Convert MSHC to HPJ

Understanding the mshc and hpj file formats

MSHC (Microsoft Help Container) files are used by Microsoft Help Viewer, primarily for packaging and distributing help documentation in a compressed format. These files are commonly found in software development environments, especially for Visual Studio documentation.

HPJ (Help Project) files are project files used by the Microsoft Help Workshop. They define the structure, content, and settings for creating classic Windows Help (.HLP) files. HPJ files are text-based and contain references to RTF source files, images, and other resources.

Why convert mshc to hpj?

Converting MSHC to HPJ may be necessary if you need to migrate modern help documentation to the legacy Windows Help format, or if you want to edit or repurpose help content for older applications that only support .HLP files.

How to convert mshc to hpj

There is no direct, automated tool for converting MSHC files to HPJ, as these formats are designed for different generations of help systems. However, you can follow a multi-step process:

1. Extract content from the MSHC file: Use a tool like Sandcastle Help File Builder (SHFB) or 7-Zip to extract the HTML, images, and other resources from the MSHC container.
2. Convert HTML to RTF: Since HPJ projects reference RTF files, use a converter such as Zamzar or CoolUtils to convert the extracted HTML files to RTF format.
3. Create the HPJ project file: Open Microsoft Help Workshop and use File → New Project to create a new HPJ file. Add the converted RTF files and images to your project.
4. Compile the HPJ file: Use File → Compile in Help Workshop to generate the final .HLP file.

Recommended software for the conversion

• Sandcastle Help File Builder (SHFB): For extracting and managing MSHC content.
• 7-Zip: For unpacking MSHC files.
• Microsoft Help Workshop: For creating and compiling HPJ projects.
• Zamzar or CoolUtils: For converting HTML to RTF.

Summary

While there is no one-click solution for converting MSHC to HPJ, following the outlined steps with the recommended tools will help you migrate your help documentation from modern to legacy formats.