Microsoft Corporation
Updated: July 16, 1999
Microsoft® HTML Help is the standard help system for
the Windows platform. Authors can use HTML Help to create online help for a
software application or to create content for a multimedia title or Web site.
Developers can use the HTML Help API to program a host application or hook up
context-sensitive help to an application. As an information delivery system,
HTML Help is suited for a wide range of applications, including training guides,
interactive books, and electronic newsletters, as well as help for software
applications.
HTML Help offers some distinct advantages over standard
HTML, such as the ability to implement a combined table of contents and index
and the use of keywords for advanced hyperlinking capability. The HTML Help
compiler (part of the HTML Help Workshop) makes it possible to compress HTML,
graphic, and other files into a relatively small compiled help (.chm) file,
which can then be distributed with a software application, or downloaded from
the Web.
HTML Help consists of the following components:
- The
HTML Help ActiveX® control, which provides navigation features,
such as table of contents, index, related topics links, and initial splash
window for Web sites and the HTML Help Viewer.
- The layout engine, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer version
3.0 or later or any browser that supports ActiveX controls.
- The HTML Help Viewer, which help authors can use to display
compiled HTML in a customized, resizable window, independent of the user's
browser.
- Compressed HTML, which combines all sources (HTML, ActiveX
controls, ActiveX Scripting, Java applets, graphics, full-text search
indexes, keywords, and more) and compresses them into a single file.
- Microsoft HTML Help Workshop, which contains a help compiler,
WinHelp converter, and all the other tools necessary for creating and
maintaining an HTML Help project.
- Pop-up windows, which enable help authors to create small
windows for definitions or glossary terms that appear on top of a topic
window.
Microsoft HTML Help 1.21 is available and free to
download
HTML Help 1.21 New Features
Along with feature upgrades, the Microsoft HTML Help 1.21
release includes these new features:
- A Favorites tab, which enables users to save a list
of topics they use most often.
- Advanced full-text search features.
- A full-text search stop list, which makes searches
faster and more efficient.
- Automatic hiding of the Navigation pane when a user
switches focus from a compiled help file to a software application.
- New accessibility shortcut keys.
- Updated and expanded documentation, with reference
information and scripting examples.
Upcoming events
- August 25-28, 1999: The Help Technology Conference, Boston, Massachusetts.
For more information on upcoming events, visit the
HTML Help
Events Page.
More information about HTML Help
Back to top