Freeware Directory

Freeware - Programming - Help File Tools

HelpNDoc is an easy to use yet powerful and intuitive tool to create html help files. HelpNDoc provides a clear and efficient interface to build html help files without worrying about the inner working of help file generation. You just have to enter your text in the built-in word processor and hit the "Compile" button to obtain a fully functional help file which looks exactly as you designed it. Note: the free version adds a 'generated by' message plus a link back to the HelpNdoc website.

HelpMaker is an application to create help files without an expensive word-processor, without having to manage multiple files. Writing help files is called help authoring, you can make whole help files using HelpMaker, it makes WinHelp, RTF and HTML-Help files.

Shalom Help Maker (SHM) works like an ordinary editor and therefore has practically no learning curve, and you don't need MS Word! Start typing, insert pictures and write page headers -now everybody can make their own help files! Supports images, popup windows, links to other pages and web pages, has automatic updating of links when pages are rearranged, listing of unused bitmaps and popup pages, links to the present page, page preview and lots more. Note: SHM makes hlp files, not chm files.

Microsoft may be pushing for HTML Help, but unless your program requires Windows 98/2000, you're probably better off using the standard Windows Help. EclipseHelp is a fast way to create help files, all in one program. You don't need Microsoft Word; all you need is Microsoft Help Workshop, which is included on most Microsoft programming language CDs. Links between topics are accomplished simply, without using "hidden text" or custom-writing macros. You may want to use a more comprehensive help building system if you have a very large project, but for small or medium-sized projects, EclipseHelp can't be beat for the price!