add a new step. Select Add step.
Remove a task and its steps. Select the Task menu (...) button to the right of the task name, and then select Remove task and steps.
Change the instruction text for the default Completion step. Select the Completion step. The Step Editor page appears. Learn more: Step Editor overview.
Add a custom Completion step. Learn more: Add a custom completion step.
Rearrange tasks or steps. Drag the task or step to move it where you want.

Best practices for the Outline page

  • To provide overall context, add an Overview task at the beginning of the guide. This task should include just one step that describes what the guide is about. This step is also a good place to list all the tasks that the guide covers.

  • At the beginning and end of each task, add a step to let operators know when they finish something or start something new. This type of step can help operators feel successful when they complete a task.

  • Don't be afraid to add lots of steps. However, for the best effect, remember to keep the steps short.

  • Consider adding steps that show individual tips and tricks.

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