Convert HPJ to MSHI

Understanding the hpj and mshi file formats

HPJ files are Help Project files used by Microsoft Help Workshop. They contain project settings, file references, and configuration data for compiling Windows Help (.HLP) files. HPJ files are plain text and serve as the backbone for creating help documentation in older Windows applications.

MSHI files are Microsoft Help Index files, part of the Microsoft Help Viewer system used in Visual Studio and other modern Microsoft documentation platforms. MSHI files are XML-based and help organize and index help content for efficient searching and navigation.

How to convert hpj to mshi

Direct conversion from HPJ to MSHI is not natively supported, as these formats belong to different generations of Microsoft help systems. However, you can achieve this conversion through a two-step process:

1. Compile the HPJ file using Microsoft Help Workshop to generate an HLP file.
2. Convert the HLP file to a modern help format (such as HTML Help or MSHC), then use the Microsoft Help Content Manager to create an MSHI index file.

Recommended software for conversion

• Microsoft Help Workshop – Compile HPJ files to HLP: File → Compile
• Help & Manual or Doc-To-Help – Import HLP or HPJ and export to HTML Help or MSHC
• Microsoft Help Content Manager – Create MSHI files from MSHC projects: File → New → Index

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Open your HPJ file in Microsoft Help Workshop and compile it to generate an HLP file.
2. Import the HLP or HPJ file into Help & Manual or Doc-To-Help.
3. Export your project as an MSHC (Microsoft Help Container) file.
4. Open Microsoft Help Content Manager and create a new MSHI index: File → New → Index.
5. Add your MSHC file to the index and save the project to generate the MSHI file.

Tips and considerations

• Review your help content after each conversion step to ensure formatting and links are preserved.
• Some manual editing of the XML in the MSHI file may be required for optimal indexing.
• Always back up your original HPJ and HLP files before starting the conversion process.