A CHM help file is a type of file format for providing help documentation and user manuals for software applications. CHM stands for “Compiled HTML Help”, which means that the help file is a compiled collection of HTML pages, images, and other multimedia resources that are designed to be accessed through a user interface. CHM help files are commonly used in Windows-based software applications, and they are accessed through a dedicated viewer program called the HTML Help Viewer. They can be created using the HelpNDoc help authoring tool.
Sharing documentation effectively and securely is critical in the modern workplace. Whether youre distributing internal manuals, project documentation, or company policies, the HelpNDoc help authoring tool provides a versatile solution by generating a variety of documentation formats from a single source project. These formats include CHM, HTML, Word, PDF, ePub, Kindle, Qt Help, and Markdown. Each format has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to internal and private sharing. In this blog post, well explore the best practices for using these different formats within your organization, to ensure that your team has the access they need while maintaining security and ease of use. HelpNDocs ability to create multiple documentation formats makes it suitable for various scenarios and restrictions, providing a comprehensive solution for your documentation needs.
You can use HelpNDoc to import and convert a CHM help file into a PDF document. The PDF document contains not only the content from the CHM file, but also the images, hyperlinks and organizational structure, including the table of contents. After importing the CHM help file, you have the option of updating the content.
Users expect their documentation to be easily accessible from the wide variety of devices available to them such as the popular eBook readers. Unfortunately, those eReaders can't handle the CHM file format. Using HelpNDoc, it is easy to import an existing CHM help file and convert it to an ePub or Kindle eBook.
The Microsoft WinHelp HLP file format was introduced with Windows 3.0 in 1990 as the default help file format for the Windows operating system. As of Windows 10, Microsoft doesn't provide any HLP file viewer anymore, making this legacy help file format unusable. Fortunately, HelpNDoc can import existing WinHelp HLP file and convert them to the standard Windows Compiled HTML Help (CHM) file format.
CHM help files are used to provide online help and documentation for software applications, plugins or drivers, and are commonly distributed with Windows installers. Third-party programs like HelpNDoc are specialized help authoring software tools that can make it easier and faster to create a CHM help file. Using a third-party program to create a CHM help file can provide several benefits compared to using the built-in HTML Help Workshop program provided by Microsoft, as they offer a user-friendly graphical interface, powerful features, time-saving tools, and flexibility that can make it easier and more efficient to create a professional-looking CHM help file. In this article, we will discuss these benefits in more detail and provide an overview of the steps for creating a CHM help file using a help authoring tool. Whether you are new to creating help files or an experienced technical writer, these programs can provide valuable tools and resources to help you create high-quality help content for your users.
Creating CHM (Compiled HTML Help) files with HelpNDoc is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly interface and powerful features. In this article we'll look into the specifics of how you can set the initial position and size of your CHM files to make sure they open exactly the way you want them to. We'll also touch on some of the limitations of this help file format and provide a useful tip for resetting your CHM file settings. Let's get started!
In order to generate documentation in CHM format, you must first download and install Microsoft's HTML Help Workshop compiler. This free compiler allows you to use HelpNDoc to generate CHM help files on Windows.
We previously covered how to embed a YouTube video in your CHM or HTML help files. While YouTube is a great platform to share videos, some might prefer one of its main competitor, Vimeo. Fortunately, integrating a Vimeo video into your CHM or HTML help files is extremely easy with HelpNDoc
In this blog post, we'll explore the practical side of the "Keep Temporary Files" feature. Why is it useful? How can it make your life as a technical writer easier? We'll look at scenarios where this feature is particularly helpful, from simplifying troubleshooting to aiding in complex documentation projects. Whether you're new to the HelpNDoc help authoring tool or have been using it for a while, understanding how to effectively use this feature can streamline your workflow and save you time in the long run. Let's delve into how the "Keep Temporary Files" option can be a valuable asset in your technical writing toolkit.
