HTML Help controls are components that you can add to your topics to enhance they way they look and behave. Behind the scenes, they are ActiveX controls that provide extra functionality for Help.
The Help controls that you can add to your topics include:
WinHelp topic: A WinHelp topic control enables you to mix and match WinHelp topics with HTML Help topics. When users click the control, a WinHelp system opens and a topic is displayed. This control could be called a WinHelp topic link since that's exactly how it works.
Shortcut: A shortcut provides a way for users to start Windows applications or open dialog boxes for completing tasks. You don't have to write as many steps in your Help project because shortcut controls can take care of some of the work automatically. Users like shortcuts because they make it easier and quicker to accomplish tasks.
Table of contents: The tri-pane design used with most Help systems includes a Contents tab where users select books and pages to open topics. If your project is not intended to use this design, you can make the contents file available by adding a table of contents control in a topic. When users open the topic that has the control, the table of contents is displayed.
Index: The tri-pane design used with most Help systems includes an Index tab where users can access keywords to find information. If your project is not intended for the tri-pane design, you can make the index file available by adding an index control to a topic. When users open the topic that has the control, the index is displayed.
Splash screen: A splash screen displays an image for a specified amount of time. Splash screens are commonly used when applications are first opened to introduce the program to users. You can use splash screens with topics in your project. When the topic opens, the splash screen is displayed. You can even add a splash screen to your project's default topic to introduce the Help system when it's first launched.
Close window: A close window is a control that closes the viewer. It provides a shortcut for users who want to exit your Help system right from a topic.
HHCTRL version: An HHCTRL version control shows the version number for an ActiveX control used in a topic.
Note: Three different kinds of navigation controls are available to use with your topics. Users can select these controls to link to related topics, keywords and ALinks. For more information, see About link controls.