The data source that Help Producer uses to create a help project is called a help document. A help document is a regular Microsoft Word document that contains, in addition to the text and graphics, project configuration data and meta-data specific to the help project.

The project's configuration data is stored inside the Word document, and contains information on how the help file will appear. It can be edited with the Help Producer Project Editor, which is accessible from the Help Producer toolbar. The project's configuration data is automatically added to the document the first time you open the Help Producer Project Editor. If desired, you can export, import, or remove the project configuration settings from the document.

The meta-data is embedded in Microsoft Word field codes and can be edited directly in Word by right-clicking the topic heading paragraphs. These fields include Help Producer specific directives that describe topic specific settings such as keywords, topic properties, etc.

Since the project configuration is completely stored inside the Word document, you can treat your help document just like any other Word document. In order to create or open help documents, you simply create or open the document directly in Microsoft Word. You can edit the Word document like any other document, and you can use most of your existing macros and tools to enhance your productivity. Further, you can share the help document with your colleagues by simply passing on the Word document; you do not necessarily need Help Producer installed in order to view or modify your help document, although certain editing tasks are greatly simplified through the integrated functions of Help Producer.

See Also

Help Systems | Working with Help Projects