Using .CHM file as help for Windows application software

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I want to use my .chm file as help for my Windows application software and want to display it within a Form.
Can we embed our CHM File in a container control in visual studio 2005 window project.
If yes, which control and how?

Posted 21-Jan-11 23:17pm

sk saini

Updated 22-Jan-11 19:18pm

v2

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4 solutions

Solution 3

You can use the Help class[^]. This class provides a Showpopup window that you could use to display compiled files.

Posted 21-Jan-11 23:42pm

Abhinav S

Solution 1

A CHM file is a compiled HTML file - you probably know that - and is opened by the Help application. Normal browser controls will not open them for security reasons (they can contain code and run on the client machine).

It would be unusual to embed a CHM file in a tab, and I'm not sure it is possible without processing the file content yourself. Is there a good reason for wanting to do this specifically, or are you trying to solve a more general problem?

Posted 21-Jan-11 23:31pm

OriginalGriff

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sk saini 22-Jan-11 5:40am

I have made CHM file from a Word file through a converter. I want to use it in my windows application. If its not possible to open it in tab page then can we open it in a windows form. If yes, How?

raj100mac 8-Apr-13 6:19am

can you plz detail me same code in java lang.if possible make it as fast as possible.....

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*dan!sh* · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-21T23:41:00

Solution 2

You can open a CHM file in a new window through two ways:

1. Process.Start("chm file path")
2. Using HelpProvider control.

Posted 21-Jan-11 23:41pm

dan!sh

Valery Possoz · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-22T03:14:00

Hi,

To use a CHM as a help source for your application you can use the webbrowser control. You need to pass the correct url to the webbrowser control.

webBrowser.Navigate(@"mk:@MSITStore:C:\HelpFiles\Help.chm::/Index.htm");

You could wrap that up in a class to make it easer to use. For example, filename is the full path to your CHM file, page is the name of the page inside the CHM, for example Index.Htm

C#

public static string GetChmUrl(string fileName, string page)
{
    StringBuilder url = new StringBuilder();
    url.AppendFormat("mk:@MSITStore:{0}::", fileName);
    if(page.IndexOf('/') != 0) url.Append('/');
    url.Append(page);
    return url.ToString();
}

and to pass it to your webbrowser:

webBrowser.Navigate(new Uri(GetChmUrl(mFileName, page)));

You can read these articles about help system in C#
Context Help Made Easy[^]

good luck

Valery.