What is HelpSmith?
HelpSmith provides a complete XML-based solution for creating various documentation formats from a single source. The tool supports multiple output formats including HTML Help (CHM), Web Help, printed manuals, Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word documents, ePub eBooks, and Markdown documentation. It features a full-featured word processor with dynamic styles, variables, spell checker for different languages, and Unicode support.
The software includes powerful conditional compilation capabilities based on build tags and offers topic templates to customize the appearance of help files or documents. Users can import content from HTML, MS Word, CHM, and other formats. HelpSmith enables collaborative work on help projects through version control systems like GitHub and Subversion, and provides compatibility with external translation tools.
Features
- Multiple Output Formats: Create CHM HTML Help files, Web Help systems, printed manuals, Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word documents, ePub eBooks, and Markdown documentation from a single source
- XML-based Project Format: Use unpacked .HSMP format for collaborative work with version control systems and compatibility with external translation tools
- Built-in Image Tool: Capture screenshots with various annotations including rectangles, ellipses, arrows, balloons, lines, text labels, and control annotations
- Automatic UI Documentation: Generate topic drafts for user interface documentation automatically with control annotations and customizable style schemes
- Responsive Web Help: Create responsive web help systems compatible with desktop computers and mobile devices with customizable headers, footers, and mobile headers
Use Cases
- Creating comprehensive help documentation for software applications
- Developing user manuals and technical documentation for products
- Building responsive web help systems for websites and applications
- Generating printed manuals and PDF documentation for training materials
- Creating ePub eBooks for digital publishing and distribution
