Embedded Files
FAR HTML is a free Windows application.
A collection of help authoring and file utilities.
Testimonials
"FAR is fantastic and simple to use. It changes html pages into to chm files." -- Ralph Thomas. www.emathlearning.com
"This is without doubt the most powerful, yet simple to use HTMLHelp creation tool we've ever used. We created our first test CHM with dynamic linking within 10 minutes of installation. All our product documentation will now be created with FARHTML going forward" -- Ryan Healey, www.instantasp.com
"I'M LOVING FAR! As a freelance tech writer, I work on a lot of online help projects, and FAR is "by far" the best HAT utility I've ever found. The Help generators are fast, don't mess up my HTML code (unlike other HAT's), and afford me a lot of control over how the finished Help files will work and look. FAR is a great addition to my professional "toolbox" and I look forward to using it for future projects." -- Tanja Rosteck, Words4Nerds
"FAR RULES! FAR saved many days (probably weeks) of hard grunt work. FAR's ability to compile and then edit TOC and INDEX files, as well as its abilities to "Find and Replace" text on mass, as I see it, are unrivalled! In addition, FAR's developers have been extremely helpful whenever I had questions regarding the program." -- Ian Patton, HyperScribe Inc.
"FAR (Find And Replace) is an excellent tool for globally finding and replacing data within web pages." -- Rhonda Bracey, CyberText
"Your FAR is a great source for me. I do all my projects with FAR. I also use it for automatically generating the file list." -- Josef Becker, HelpMaster.com
"I suddenly had to convert my CHM Help system back to a regular HTML help-type file system. Using your utility it took all of about 2 minutes to correctly remove all HTML Help code. I'd estimated about 5 hours for doing the job manually!!" -- David Altmann, Future Strategy
"Creating Hebrew help files proved the most difficult. Much to our frustration, the results we obtained from flagships of the trade we tried left a lot to be desired... Until FAR. The TOC works and appears right to left as should be, the index works, Search locates whichever strings we require and all the links function as first designed. Will take you a long way, FAR" -- Ruth Levin, Roshtov Software Ind.
Product Description
FAR HTML is a collection of help authoring and file utilities. If you need to quickly manipulate HTML, XML, ASCII text files, or author help projects (HTML Help 1.x, MS Help 2.x, MS Help Viewer 1.x, Help Viewer 2.x and Uncompressed Web Help) then FAR will save you lots of time and money. You can safely use FAR HTML and MS Workshop/SDK side by side. FAR also works in batch (unattended) mode. Download the full 30 trial version of FAR HTML today.
FAR HTML can create WebHelp using simple HTML/CSS/JavaScript. Example: FAR On-line Help
FAT HTML software contains partial translation into Japanese, German and Simplified Chinese.
FAR HTML - End User License Agreement
PDF File: FAR Tutorial by BMCSoftware
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Will the software expire?
Yes. You must enter the free license unlock codes to change the trial download version into the full version.
See Blog to get your free unlock codes.
** Version 6 no longer uses registration codes and will not expire.
My Registration Key doesn't work!
You must enter all 3 license codes (or 2 codes if that's what you were given) "exactly" as we sent them to you. Do not enter your own name.
Note: a FAR HTML 5.x Key looks like FAR5-xxxx... and a FAR HTML 4.x Key looks like FAR4-xxxx... A FAR 4 key won't work in FAR 5.
** Version 6 no longer uses registration codes and will not expire.
How can I install FAR Setup.exe Silently?
FAR Setup.exe is built using the INNO installer so any of the INNO command-line parameters are applicable.
Here's how to install silently:
far55_inst790.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES
Microsoft Help Compilers
To compile help you will need to download and install the appropriate Microsoft help SDK (aka Help Workshop).
MS HTML Help (.chm)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms669985(VS.85).aspx
Download MS HTML Help Workshop installer (htmlhelp.exe) from the Microsoft site. This is free and contains the HH compiler.
At the end of the install there is an error displayed as it tries to install hhupd.exe (help runtime). Ignore this. Windows XP and later ships with the runtime.
MS Help 2.x (.hxs)
Visual Studio 7.0/7.1/8/9 (2002/2003/2005/2008) help.
FAR HTML supports MS Help 2.x, the help system for VS 2002/2003/2005/2008.
For information on how to download the MS Help 2 Workshop (VS SDK) see the H2 Info Page.
MS Help Viewer 1.x/2.x (.mshc)
Help system for Visual Studio 10/11 (2010/2012).
Testing your help will require Visual Studio 10 or 11. Compilation does not require any special software.
Note that your FAR HTML 5 license includes a mshcMigrate.exe license. This is our HV toolbox and migration tool.
