MICROSOFT HELP AUTHOR
---------------------

Microsoft Help Author is an enhancement utility that makes it easier to 
create Help files for Windows version 3.0 and 3.1. Help Author provides 
a way to do the most common Help tasks quickly and easily.  Help Author 
divides the authoring process into two feature sets: the Help Project 
Editor and the Help Authoring Templates. 

The Help Project Editor makes it easy for you to:
*  Create and edit Help project files.
*  Add topic files to the project.
*  Define and edit project file information.
*  Compile Help files from Windows.
*  Display error messages resulting during the build.
*  View the built Help file.

The Help Authoring Templates modify Word for Windows so that you 
can easily:
*  Create and edit topic files.
*  Insert and edit topics, graphics, and hot spots.
*  Format topic text and graphics.
*  Save topic files in RTF format.
*  View partial topic builds in Windows Help.


GETTING STARTED
---------------

After you have installed the files on your hard drive, you can begin 
using Help Author. To use Help Author you simply choose menu commands 
and complete the dialog box options. Each option corresponds to a 
specific part of the authoring process. Although there is no fixed 
method for using Help Author, you can follow these general steps to get 
started.

1. Open the Help Author group in Program Manager and double-click the 
Help Project Editor icon.

2. Enter project information. (Edit Project command)

3. Add topic files to the project. (Add New or Existing File command)

4. Edit the topic files (add text, graphics, etc.) to create the content 
for the Help file. (Edit File command)

Note: Because Windows Help version 3.0 and 3.1 differ considerably, 
Microsoft provides a separate template for each version. If you plan to 
create a Help system that runs under Windows Help version 3.1, use the 
3.1 template (WHAT31.DOT). Otherwise, use the 3.0 template (WHAT30.DOT) 
as the authoring template.

5. Save the topic files and close your editor.  The Help Authoring 
Templates will always save your documents in Rich Text Format (RTF).

6. Define the Help build options. (Edit menu commands)

7. Save the Help project file. (Save or Save As command)

8. Build the Help file. (Start command)

9. View the built Help file. (Run Help On command)

10. Fix errors and make revisions, then rebuild the Help file.


LEARNING HOW TO USE HELP AUTHOR
-------------------------------

Both the Help Project Editor and the Help Authoring Templates have Help 
files that explain how to use their features.  To learn how to use the 
Help Project Editor:

1. Choose the menu command you want to learn about.
2. When the dialog box appears, choose the Help button.

You can also choose Contents from the Help menu in the Project Editor 
window (or press F1) and choose a topic from the Contents.

To learn how to use the authoring templates in Word for Windows 2.0:

1. Open or create a topic file based on a help authoring template.
2. From the Help menu in Word for Windows, choose the Help on WHAT 
command.
3. Then choose a topic from the Contents.

If you are using the Help Authoring Templates with Word for Windows 1.1, 
then open the Help Author group in Program Manager, and double-click the 
Help on WHAT icon.


SENDING FEEDBACK
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To send bug reports, suggestions, or other feedback to the creators of 
Microsoft Help Author, send a fax to (206) 936-7329, and address it to 
Microsoft Help Author.