Adding external contents files

You can combine contents files from multiple HTML Help files (.CHM) and consolidate them into one table of contents. This is useful if you are delivering multiple .CHM files as a group and are setting up one master Help file that includes information from the other Help files. Each .CHM file remains its own Help project, but the books and pages in the contents file (.HHC) are combined.

The books and pages in each contents file are displayed at the Contents tab in the order they are added. When users select a page, the topic it is linked to opens in the HTML Help viewer.

To add an external contents file:

  1. Open the master project that will include the contents files.

  2. Click the TOC tab.

  3. Select where you want to add the external contents file. You can add it as a book at the top-level or you can open an existing book and add it as a sub-book.

  4. Right-click and select New – External TOC.

  5. Select the .CHM file that contains the contents file you want to add.

  1. From the list of contents files that are displayed, select the one you want to combine with the master Help project. (If the external .CHM file has only one contents file, it is automatically selected.)

  2. Click OK to close the dialog.

    The external contents file is added to the table of contents. It should look something like this:

  3. Compile the master project.

Tips:

  • If the .CHM file has more than one contents file that you need to merge, repeat steps 4 through 8 for each .HHC file that you want to include in the table of contents.

  • If you add the external contents file at the top-level in the table of contents, it is placed as the first item in the list. You can use the arrow buttons on the toolbar and move it to another location if necessary.

  • If the .CHM file has more than one contents file and you select the wrong one, right-click the external TOC icon and select Properties. From the dialog, select the alternate .HHC file that you want to use and click OK.

  • Do not create a binary contents file when using external contents because your table of contents will not work properly. For more information, see About binary contents files.

  • Be sure to include the external .CHM files when you distribute your Help system so the topics in these files are available to end users.