Creating Compiled Help Files

You can use the HTML or RTF files LabVIEW generates to create your own compiled help files.

Complete the following steps to create a compiled help file.

1. Generate HTML or RTF files from the VI documentation:
   • Generate HTML files if you want to create a (Windows) compiled HTML Help file or (macOS) Apple Help.
   • Generate RTF files if you want to create a (Windows) WinHelp or (Linux) HyperHelp file.
2. Compile the source HTML or RTF documents into one file. You can use one of the following third-party utilities to compile the documents, but several utilities are available:
   • (Windows) You can use Microsoft HTML Help Workshop to compile HTML Help files and use Microsoft Help Workshop to compile WinHelp files.
   • (macOS) You can use Apple Help to view HTML files as a help system.
   • (Linux) You can use the HyperHelp compiler from Bristol Technology Incorporated to compile QuickHelp files.
3. Link from the VIs you documented to the compiled help file.

If you want to create an HTML-based help file for multiple platforms, you can use a compiled HTML Help file on Windows and use uncompiled HTML files on macOS and Linux. If you want to create an RTF-based help file for multiple platforms, you must compile the help file separately on each platform.