This guide uses the following typographical conventions.
| Convention | Use |
| Bold | Indicates C language-specific terms and options (for example, WinHelp), and options and commands specific to Windows Help (for example, the ROOT option). |
| Italic | Introduces new terms and indicates placeholders. You provide the actual value for the placeholder. |
| FULL CAPS | Represent filenames (for example, WINHELP.EXE) and commands specific to Windows Help (for example, HELP_CONTENTS). |
| SMALL CAPS | Represent key names (such as ENTER). |
| KEY+KEY | Indicates that you must press the keys at the same time. For example, “Press ALT+F4” means to hold down ALT and press F4. |
| [brackets] | Enclose optional items in syntax statements. For example, [window-name] indicates a window name may be needed in the syntax statement. Type only the information within the brackets, not the brackets themselves. |
| {braces} | Enclose required items in syntax statements. Type only the information within the braces, not the braces themselves. |
| Semicolon (;) | Introduces comments in the Help project file. The Help compiler ignores these lines. |
Monospace |
Represents program code and Help examples. |
| Horizontal ellipsis (...) | Indicates that the item shown might appear more than once. |
| Vertical ellipsis (. . .) |
Indicates that the example omits a portion of the file or program. |