About Windows Help

Windows Help lets users view Help files and other online documents in the Microsoft Windows graphical environment. Windows Help files present online information using the following elements:

nText, with multiple fonts, type sizes, and colors

nGraphics (in several formats and using as many as 16 colors)

nSegmented hypergraphics (bitmaps with embedded hot spots)

nCross-reference jumps for linking information

nPop-up windows for presenting additional text and graphics in a nonintrusive way

nSecondary windows for presenting information in a controlled format

nKeyword search capability for finding specific information

Windows Help provides a practical way to combine different types of information into a format users can access easily from Windows and from Windows-based applications. Use Windows Help to:

nCreate Help files for a Windows-based application.

nSupplement or replace printed product documentation.

nCreate stand-alone online documents.

nConvert hard-to-access printed manuals into electronic format.

Note:

Even though you can use the Windows Help tools to create different types of electronic documents, this guide refers to all created files as “Help files.” The information, however, applies equally to these other documents.