Custom Functionality Added Through a Plugin Has Unintended Results

Problem

I have used plugins to customize the behavior of certain functionality in Web Author (for example, custom behavior in the toolbar or custom information in side views) and when a document is opened from the DITA Map view, the custom functionality does not work as expected.

Cause

Starting with version 21.1.1, functionality was added to open documents in the Web Author visual editor without reloading the entire webpage (for example, topics can be opened from the DITA Map view without refreshing the page). Some custom functionality added in plugins prior to this release might require a page reload to work properly.

Solution

To force a page reload whenever a document is opened, disable the Change editors without page reload option in the Administration Page. This should be a temporary fix until the plugin is updated to account for the changes added to Web Author functionality. For more information about this, along with some best practice advice for plugin developers, see Best Practices for Plugin Developers.