How to convert a HLP (WinHelp) help file to a CHM (HTML Help) help file

Step 1

Click Import on the File ribbon tab.

This displays the ‘Import files and folders’ window.

Step 2

To navigate to the file that you’d like to import, click the button to the far right. This displays a window that allows you to locate the file.

Select the file and then click Open. This displays the path to that file on your page.

Then, click Import. This imports the selected file into your project.

Note: You can import folders containing multiple WinHelp HLP files into one HelpNDoc project using the Folder import action.

At this point, you can update the content of the project. Three options are outlined below:

1. Maintain the table of contents

You can add new topics, rename existing topics, remove topics, and modify their order. Further information about managing the table of contents is outlined in other guides:

• How to create a new topic in HelpNDoc
• How to rename a topic in HelpNDoc
• How to move topics in HelpNDoc
• How to delete topics in HelpNDoc

2. Update the topic content

You can update the content as well as images and hyperlinks contained in each topic. You can also check spelling.

Instructions are provided in other step-by-step guides:

• How to insert a library item into a topic
• How to create and update hyperlinks
• How to check the spelling in HelpNDoc

3. Manage your Library items

You can access your library, a centralized storage area that contains all of the multimedia files (e.g. images, photographs, videos, documents, HTML code, variables, and snippets) that are shared across the entire project.

Detailed instructions for managing library items are provided in other guides:

• How to add an item to the library
• How to rename a library item
• How to delete a library item
• How to update a library item
• How to insert a library item into a topic

Step 3

Click the lower half of Generate help in the Home ribbon tab.

This displays a menu of publishing outputs.

Select Chm Documentation.

This generates a CHM help file of your legacy WinHelp HLP help file.

Step 3 Alternative

You can click the top half of Generate help in the Home ribbon tab to access the advanced CHM settings.

This displays the ‘Generate documentation’ window.

Select Build chm documentation in your build list.

If the CHM settings tab is not displayed, click Customize.

After you update the settings, click Generate to publish the CHM help file.

Step 4

This displays a summary.

Click the “Open file” link to view your CHM help file.