antdickens
Programmer
anyone have any tips for creating help files?
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creating help files
- Thread starter antdickens
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jgoodman00
Programmer
- Jan 23, 2001
- 1,510
I have office XP, & created my help file using fronpage. I then used the HTML Help Workshop (which is packaged with visual studio I believe). After considerable tweaking, I have now created quite a good help file, which can be searched bookmarked etc.
However, connecting it to the database, so that it responds to the F1 key appears to be a mine-field. I followed the Access help to the letter (you have to create a c-style header file), but it never actually connected successfully.
You might for this reason find it better to write your help documentation in rtf, rather than html. However, I think the html help files look better... James Goodman
However, connecting it to the database, so that it responds to the F1 key appears to be a mine-field. I followed the Access help to the letter (you have to create a c-style header file), but it never actually connected successfully.
You might for this reason find it better to write your help documentation in rtf, rather than html. However, I think the html help files look better... James Goodman
Good Morning
You can create using Word or any other Text editor but it is time consuming and not many people now use this method anymore. If you are interested, I will list the steps or send you a link to how to do this.
However, most developers use some Help authoring tool, I was unaware of the Front page method but that is a way to create Help Files. Industry standard right now is RoBoHelp but it is very expensive. I highly recommend HelpScribble though ( It is a fraction of the price, easy to use and creates professional Help files. I have used on it on several projects and found that I have no problems. The F1 key problem that James mentioned is a non issue with HelpScribble as it works perfectly.
I hope this helps,
Rewdee
P.s. I have no association with HelpScribble other than an user of its product. Just a personal testimonial.
You can create using Word or any other Text editor but it is time consuming and not many people now use this method anymore. If you are interested, I will list the steps or send you a link to how to do this.
However, most developers use some Help authoring tool, I was unaware of the Front page method but that is a way to create Help Files. Industry standard right now is RoBoHelp but it is very expensive. I highly recommend HelpScribble though ( It is a fraction of the price, easy to use and creates professional Help files. I have used on it on several projects and found that I have no problems. The F1 key problem that James mentioned is a non issue with HelpScribble as it works perfectly.
I hope this helps,
Rewdee
P.s. I have no association with HelpScribble other than an user of its product. Just a personal testimonial.
I use visage software *Windows Help Designer* works great and is very easy to use. I then program the location of my help files into my app and thats it. When the user clicks help they get my help instead of Access. I believe its I have no affiliation with this company. Microsoft Office 2000 Visual Basic from Microsoft Press has a good article on using the method I described above worth the read starts on page 549.
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