How do I export a table to CHM or WinHelp?

I have a database table containing help information.

The table has 2 columns:

HelpKeyword
HelpContent

I would like to convert this to the standard Windows help format - either CHM or WinHelp.

In fact, I would like to get a standard help project so I can import it into a good help editor and edit it from there.

Is there any ready-made tool which is able to do this?

I need it to take a database or CSV, and convert it to a Windows Help project, or at least compile it to a CHM.

Thanks!

MX
Monday, January 5, 2004

I think you could do something like this:

1. Import you data into a CityDesk file.
2. Generate a set of HTML pages with your help data
3. Use MS HTML Help Workshop to make a CHM from the HTML pages.

Keep in mind I haven't actually done this, but I'm reasonably confident it'd work.

Kevin
Monday, January 5, 2004

Thank you for your suggestion.


I have found a different solution, and it works well:

For every record, I create a HTML file with the name <TopicName.htm>.

Then, I add them to HTML Help Workshop.

It works like charm.


I know very little about the help system, so I didn't know that in HTML Help Workshop, the name of the file is also the name of the topic.

Before, I have tried generating RTF by hand - and RTF is cryptic.

MX
Monday, January 5, 2004

Since you have the data in HTML format, one other option
would be using this tool:

  http://www.confluent.fr/javadoc/htmltohlpe.html

This utility that takes HTML and creates RTF which can
then be converted to a WinHelp file.

I have used it several times to create WinHelp files for
use with my Zeus editor Quick Help feature and have
found it works great.

Jussi (www.zeusedit.com)
Monday, January 5, 2004

Thank you! The tool you mention is interesting.

However, the HTML files can be compiled directly by MS HTML Help Workshop to produce a working CHM.

MX
Monday, January 5, 2004

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