calling a helpprovider

[mskeel]

I want to include a help file with a program I am writing. I have written and compiled a .chm file.

 

I want the user to be able to either click on a help file menu item or hit F1 to bring up the help file. I have created a helpprovider class in the VB .net designer window and correctly associated my .chm file with it.

 

In the load routine of my form put this line:

HelpProvider1.SetShowHelp(Me, True)

In the clidk event handling function for the help file menu item I put this line:

Help.ShowHelp(Me, "jidat_help.chm", HelpNavigator.TableOfContents)

Hitting F1 brings up the help file. Clicking the help file menu item will not bring up the help file until after I have hit F1.

 

How can I get the help file to show without hitting F1 first? How can I get the help file to show if they only click on the file menu item?

[obewise]

mskeel,

 

I realize this info. is coming too late to help you but, perhaps, this might help someone else who is have a similar problem.

 

I don't know the actual 'correct' way to do this but the solution I came up with when faced with the same problem was a trick I learned when using Excel VBA.

 

Simulate the 'F1' key being pressed by using:

SendKeys.Send("{F1}")

 

I put that code in my 'mnuHelp_Click' event handler and it solved my problem.

 

Good Luck

[jorge]

won't a proccess.start("myhelpfile.chm") open it?

[DiverDan]

With VB's Help class, you can also specify which specific help topic to open:

Help.ShowHelp(Me, Application.StartupPath & "\HelpFile.chm", HelpNavigator.Topic, "SpecificTopic.htm")