Windows® Help File Authoring

Windows help authoring is an exciting field, and you can be a part of it starting right here. If you have never written a Windows help file but want to, this section is for you! Here you can learn how to create a basic help file that will run on any Windows platform. Here too, you can learn how to add advanced Windows features to Windows 3.1 help files.

Point of fact, Windows 3.1 help files run on Window 9x, ME, NT, 2000, and XP, and you can build one for no more than the on-line fee for perusing this section, and the downloading of a compiler. The Windows 3.1 compiler and Windows 95 help workshop and compiler are available for downloading off the Web!

Contained within these pages are discussions of - and links to tools, compilers, and reference material to help get you started. There are additional links to other help author's sites and help authoring tool (HAT) vendors.

HTML Solution. Microsoft has introduced HTMLHelp (HyperText Markup Language) to replace the WinHelp engine as the standard help file provider for Windows and Windows applications. The newest Version of HTMLHelp is available for download here. The Official Microsoft HTML Help Authoring Kit is available from Microsoft Press. Microsoft uses HTML Help exclusively. Many other vendors have converted as well. However, WinHelp is still supported and in demand.

1. Want to learn how to build a help file? Easy steps for creating a basic help file, compatible with any Windows platform.

2. If you want to learn how to build a help file, then you need to learn how to create a Windows project file (*.hpj).

3. Create contents file (*.cnt), and spruce up those Windows 3.1 help files with Windows 9x/NT features.

4. WinHelp Authoring tools, utilities and compilers.

5. WinHelp books.

6. WEB links to other help file authors, and authoring tools (HATs).

7. Winhelp 16 and 32 bit APIs for VB and VBA programmers.

The winds of change department. MSHelp2 is is the help system used by Visual Studio .NET.