Steps To Convert A Word Document To A Help File

Microsoft Updates

Nowadays, the usage of help files is becoming more popular due to the advanced options in it. As compared to a Microsoft Word file or a PDF, users are able to search for specific information more easily in these online help systems. Help files are basically HTML web pages that are assembled to an interface, which are used for searching.

Several users had posted in the Microsoft help forum about the difficulties they’ve had to face while converting a Word document to a Help file. Use the following instructions to convert a Word document to a Help file.

·       In the first step, you need to check the locations on your computer of the source Word document, as well as for the new help file and supporting conversion files. Make sure you select the correct file and know where the output files are going to be created.

·       Now, you need to mention about the font, font size, color, etc for your help file in the conversion software. Here, you need to ensure about mentioning all the elements such as headings, steps, bulleted lists, footnotes, etc.

·       Now, you need to design the look of your help file in the conversion software. There are many tools that allow customization of colors in heading bars as well as location of the text elements, images and watermarks on each page.

·       Once you have created the design, you need to map the text styles in the Word document to the corresponding text styles for the help file. Now, link these styles in the conversion software so that each text element imported from the Word document is converted and displayed as you wanted. Meanwhile, you can also post your queries in the Microsoft help forum to get more assistance.

Microsoft Windows

·       Now, you can arrange the features in the help file. Some of the common features include an outline view of the topics, an index and a search field. There are other options available as well which you can use to configure the help file.

·       Once you are done, you can use the conversion software and convert the Word document into the help file. Depending on the conversion software, it would take some time for the process to get completed.