If FAR HTML 5 is installed the mshcMigrate Aboutbox will display that you are fully licensed.
Microsoft Authoring Help FAQ
MS HTML Help - .chm help
MS Help 2 -- VS 2002/2003/2005/2008 help
MS Help Viewer -- VS 2010/2012 and Windows 8 System help
MJs Diags -- Free tool to validate all MS HTML Help runtime and workshop DLLs. Fixes strange crashes due to corrupted systems.
About FAR HTML
We first started working on FAR in the late 1990's, when HTML Help was first shipped with IE4 and Win98. Since then it has expanded and become an indispensable tool to many users. Companies like IBM, Intel, Microsoft, ESRI, Sony, Component One, Borland, HP, Agilent, Boeing, Exceed (the list goes on) all use the tool. We get a lot of fan mail encouraging us to maintain the tool.
FAR is clever in that it fills many of the gaps left by other main stream tools. Yet FAR is capable of holding its own when it comes to creating and maintaining industry standard documentation and help. Many of our clients, sick of the cost and problems associated with some large help authoring tools (HATs) , have dumped them for FAR and are now very happy (and not so poor).
Some of these other tools are more than 10x the cost of FAR but do less and are less reliable.
We hope you are more productive in your day because of FAR Tools.
FAR is several tools in one. Yet is still lightweight and fast. FAR is a native win 32 application.
File Module - Advanced file utilities
HTML Help - HTML Help 1.x (.chm) help support.
MS Help 2 - VS 2002/2003/2005/2008 (.hxS) help support.
MS Help Viewer - VS 2010/2012 (.mshc) help support. Includes mshcMigrate.exe.
Uncompressed Help - Create Web based Help.
File Module
High performance file utilities works fast over millions of files. Includes Batch (unattended) mode.
Find & Replace - Perform both simple and advanced Find and Replace over all the file list.
File Reporting - Reporting of files in the file list. Create .bat batch files.
Copy & Backup - Copy/backup files in the file list. Both hierarchical and flat copy of the file list.
FTP Copy - Uploaded file list files to an an FTP server.
Set File Date/Time - Manipulate file date/time stamps for all selected file list files.
Set File Encoding - Set the file encoding of all selected file list files. ANSI (any language charset)/Unicode UTF-8/Unicode UTF-16.
Set File Attributes - Set the file attributes for all selected file list files. ReadOnly/SystemHidden/Archive.
Rename Files - Advanced renaming of all file list files. e.g. Add incrementing numbers to all file names.
Line Breaks - Set document line breaks to Windows / Unix / iOS style. Add line-breaks to structured HTML/XML files. Count lines.
Convert to XHTML - Converts standard HTML to XHTML.
Delete Files - Delete permanently from disk. Usually the DEL key only removes files from the file list.
Strip Spaces from bookmarks - A fix for HTML files in help systems.
Search File names - Searches through millions of file names as you type.
Find Files Data - Find files by Date Modify or Date Create stamp.
Find Duplicates - Find duplicate files by examining File Contents.
.Zip/.Cab File Support - Compress file list files to Zip or Cab file. View and decompile Zip and Cab files.
HTML Help Module
Create industry standard HTML Help (.chm help files). HTML Help is the recommend format for all Windows application help.
Help Express - Select a folder and create a help project and .chm help file. Help creation does not get simpler.
Help Wizard - Step-by-step help project and .chm help file creation.
HH Project Editor - Advanced program for creating and modifying HTML Help projects.
TOC & Index Editor - Advanced Table of Contents and Index file editing.
HH Utilities
Extract files - Decompile the contents of a CHM.
Run API tests - Display topics using API calls.
Recompress - Beta feature adjusts compression level. Never released by Microsoft.
HH ActiveX code - Access the HH ActiveX code generator.
CHM Compare - Compare two help files.
Link Checker - Report all broken links in a .chm help files including web links.
Help File Explorer - View the contents of a help file in an explorer style window.
Tag Editor - Edit HTML tags quickly across multiple files.
Batch Compiler - Compile several help projects. Produces a single compilation log file.
Batch Decompiler - Decompile many help files as a simple batch job.
MS Help 2 Module
Create and integrate help into Visual Studio 2002/2003/2005/2008 (VS 7.0, 7.1, 8, 9)
Help Express - Select a folder and create a help project and .HxS help file. Help creation does not get simpler.
Help Wizard - Step-by-step help project and .HxS help file creation.
H2 Project Editor - Advanced program for creating and modifying MS Help 2 projects. Including collection level .Hx? files.
TOC & Index Editor - Advanced Table of Contents and Index file editing.
H2 Utilities
Manage Collections - List all registered PC collections. Unregister / Register collections.
