An essential, but often overlooked, aspect of building Windows applications is the Help system, as this is where users turn for assistance in times of confusion. Windows Forms support two different types of Help, each provided via the HelpProvider component. The first involves pointing the user to a Help file of either HTML or HTMLHelp 1.x or greater format. The second can display brief "What's This"-type Help on individual controls; this is especially useful on dialog boxes. Each of these types of Help has its strengths and weaknesses, and both methods can be used on the same form.
Finally, the ToolTip component may be used to provide individual Help for controls on Windows Forms.
In This Section
- Providing Help in a Windows Application
- Explains how to use the HelpProvider component to link controls to files in a Help system.
- Displaying Pop-up Help
- Explains how to use the HelpProvider component to show pop-up Help on Windows Forms.
- Control Help Using ToolTips
- Describes using the ToolTip component to show control-specific Help.
Related Sections
- HelpProvider Component (Windows Forms)
- Explains the basics of the HelpProvider component.
- ToolTip Component (Windows Forms)
- Explains the basics of the ToolTip component.
- Introduction to Windows Forms
- Explains the basics of Windows Forms.
- Windows Forms
- Provides an overview of Windows Forms.