Images can be used in various types of DITA topics to enhance content, illustrate concepts, and improve user comprehension. Images are a versatile and essential component of DITA topics, adding visual context to textual information. They can be integrated into a wide range of DITA topic types to serve different purposes and improve the overall quality of documentation.

Images are employed in each of the core DITA topic types: concept, task, reference, and troubleshooting.

• Concept Topics: In concept topics, images can provide visual representations of abstract ideas or overarching concepts. For example, a concept topic explaining the fundamentals of aerodynamics might include diagrams illustrating lift and drag forces.
• Task Topics: Task topics often include images to provide step-by-step guidance. For example, in a software user manual, a task topic demonstrating how to configure email settings might include screenshots of the interface and relevant buttons.
• Reference Topics: Reference topics, such as glossaries, benefit from images to accompany definitions or explanations. An image of a specific tool’s icon in a glossary topic can help users quickly identify it in the software interface.
• Troubleshooting Topics: Troubleshooting topics can feature images to depict common issues or error messages. Visual aids assist users in identifying and resolving problems efficiently.

Example

An installation manual for a home appliance consists of multiple DITA topic types. In a task topic explaining how to assemble the appliance, images illustrate the assembly steps. In a reference topic that includes technical specifications for the appliance, images display the product’s key features and labels.