Incorporate HTML Help into Access 2000

[Michel]

I was successfully able to compile and incorporate an HTML Help file
into my Access database. However, the only way that I was able to do
this was by repeating the name of the HTML Help file (dbHelp.chm) in
each form's properties and assigning it a different context ID. The
context IDs are contained in a "header" file that was also compiled
into the final Help file. There is a way to add a HTML Help file for
the entire project within the modules window, but it also wants the
name of a Help Project ID. Which ID is this? Additionally, you can't
map context IDs to a specific location on a web page (the A tag). It
causes errors when you try to compile them, For example,
IDH_HELP_INTRODUCTION = MyHelp.html#Introduction cannot be used as an
alias in the HtmlHelpAPI dialog.

[Pete Lees]

Michel,

Post by Michel
I was successfully able to compile and incorporate an HTML Help file
into my Access database. However, the only way that I was able to do
this was by repeating the name of the HTML Help file (dbHelp.chm) in
each form's properties and assigning it a different context ID.

Here are some resources that describe how to connect HTML Help files
to Access applications. Perhaps these will give you some pointers.

http://mvps.org/htmlhelpcenter/htmlhelp/hhaccess.html
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/office/office2000/proddocs/opg/part2/ch13.asp
http://www.helpcommunity.ehelp.com/robohelp/downloads/htmlhelp/
http://www.helpfulsolutions.com/ (HelpAPI VBA module)
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/accshelp.htm

Post by Michel
Additionally, you can't
map context IDs to a specific location on a web page (the A tag). It
causes errors when you try to compile them, For example,
IDH_HELP_INTRODUCTION = MyHelp.html#Introduction cannot be used as an
alias in the HtmlHelpAPI dialog.

I think you can ignore the error messages; the mappings should still
work. However, if you want to stop the error messages from appearing,
there are a couple of workarounds that may work for you. You could
either:

1) Remove the "IDH_" prefixes from the topic IDs.

2) Change your aliases to, for example:

2310=filename.chm::/myfile.html#myanchor

--
Pete (Microsoft Help MVP)

[Michel]

Hi Pete,
Thanks. I tried to rename my aliases to something other than IDH.
Then, I recompiled the file. I still got the error message "HHC3015:
Warning: An alias has been created to "MyFile.html#myAnchor" but the
file does not exist." I still used it, and put the context ID#, say
2310, into my header file:

#define ANCHOR_MYANCHOR 2310

I added the Help file name and context ID (2310) to the form's
properties. All I get is gray box when I display help. Where and how
would I code your example from below?:

2310=filename.chm::/myfile.html#myanchor

I can't write this line of code in the HTLMHelpAPI dialog.
-- Michel

Post by Pete Lees
Michel,

Post by Michel
I was successfully able to compile and incorporate an HTML Help file
into my Access database. However, the only way that I was able to do
this was by repeating the name of the HTML Help file (dbHelp.chm) in
each form's properties and assigning it a different context ID.

Here are some resources that describe how to connect HTML Help files
to Access applications. Perhaps these will give you some pointers.
http://mvps.org/htmlhelpcenter/htmlhelp/hhaccess.html
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/office/office2000/proddocs/opg/part2/ch13.asp
http://www.helpcommunity.ehelp.com/robohelp/downloads/htmlhelp/
http://www.helpfulsolutions.com/ (HelpAPI VBA module)
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/accshelp.htm

Post by Michel
Additionally, you can't
map context IDs to a specific location on a web page (the A tag). It
causes errors when you try to compile them, For example,
IDH_HELP_INTRODUCTION = MyHelp.html#Introduction cannot be used as an
alias in the HtmlHelpAPI dialog.

I think you can ignore the error messages; the mappings should still
work. However, if you want to stop the error messages from appearing,
there are a couple of workarounds that may work for you. You could
1) Remove the "IDH_" prefixes from the topic IDs.
2310=filename.chm::/myfile.html#myanchor

[Pete Lees]

Michel,

Post by Michel
I added the Help file name and context ID (2310) to the form's
properties. All I get is gray box when I display help. Where and how
2310=filename.chm::/myfile.html#myanchor
I can't write this line of code in the HTLMHelpAPI dialog.

Do you have an [ALIAS] section set up in your project file? For
information on how to do this, see:

http://mvps.org/htmlhelpcenter/htmlhelp/hhtutorials.html#mapping
http://helpware.net/htmlhelp/how_to_context.htm

The example I gave above is, at best, misleading (sorry for any
confusion). A better example of how to set up the [ALIAS] and [MAP]
sections of the project file is probably:

[ALIAS]
ANCHOR_MYANCHOR=filename.chm::/myfile.html#myanchor

[MAP]
#define ANCHOR_MYANCHOR 2310

Passing the context integer 2310 from the application to the help file
should result in the associated topic opening at the anchor location.

--
Pete (Microsoft Help MVP)

[Michel]

Thanks for responding, Pete. If I have any issues while in HTML
Workshop, I will read through the 2 links you included. It's a good
thing to have MVPs on this forum!!
-- Michel

Post by Pete Lees
Michel,

Post by Michel
I added the Help file name and context ID (2310) to the form's
properties. All I get is gray box when I display help. Where and how
2310=filename.chm::/myfile.html#myanchor
I can't write this line of code in the HTLMHelpAPI dialog.

Do you have an [ALIAS] section set up in your project file? For
http://mvps.org/htmlhelpcenter/htmlhelp/hhtutorials.html#mapping
http://helpware.net/htmlhelp/how_to_context.htm
The example I gave above is, at best, misleading (sorry for any
confusion). A better example of how to set up the [ALIAS] and [MAP]
[ALIAS]
ANCHOR_MYANCHOR=filename.chm::/myfile.html#myanchor
[MAP]
#define ANCHOR_MYANCHOR 2310
Passing the context integer 2310 from the application to the help file
should result in the associated topic opening at the anchor location.