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Web Workshop  |  DHTML, HTML & CSS  |  HTML Help

Introducing HTML Help

Microsoft Corporation

Updated: August 4, 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 1.22 is available and free to download

   * Download HTML Help 1.22

HTML Help 1.22 Updates

No new features have been introduced in version 1.22, but several problems
have been fixed:

   * Problems with the reading order of text on mixed-language systems have
     been fixed. Text in the index and in pop-up windows now displays in
     the correct reading order when Hebrew and English text are mixed.
     Previously popup text in English displayed in right-to-left reading
     order, making the text unreadable.
   * Embedded Index controls now refresh properly. Previously the Index
     failed to refresh after reloading Internet Explorer on systems where
     the Active Desktop is installed.
   * The search feature now works correctly on compiled help files (.chm)
     which are stored on removable media such as compact disc, JAZ and Zip
     disks. In addition, the search input box now accepts DBCS characters
     correctly on systems where Internet Explorer version 5.0 is in use.

Upcoming events

   * August 25-28, 1999: The Help Technology Conference, Boston,
     Massachusetts.
   * November 1-4, 1999: Help 99 Conference & Exhibition, Dallas, Texas.

For more information on upcoming events, visit the HTML Help Events Page.

More information about HTML Help

   * HTML Help features
   * Redistribution files (in 28 language versions)
   * The HTML Help MVP Program
   * The Official Microsoft HTML Help Authoring Kit
   * C/C++ Users Journal: The New HTML Help Standard[Non-MS link]
   * Visual Basic Explorer HTML Help Center[Non-MS link]

Updates to this Web site

The following components are now available for download:

   * HTML Help version 1.22
   * The HTML Help Installation and Update Package (Hhupd.exe) version 1.22
   * the HTML Help 1.22 documentation

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