Best Help Authoring Tools for Delphi

HelpScribble is a versatile and user-friendly help authoring tool designed to assist you in creating comprehensive help files from the ground up. With it, you can seamlessly generate WinHelp (.hlp) files, HTML Help (.chm) files, printed manuals, and online documentation for your website all within a single HelpScribble project. If you have prior experience with another help authoring software, you can easily incorporate your existing work by importing HPJ+RTF files produced by that tool or through the use of a help decompiler. The help files generated with HelpScribble can be utilized to offer context-sensitive assistance for your Windows applications, regardless of the development environment employed. Moreover, HelpScribble allows you to create standalone portable documents for distribution. This software is compatible with a wide range of Windows operating systems including Windows 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10, and it even supports help file creation for older versions like Windows 3.1 and 95. You can easily download a complimentary evaluation version to explore its features and functionality firsthand. This tool is an excellent choice for anyone looking to streamline their help documentation process efficiently.

Effortlessly generate source code and API documentation, as well as general-purpose documentation in various formats and styles, using Doc-O-Matic, which ensures reliability and speed. By taking source code and comments, along with additional conceptual topics and external input, Doc-O-Matic produces comprehensive documentation from these components. Its single-source methodology allows for the creation of multiple output types from a single documentation base, enhancing efficiency. Among the outputs are HTML-based Help files such as HTML Help, Help 2, Help Viewer 2.x, and browser-based Web Help. Furthermore, Doc-O-Matic is capable of generating printable documentation in both PDF and RTF formats, along with XML output that is perfect for further processing. The documentation produced is rich in features right from the start, offering collapsible and tabbed sections, and it automatically cross-links all parts of the documentation, including the source code. Additionally, Doc-O-Matic integrates seamlessly into existing library documentation, effectively bridging any gaps and enhancing user experience. With its versatile capabilities, Doc-O-Matic stands out as a comprehensive solution for documentation needs.

HelpSmith is a comprehensive help authoring tool that enables users to generate CHM HTML Help files, Web Help systems, printed manuals, Adobe PDF documents, Microsoft Word documents, and ePub eBooks from one source. For those in search of a solution to create a CHM help file, an online Web Help system, or a PDF manual, HelpSmith offers an extensive array of features, including a robust word processor for drafting help topics and a built-in screenshot utility that can automatically capture help for dialog windows. With HelpSmith, you can effortlessly produce a CHM help file, a responsive Web Help system that works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices, a printed manual, a PDF document, an ePub eBook, and a Microsoft Word document all from a single source project. Additionally, the included word processor has a spell checker and supports dictionaries in various languages, making it easier to write clear and accurate content. This versatility makes HelpSmith an ideal choice for anyone needing to create comprehensive help documentation in multiple formats.

GenHelp and GenHelp Pro are innovative tools designed to streamline the process of documenting code and generating help files. By importing source files, these tools create comprehensive documentation that can be packaged with components, enhancing the professionalism of the final product. The generated files are versatile and can be utilized in various documentation formats. Additionally, GenHelp simplifies the creation of standard help files without the need for expertise in rich text formatting. The basic version, GenHelp, supports the importation of Delphi/Object Pascal and C++/C source files, including their comments, and can generate outputs in WinHelp and basic HTML formats. This functionality allows users to create help files compatible with Delphi versions 3 to 7 and C++ Builder versions 3 to 6, as well as other integrated development environments. On the other hand, GenHelp Pro is the advanced edition that accommodates all versions of Delphi, C++ Builder, and RAD Studio, up to XE10. This version features a template-based help generation system, enabling the creation of help files in any desired format. Currently, it supports HtmlHelp 1, HtmlHelp 2, rich text manuals, and HTML output suitable for websites, making it a versatile choice for developers. With both versions, users can enhance their documentation processes significantly.