connect a help file to application

Question

I want to connect a help file(.chm) to my windows application. How do I can do this? Thanks.

Answer 1

Try this

string fbPath = Application.StartupPath;
string fname = "help.chm";
string filename = fbPath + @"\" + fname;
FileInfo fi = new FileInfo(filename);
if (fi.Exists)
{
Help.ShowHelp(this, filename, HelpNavigator.Find, "");
}
else
{
MessageBox.Show("Help file Is in Progress.. ",MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information);

}

Answer 2

Use the Help.ShowHelp method for doing it on button presses etc:

private void button1_click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
      string helpfile = "C:\MyHelp.chm";
      Help.ShowHelp(this, helpfile, mypage.htm);
}

and to link your help via the F1 key see this guide for a detailed explanation on how to do this:

http://www.dotnetspark.com/kb/162-open-help-file-on-f1-function-key-press.aspx

Answer 3

You can use Help.ShowHelp.

One example from the MSDN page:

private void Button1_Click(System.Object sender, System.EventArgs e)
    {

        Help.ShowHelp(TextBox1, "file://c:\\charmap.chm");
    }

You can also check out these SO pages:

• How to create F1 help in windowsforms using c#
• How to open CHM file on specified node TOC (.NET)

Answer 4

For Winforms, the excellent Windows Forms Programming provides a very nice overview (chapter 3, implementing help). Some pointers:

• HTML Workshop
• The Help class
• The HelpProvider class
• The HelpButtonClicked event
• The HelpRequested event