delphi is any Better Offline Help File Format Alternative to CHM for Delphi application ?

[himadree 1]

I have to develop an Offline version of the Help Manual for the Delphi application that can display specific help topic pages of the Offline Help.

Previously we used CHM to make an offline version which is very old technology. 

Mainly looking for the following advantages:

• Context-Sensitive Help Topic
• Table of Contents
• Search
• Index
• Add Favorites

My priority is to have a single file output, like CHM, so it can be used offline without needing any external library links, and be easy for users to read.
So far, I think PDF format is the only alternative to CHM that might offer similar features.
Are there any open-source alternatives available that are suitable for this?

Edited December 10, 2024 by himadree

[Angus Robertson 659]

Help & Manual allows you to output CHM, PDF and HTML versions of the same help content, used it for 15 years or more.   And probably more formats I don't need.  But it keeps the content in XML, so might not be a quick import from your existing DOCs or whatever.

 

Angus

 

[Die Holländer 90]

Bit offtopic but..

 

Internally, we use OneNote for creating help files and application overviews, such as screenshots of forms with explanations.

 

For us developers, who don’t have dedicated manual writers, OneNote is particularly useful because it can be shared across the network. This allows everyone to contribute additional information and screenshots to the pages.

 

Each page is accessible via a unique GUID, enabling us to link a help menu item in Delphi directly to a specific OneNote page using ShellExecute. Over time, with continuous edits from users, these pages have become very helpful.

[corneliusdavid 251]

Another one is HelpScribble, a tool I've used for over a decade.

 

Quote

HelpScribble is a full-featured, easy-to-use help authoring tool for creating help files from start to finish. You can create WinHelp (.hlp) files, HTML Help (.chm) files, a printed manual [.PDF] and online documentation [.HTML] all from the same HelpScribble project.

 

[Brandon Staggs 384]

I use Help & Manual. For deployed help file I use their e-reader format which is basically an executable wrapper around the Trident web control that exposes the help html. I also deploy PDFs and web-based help with it. I think it checks all the boxes on your list. Check it out.

 

I think Microsoft really dropped the ball on integrated help. It used to be so easy and straightforward just using CHM.