A database can be written in any of three text formats. The list below briefly describes these types. Sections 11.6.1–11.6.3 describe the formatting types in detail.
An entire help system (such as the one supplied with PWB or QuickC) can handle any combination of formats. For example, the help files for Microsoft C are written in QuickHelp format, and the README.DOC file is unformatted ASCII.
| Type | Characteristics | |
| QuickHelp | Uses dot commands and embedded formatting characters (the default formatting type expected by HELPMAKE); supports highlighting, color, and cross-references. Files in this format must be compressed before use. | |
| RTF | Uses a subset of standard RTF; supports highlighting, color, and cross-references; supports some dot commands. Files in this format must be compressed before use. | |
| Minimally formatted ASCII | Uses a help delimiter (>>) to define help contexts; does not support highlighting, color, or cross-references. Files in this format can be compressed, but compression is not required. |