Microsoft Help files, typically with extensions like .chm (Compiled HTML Help) or .hlp (WinHelp), contain documentation and support information for various applications. While these formats were widely used in the past, many users now prefer PDFs for better portability and universal accessibility. Converting these help files to PDF format allows for easier sharing, printing, and viewing across different platforms without requiring specific software.
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| .chm | Compiled HTML Help - A compressed collection of HTML pages with a table of contents and index |
| .hlp | WinHelp - Older format using RTF documents with hyperlinks |
There are several approaches to convert Microsoft Help files to PDF format. The simplest method involves printing the help content to a PDF printer driver, which creates a PDF file from the printed output. Many operating systems now include built-in PDF printing functionality, or you can use third-party PDF printers. Another approach is to extract the content from the help file first (especially for CHM files, which can be decompiled into HTML) and then convert the extracted files to PDF.
1. Open the help file (.chm or .hlp) using the appropriate viewer
2. Navigate to the content you want to convert
3. Select the "Print" option from the File menu
4. Choose a PDF printer from the printer selection dialog
5. Adjust any print settings (page range, layout, etc.)
6. Click "Print" and specify the output PDF filename and location
Converting Microsoft Help files to PDF offers numerous advantages. PDFs are platform-independent and can be viewed on any device with a PDF reader, unlike help files which may require specific software. PDFs also preserve formatting exactly as intended, support security features like password protection, and allow for easy searching and bookmarking. Additionally, PDFs can be more suitable for archiving purposes as they are less likely to become obsolete than proprietary help file formats.
| Feature | Help Files | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Limited (Windows primarily) | Universal |
| Long-term Accessibility | May become obsolete | Widely supported standard |
| Printing Quality | Varies | Consistent |