Opening CHM Help file without using commondialog control

[JBats]

Hello guys,

I would like to ask if is there a way I can open my help file (build in CHM format) in my VB application without using commondialog control. My problem rightnow is that when I tried launching the help file using this control, it doesn't work and it says the file is invalid or corrupt.

I already set the helpfile property of my application that is why every time the user presses F1 the help automatically opens. However, i'm looking a command that can be used to perform same task because instead the user presses F1, he might be open a Help Menu and select Help from the sub menus.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,


JBats
Good is not better if not than best...

 

[SDuke]

'Use this in a public module (declarations)

Private Declare Function HtmlHelp Lib "hhctrl.ocx" Alias "HtmlHelpA" _
         (ByVal hwndCaller As Long, ByVal pszFile As String, ByVal uCommand As Long, ByVal dwData As Long) As Long

'hwndCaller = Caller's hwnd
'pszFile = the file and path
'uCommand = What to do
'dwData = HelpContextID

'Help constants
Private Const SHOWTOPIC = &H0
Private Const SHOWTOC = &H1
Private Const SHOWINDEX = &H2
Private Const SHOWHELPCONTEXT = &HF

'Add a public proceedure in the same module and in that proceedure, as an example to show the TOC, call it like this:

Dim ret As Long
ret = HtmlHelp(hwnd, myHTMLFile, SHOWTOC , 0)

 

[JBats]

Thanks for the infor you've shared but my problem when I use this API function is that when I tried to close my application while the help window still open, the application get's freeze. I don't know why and another thing is that the help window is always on top.

Thanks
Jbats

JBats
Good is not better if not than best...

 

[mattKnight]

As someone has already pointed out

CHM files != HLP files

HLP Files use the common dialog, CHM don't

However, to close the help window before your program exit,
you need to investigate the HH_CLOSE_ALL command which is passed using the HtmlHelp command

so something like

Private Declare Function CloseHtmlHelp Lib "hhctrl.ocx" Alias "HtmlHelpA" _
         (ByVal hwndCaller As Long, ByVal pszFile As [COLOR=blue]Long[/color], ByVal uCommand As Long, ByVal dwData As Long) As Long

CloseHtmlHelp 0&, 0&, HH_CLOSE_ALL, 0

Of course, you will have to find the value of the HH_CLOSE_ALL constant

Take Care

Matt
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.