Change Font In Help

TITT4TATT · 05-04-2007, 12:46 AM

HI,I' was wondering if I' can change the font type in an applications' programs' help file?for some reason it's not using the WINDOWS default font type MS SANS SERIF,which the WINDOWS help file concurrently is using?

I'M using M.S. html help version 4.10.1998

**OldGrayGary** · 05-06-2007, 02:22 AM

Hi TITT4TATT

. . . Did you have any luck finding an answer to your question yet?

If not: does your question refer to the older .hlp help file format, or the newer .chm help file format (I'd guess you are referring to the latter type, since you mention html help, and .chm files are "compiled HTML help files").

As far as I know, the default fonts used in the main windows are taken from the properties in your Control Panel's "Display"/"Appearance" menus. The uniform appearance of these help files is due to the fact that programs using .chm help files will draw their appearance settings from the same place. You generally can't change the font appearance for one program's .chm help file without altering the appearance of all .chm files. --- But I could be wrong -- this is a topic I've never looked into before.

Let us know if you find an interesting story along the way, while finding your answers.
. . . Gary

TITT4TATT · 05-06-2007, 08:46 PM

HI,thanks for your respones OldGrayGary

I' did a "GOOGLE" and I' did find some support info,looks like the windows' help, was the first place I' should have tried!

as you implied,"windows' help fonts" changes can be made using "DISPLAY PROPERTIES" or changing the fonts used by "INTERNET EXPLORER"

quote-respones OldGrayGary
"if not: does your question refer to the older .hlp help file format, or the newer .chm help file format (I'd guess you are referring to the latter type, since you mention html help, and .chm files are "compiled HTML help files"

I'm not literate on windows' help formats *.chm + *.hlp,that windows uses?

I' found the version of help that windows uses for help,from the application help-about ver

I' do have both file types *.chm + *.hlp in my \windows\help
directory

I'M not familiar with compiled help files?

thanks

**OldGrayGary** · 05-06-2007, 09:13 PM

Hi again

Were you able to try the changes OK?

If not: is there one particular program's help file that you wanted to change the appearance of? You don't really need to know the specifics of the particular format -- just whether or not it is a Windows help format or some other, third party format (such as an Adobe .pdf help file). Adobe's display appearance is controlled in its Edit/Preferences menus, View menus, and Tools/Cusomize Toolbars menus.
. . . Gary

TITT4TATT · 05-07-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGrayGary

Hi again

Were you able to try the changes OK?

If not: is there one particular program's help file that you wanted to change the appearance of? You don't really need to know the specifics of the particular format -- just whether or not it is a Windows help format or some other, third party format (such as an Adobe .pdf help file). Adobe's display install appearance is controlled in its Edit/Preferences menus, View menus, and Tools/Cusomize Toolbars menus.
. . . Gary

the programs help font I' wanted to change was for the HTLM developer program called "Arachnophilia" developed by PAUL LUTUS ver 4.0,this is his older program,this program has a help file named ARACH.HLP in the programs installation directory

he has a new html developer written in java?javascript? out now,but since I' need the sun-javascript runtime,I' decided to use his older html dev program for now

as for changing the font,I' did go to the view menu and changed the font size to large,which seemed blah,thats when i' searched on how to change this programs font style

I' found a support article on changing a programs font style on "EXPERTS' EXCHANGE" which they said "if a programs help file cant be changed using windows default editing means _"display properties" then reinstall the program"

correction:
I made in error in the original post,the info about the help ver used doesn't say html,it just says " M.S. help version 4.10.1998"

thanks

**OldGrayGary** · 05-08-2007, 01:11 AM

Hi again

Yes, as you've found out, there isn't a whole lot of flexibility in the display choices for help files. If you have a few different Windows Themes that you like, they can alter the look of things quite a bit, and might yield a help window that you like better.

