Understanding Paths in WinHelp

According to the Help Author's Guide (HCW.HLP) Topic #45,

WinHelp Macro Syntax

"Backslashes are used as an escape character, allowing you to include quotes as part of a macro parameter. If you need a literal backslash (for example, in a path specification) you must double the backslash for every level of macro nesting. For path specifications, use a forward slash instead of backslashes."

Other path variations:

• c:\\\\folder\\\\subfolder\\\\readme.txt (used in nested macros)

• c:/folder/subfolder/readme.txt

• //share/folder/readme.txt

To open a file outside a help project:

1. Open Readme!EF(`c:/folder/readme.txt',`',SW_RESTORE,`sorry')

2. Open Readme!EF(`readme.txt',`',SW_RESTORE,`sorry')

3. Open Readme!EF(`../readme.txt',`',SW_RESTORE,`sorry')

4. Open Readme!EF(`../parallel/readme.txt',`',SW_RESTORE,`sorry')

Example 1 calls the document from an absolute address.

Example 2 calls the document from the same directory in which the help file resides.

Example 3 calls the document in a parent directory using a relative path.

Example 4 calls the document in a parallel directory using a relative path.

Referencing Files on NT Servers

When locating a file on an Windows NT network, do not use a drive letter like n:\ since users can map their own unique drive letters. When referencing locations on servers, use the \\servername\share\filename.txt format.

If you have comments, suggestions, or your own experiences regarding path statements in WinHelp, please write to me at rob@magrino.com

See you next month,

Rob Magrino