Microsoft HTML Help 1.4

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 an online Help Viewer, related help components, and help authoring tools from Microsoft Corporation. The Help Viewer uses the underlying components of Microsoft Internet Explorer to display help content. It supports HTML, ActiveX, Java, scripting languages (JScript, and Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition), and HTML image formats (.jpeg, .gif, and .png files). The help authoring tool, HTML Help Workshop, provides an easy-to-use system for creating and managing help projects and their related files.

Important Please note that the latest version of the HTML Help technology is 1.4, as is the SDK. The latest version of the HTML Help Workshop download is 1.3. As of March 2012 there is no HTML Help Workshop 1.4.

In the Microsoft HTML Help 1.4 SDK Documentation

Topic	Description
HTML Help and Windows 7	This topic describes an important safety feature added to HTML Help in Windows 7.
Designing a Help System	The topics in this section describe how to design a help system.
Creating Help	The topics in this section describe how to get started creating help.
Using HTML Help on the Web	You can use the functionality available in HTML Help to create powerful, dynamic websites.
HTML Help References	This section contains HTML Help reference topics.
HTML Help Tasks	This section contains a complete list of basic tasks. You will combine these tasks in various ways as you design and create your help system.
HTML Help Frequently Asked Questions	This topic contains the answers to several frequently asked questions.
Microsoft HTML Help Downloads	All HTML Help downloads are now available from the Microsoft.com Download Center.
About New Features in this Release	This version of Microsoft HTML Help contains several new features.
About New Documentation for this Release	The Microsoft HTML Help 1.3 release contains the following new and updated documentation components.
About Converting Existing Help Projects	Microsoft HTML Help is the next-generation online authoring system from Microsoft Corporation and is based on Microsoft WinHelp 4.0.
The HTML Help Components	HTML Help is made up of several components.
HTML Help End-User License Agreement	END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR MICROSOFT SOFTWARE

Additional Information

HTML Help Downloads: Get the latest version of HTML Help here.
HTML Help MVP Program: Learn about Help MVPs and other online resources that are available for Help authors and developers.