[AccessD] Context sensitive help

[Anita Smith]

Paul,

Most of my database applications are self explanatory. I don't see any need for extensive help files explaining 'things' .

Some forms however, require some explanation. Especially in relation to the office procedures for the users. Hence, I let them write their own topics where they deem necessary. This consist of a help button that when pressed, fires a function that opens the help form specific to the screen they are on. This 'Help' form is open to Admin or other nominated staff to edit as they see fit.

This gets me off the hook when they ask for help files - I'm not doing help files - I've been there and done that and nobody reads them. An utter waste of my limited time on this planet.

Anita



-------- Original message --------
From: Paul Wolstenholme <Paul.W at industrialcontrol.co.nz>
Date: 26/10/21 6:35 am (GMT+10:00)
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
Subject: Re: [AccessD] Context sensitive help

Anita,

I am interested.  Especially when you write "users can write their own ...
help topic".  What is a topic and how does this relate to forms?

Thanks,
Paul Wolstenholme


On Wed, 20 Oct 2021 at 11:21, Anita Smith <anita at ddisolutions.com.au> wrote:

> As I'm simply too lazy to write extensive help files I've devised a system
> where I have a help table of form names with a memo (help) field. I
> populate this from the system objects when I've completed the application.
>
> I then dump a small help button on each screen that fires a function to
> open a form displaying the help record for the current form.
>
> I start by writing help topics for the most complicated forms to kick it
> off. I leave the help form open for edit so the users can write their own
> notes/help topic as they go along. I also use rich text in the help field
> to make it look more professional and allow them to highlight etc.
>
> Makes sense? If not I'll elaborate more if you are interested.
>
> Anita
>
>
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: John Colby <jwcolby at gmail.com>
> Date: 20/10/21 3:17 am (GMT+10:00)
> To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving <
> accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
> Subject: [AccessD] Context sensitive help
>
> ...In a galaxy far far away there was a help compiler which MS
> discontinued.
>
> Is anyone building context sensitive help with the new HTML help system?
> Does it actually respond to F1?  Discuss whatever control / form the cursor
> is in?
>
> --
> John W. Colby
> Colby Consulting
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