The <topichead> element in DITA XML is used to group related DITA topics together within a DITA map or hierarchy. This element helps in organizing and structuring content, making it easier to manage and navigate complex documentation projects.

Creating Topic Groups

To create a group of related topics, you can use the <topichead> element as follows:

<topichead>
  <title>Topic Group Title</title>
  <topicref href="topic1.dita"/>
  <topicref href="topic2.dita"/>
  <topicref href="topic3.dita"/>
</topichead>

In this example, a <topichead> element is used to group three related topics (topic1.dita, topic2.dita, and topic3.dita) under a common heading “Topic Group Title.” This grouping helps in maintaining the logical structure of the documentation.

When you generate output or navigate within a DITA-aware tool, the topics grouped under a <topichead> element are presented together, making it easier for users to find and access relevant information.