Help Files

[FloBob]

Would someone point me in the direction to creating a help screen, I tried searching for it on the boards though the word 'Help' is filtered out and I am having little luck. I need to make instructional help file to explain how things are done in my application... like in the event of this you do this...

 

[Parker]

Would someone point me in the direction to creating a help screen, I tried searching for it on the boards though the word 'Help' is filtered out and I am having little luck. I need to make instructional help file to explain how things are done in my application... like in the event of this you do this...

MS access help ----- type create custom help in the search screen and it will tell you all about it and even tell you how to let your end users use the F1 key to access it

 

[jfgambit]

Are you saying that you to create custom help files that your users would open for instructions on how to navigate, add data, change data, etc. in your database? If so, then you will need to create custom forms that have all this information or you can use the ControlTip Text property of your controls. When a user passes the mouse over the controls a customized Tip would be seen, for example "This button will open the Data Entry Form" or "This button will close the Application".

HTH

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

MS access help -----

Are you suggesting that the access help is helpful???

 

[ghudson]

Would someone point me in the direction to creating a help screen, I tried searching for it on the boards though the word 'Help' is filtered out and I am having little luck. I need to make instructional help file to explain how things are done in my application... like in the event of this you do this...

Check out these links for creating your own custom help file...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q171958

http://download.microsoft.com/download/office97dev/helpws97/4.03/WIN98/EN-US/Hcwsetup.exe

HTH

 

[FloBob]

Thanks so much for the help guys... I think im gunna make my own it seems that the microsoft help function requires that you update it by compiling the help file. Unfortunately I want to have the help file be dynamic, atleast at first. I need it to be able to add and edit features and also to build upon it. I appreciate the idea about screen tips though I need to include more verbose information (How to:, Information, and whatnot). Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to help me with this, I appreciate it none the less.

 

[Parker]

Are you suggesting that the access help is helpful???

On rare occasions

 

[Oldsoftboss]

I use a program called help scribble. Do a search on google. It is very easy to use.

Yes you will also need a compiler to covert the help scribble file to a windows help file.

 

[ghudson]

I think im gunna make my own it seems that the microsoft help function requires that you update it by compiling the help file. Unfortunately I want to have the help file be dynamic, atleast at first. I need it to be able to add and edit features and also to build upon it.

Your help file is a simple .RTF [rich text format] document that you create (edit) in Word. Only when you are ready to update [create] the .HLP file do you use the compiler to create the .HLP file. It is much easier than you think to use.