Import/Export - Import / export a collection's registration settings to a H2Reg script file.
Extract Files - Decompile .HxS help files.
HxConv.exe UI, HxMerge.exe UI - User Interface for MS HxConv.exe (for converting .chm to .HxS) and MS HxMerge.exe.
XML Data Island Management - Quickly change H2 XML data island code across multiple HTML files.
H2 Collection Wizard - Simple creation of the Hx? collection level files. Also creates H2Reg registration script file.
Help File Explorer - View the contents of a help file in an explorer style window.
H2 Viewer - Alternative Help viewer to DExplore. With built in utilities such as filter designer.
Tag Editor - Edit HTML & Meta tags quickly across multiple files.
Batch Compiler - Compile several help projects. Produces a single compilation log file.
Batch Decompiler - Decompile many help files as a simple batch job.
MS Help 3 / Help Viewer Module
Create and maintain help for Visual Studio 2010/2012 (VS 10/11) and greater.
Tag Editor - Edit HTML tags quickly across multiple files.
TOC & Index Editor - Import TOC / Index meta tags from HTML files and edit as a standard MS Help 2 .HxT/.HxI file. Export back to HTML files when done.
mshcMigrate.exe - License covers mshcMigrate.exe utility for migrating older help to .mshc. Creating .msha Manifest files. Building .mshc files.
Compile/Decompile .mshc files - Zip file support also supports .mshc help files.
Web Help / Uncompressed Help Module
Create help that will run on a web site. With JavaScript based TOC / Index / Search.
Uncompressed Help Window - Generates TOC/Index/Search navigation to add to your HTML web site.
TOC & Index Editor - Maintain TOC / Index as standard HH or H2 help files. The Uncompressed help window imports these files.
Tag Editor - Edit HTML & Meta tags quickly across multiple files.
Feature List
FAR HTML is a toolbox full of various authoring, file and HTML utilities. Version 5.x now fully supports Unicode
Help Authoring:
HTML Help 1.x (.chm help files).
MS Help 2.x (.HxS help files for Visual Studio 2002/2003/2005/2008 help).
MS Help Viewer 1.x/2.x (.mshc help files for Visual Studio 10/11+ help).
Web Help (Uncompressed Help) - Put your Help (with TOC/Index/Search) on the web, server, disk or USB key.
All help is non-proprietorial, royalty free & fully compatible with Microsoft Help SDKs/Workshops.
Advanced TOC & Index editor / Help Wizards / plus many other useful utilities.
Fast multi-file features:
Advanced Find & Replace (can operate in batch mode).
Set File Encoding (Unicode/UTF-8/ANSI - With/Without BOM).
Set File Date.
Set File Attributes.
File Copy (flat or hierarchical).
File FTP Copy.
File Zip/Unzip (.zip/.cab).
Batch mode (unattended mode).
Many more time-saving features.
FAR requires you have a HTML Editor to create your help web.
We recommend Microsoft Expression Web; Microsoft FrontPage or Adobe Dreamweaver (really anything that produces clean HTML -- Not MS Word).
Wikipedia: HTML Editors > List of HTML Editors
About Version 5.x
FAR HTML 5 is a significant improvement for this popular tool. See revision history for a full list of changes and fixes.
Full Unicode support, Windows 7 support, + many other new features.
FAR HTML 5 now runs on Windows 2000/XP/7 and greater (which all support Unicode).
Support for Visual Studio 10/11 help - MS Help Viewer 1.x/2.x.
The mshcMigrate.exe application is now covered by your FAR HTML 5 license.
Unicode support means that on an English PC you can natively work in any foreign languages. For example:
Enter say Japanese characters as if you were on a Japanese PC.
Find and Replace Japanese text.
Open and save files with Japanese file names and directory names.
Author Japanese help projects.. including MS Help 2.x, MS Help 3.x and Web Help (FAR Uncompressed Help).
All this on a non-Japanese PC. No need to change Windows region settings.
Note: MS HTML Help 1.x is ANSI technology and must still be authored on the correct language PC (a limitation of MS HTML Help not FAR).
Requirements
FAR HTML 5 requires Windows 2000/XP/2003/2008/Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8.
For Authoring HTML Help (.chm)
Download MS HTML Help Workshop installer (htmlhelp.exe) from the Microsoft site.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms669985(VS.85).aspx
For Authoring MS Help 2.x (.hxs) -- Visual Studio 7.0/7.1/8/9 (2002/2003/2005/2008) help.
Download the MS Help 2 Workshop (VS SDK) see the H2 Info Page.
For Authoring Help Viewer 1.x/2.x (.mshc) -- Help system for Visual Studio 10/11 (2010/2012).
Download mshcMigrate.exe (included with your FAR license.
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