Compiled HTML Help File CHM Creation and Deployment Guide

Creating a compiled HTML help file (CHM) can be a bit tricky, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can create a professional-looking help file in no time.

To start, you'll need to choose a tool to create your CHM file. There are several options available, including Microsoft HTML Help Workshop and MadCap Flare. According to our guide, Microsoft HTML Help Workshop is a free tool that's great for small projects, while MadCap Flare is a more advanced tool that's better suited for larger projects.

A CHM file is essentially a compiled version of your HTML help content, which means it's a self-contained file that can be easily distributed to users. This makes it a great option for software developers who want to provide users with easy access to their product's documentation.

To create a CHM file, you'll need to have your HTML help content ready to go. This can include topics, images, and other media that will be included in your help file.

You can access the Compile Project dialog by pressing F9, which allows you to select the HTML Help format for your compiled CHM file.

To compile an HTML Help file, select HTML Help in the Output Format box and choose any additional build tags or options you want to apply.

You can also skip the Compile Project dialog and apply the previously used options, including build tags, by clicking the lower half of the Compile button on the Project tab.

Batch compilation mode allows you to compile documentation in multiple output formats or generate different versions of the same help file using build tags.

To use batch compilation mode, you can add a new compilation task, but for more details, you'll need to visit the relevant topic.

If you want to access the options for CHM files, you can do so by selecting the CHM source file in the project window and then clicking on String List Settings in the Home tab.

Expand your knowledge: Coding Tags for Html

The CHM Options tab allows you to add a Windows help project file (HHP) or create one automatically, which can contain more information than the CHM file itself.

If you have a CHM target file, you can extract and translate the files contained in the CHM source file using Passolo, and then save or delete the generated files as needed.

You can also compile the translated files directly into a CHM file using the Compile CHM help file option, but be aware that errors in the CHM file may require further investigation using the Microsoft HTML Help Workshop.

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HelpSmith allows you to specify a custom location for your compiled CHM help file.

By default, HelpSmith puts the compiled CHM help file in the same directory as your project file. If your project has never been saved, it will use your Windows "My Documents" folder as the default output directory.

You can choose to keep your CHM file in the default location or move it to a different folder.

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You can integrate a compiled HTML Help file (CHM) into various applications, including Windows desktop applications, .NET applications, Visual Basic or VBA applications, and Delphi applications.

To interact with a CHM file from a .NET application, you can use the HTML Help API, which can be found in the Windows SDK, MSDN, or your development tool's documentation.

A .NET application can use a CHM file by following the examples provided for C#, VB.NET, etc.

You can also use a CHM file in a Visual Basic or VBA application, as well as in a Delphi application.

To distribute an HTML Help system, you only need to distribute the single .CHM file, unless your CHM file contains video files, in which case you should also distribute those video files.

An HTML Help system is stored within a single .CHM file, making it easy to distribute with your application.

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Microsoft HTML Help Workshop is no longer supported by Microsoft, making it a less reliable option for creating CHM help files.

It's best to use HelpNDoc, which provides a clean and efficient user interface with a WYSIWYG editor similar to Microsoft Word.

HelpNDoc takes care of the complex coding format of the Microsoft HTML Help Workshop compiler, automatically creating the necessary source files like "alias.h", "project.hhp", and "toc.hhc" for you.

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JavaScript and CSS can be used in HTML Help to implement non-standard functionality in HTML-based documentation and apply special formatting attributes.

HelpSmith allows you to include and use JavaScript and CSS files in help topics of your HTML Help (CHM) system. This capability can be used to add HTML attributes to the page elements and insert custom HTML code into a help topic.

You can use these capabilities to apply special formatting attributes to your documentation, making it more engaging and interactive for your users.

If you need your users to access your help system through a network, you can consider the Web Help format as an alternative to HTML Help.

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Microsoft HTML Help Workshop is no longer supported by Microsoft, and it's not Unicode compliant, so it's best to look for alternatives.

The software contains multiple bugs and limitations, which can make it difficult to use. Fortunately, HelpNDoc provides a straightforward user interface that encapsulates the outdated compiler.

HelpNDoc has a clean and efficient user interface with a WYSIWYG editor similar to Microsoft Word. This makes it easy to write and format your documentation.

You won't need to learn the complex coding format required by the Microsoft HTML Help Workshop compiler. HelpNDoc will automatically create the necessary files for you.

The tool will even work around the various bugs of the Microsoft HTML Help Workshop compiler to make the process as smooth as possible. Simply write the content of your documentation, hit the "Generate CHM Documentation" button, and your CHM help file is ready.