I don't know of any way to change the font for just one programs help file (other than choosing between "Small, Normal, & Large" for the font size), if it happens to be the Windows .hlp format. I expect these to draw their display characteristics from the overall Display/Appearances selections that you can access in Control Panel. When you change the appearance for one program's help file, I believe it would change the appearance of all help (.hlp) files.

Arachnophilia is up to version 5.3 already - it's Java requirements are pretty light - (only 1.5 or newer is required) [and of course, java is free -- you could grab it anytime at java.com].

Enjoy your projects -
. . . Gary

05-04-2007, 12:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
TITT4TATT Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: VALLEJO Posts: 35 OS: WIN98 SE My System	Change Font In Help HI,I' was wondering if I' can change the font type in an applications' programs' help file?for some reason it's not using the WINDOWS default font type MS SANS SERIF,which the WINDOWS help file concurrently is using? I'M using M.S. html help version 4.10.1998 __________________ PEOPLE ON LUDS SHOULDN'T DRIVE! "FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH" Jeff Spicoli 1982 Last edited by TITT4TATT; 05-04-2007 at 12:56 AM. Reason: add too

05-06-2007, 02:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Change Font In Help Hi TITT4TATT . . . Did you have any luck finding an answer to your question yet? If not: does your question refer to the older .hlp help file format, or the newer .chm help file format (I'd guess you are referring to the latter type, since you mention html help, and .chm files are "compiled HTML help files"). As far as I know, the default fonts used in the main windows are taken from the properties in your Control Panel's "Display"/"Appearance" menus. The uniform appearance of these help files is due to the fact that programs using .chm help files will draw their appearance settings from the same place. You generally can't change the font appearance for one program's .chm help file without altering the appearance of all .chm files. --- But I could be wrong -- this is a topic I've never looked into before. Let us know if you find an interesting story along the way, while finding your answers. . . . Gary __________________

05-06-2007, 08:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
TITT4TATT Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: VALLEJO Posts: 35 OS: WIN98 SE My System	Re: Change Font In Help HI,thanks for your respones OldGrayGary I' did a "GOOGLE" and I' did find some support info,looks like the windows' help, was the first place I' should have tried! as you implied,"windows' help fonts" changes can be made using "DISPLAY PROPERTIES" or changing the fonts used by "INTERNET EXPLORER" quote-respones OldGrayGary "if not: does your question refer to the older .hlp help file format, or the newer .chm help file format (I'd guess you are referring to the latter type, since you mention html help, and .chm files are "compiled HTML help files" I'm not literate on windows' help formats .chm + .hlp,that windows uses? I' found the version of help that windows uses for help,from the application help-about ver I' do have both file types .chm + .hlp in my \windows\help directory I'M not familiar with compiled help files? thanks __________________ PEOPLE ON LUDS SHOULDN'T DRIVE! "FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH" Jeff Spicoli 1982

05-06-2007, 09:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Change Font In Help Hi again Were you able to try the changes OK? If not: is there one particular program's help file that you wanted to change the appearance of? You don't really need to know the specifics of the particular format -- just whether or not it is a Windows help format or some other, third party format (such as an Adobe .pdf help file). Adobe's display appearance is controlled in its Edit/Preferences menus, View menus, and Tools/Cusomize Toolbars menus. . . . Gary __________________

05-08-2007, 01:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Change Font In Help Hi again Yes, as you've found out, there isn't a whole lot of flexibility in the display choices for help files. If you have a few different Windows Themes that you like, they can alter the look of things quite a bit, and might yield a help window that you like better. I don't know of any way to change the font for just one programs help file (other than choosing between "Small, Normal, & Large" for the font size), if it happens to be the Windows .hlp format. I expect these to draw their display characteristics from the overall Display/Appearances selections that you can access in Control Panel. When you change the appearance for one program's help file, I believe it would change the appearance of all help (.hlp) files. Arachnophilia is up to version 5.3 already - it's Java requirements are pretty light - (only 1.5 or newer is required) [and of course, java is free -- you could grab it anytime at java.com]. Enjoy your projects - . . . Gary __________________