Help with Help

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I'm just getting into Delphi 2009 from D6. I have help in my apps but that doesn't work. My current code is

TVar := True;
HH := Exe_Dir(TVar) + '\VBSHelp\VBSHelp.hlp';
Application.HelpFile := HH;
Application.HelpCommand(HELP_FINDER, 0);

This doesn't work in 2009. I have looked for what needs to be done but can't find anything. I need your "help", no pun intended. Thanks.

George

[geowink]

No one has a Help file in your D2009 app? If you do, how do you display it?

George

[Kambiz]

Personally I've never included a context sensitive help in my apps.

[geowink]

I got an answer from the Embarbadero Forum. If you add WinHelpViewer to the Uses clause it will work, i.e., you can display an hlp Help file. Something to maybr remember

George

[geowink]

I have also been told that Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, removed WinHelp support in Vista and probably in Windows 7. I still aim at XP but I guess I will have to change my approach. It was suggested I look at HelpScribble.

George

[Kambiz]

Yeah, in Vista you have to download and install WinHelp to be able to open the help files.

[mathgod]

I use Shalom Help Maker for hlp files. It is free.
http://www.danish-shareware.dk/soft/shelpm/index.html

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I also use Shalom but I have talked with them and they are not going to make .chm files sooooo I may have to get the .hlp file and convert it since Vista and Windows 7 are problems. I still don't know how to display a .chm file in D2009. Any suggestions?

George

[mathgod]

I never attempted to make a chm file context sensitive for an application. I may do this for my next Delphi project. Here is a page that explains how to use a chm file for context sensitive help. http://www.roboauthor.com/online_docume ... 00000a.htm Another option is to launch the chm file from an event such as a button-click.

[stimpakr]

Hi geo

For context help I suggest using a side or bottom panel containing a rich text control (memo) with maybe a nice pale yellow color and read-only.
Then you simply load up some rich text from a subfolder of your app. Much better than wasting time making help files.

However, a chm download can be useful for a potential client who may like to assess your software before downloading/installing.

cheers
stim

[geowink]

I decided to try ShellExecute and that worked. I put a Menu item Help which did the following...

ShellExecute(Handle, 'open', PChar(DD), nil, nil, SW_SHOWNORMAL);

where DD is the string c:\YourApp\TheHelpFile.chm

You need ShellAPI in the Uses clause.

George