A Help-authoring tool or HAT is a software program used by technical writers to create online help manuals.
Some common Help authoring tools include:
- Adobe FrameMaker: The most common tool for large technical documents. Requires other tools to convert content to online Help.
- AuthorIT: A collaborative authoring tool used for single-source content management.
- Chm maker: An easy-to-use help authoring tool for creating help files in CHM format.
- Doc-To-Help: An authoring tool based on Microsoft Word
- Epic Editor: An XML-based authoring tool.
- Help & Manual from EC Software: Creates online help in WinHelp, HTML Help, PDF and other formats.
- HTML Help Generator: Help generator and authoring tool for Visual Basic, Microsoft Access and Visual Studio .NET.
- Microsoft HTML Help SDK: A collection of tools for creating files in Microsoft's HTML Help format.
- Microsoft Word: Widely used for technical writing despite its limitations. Requires other tools to convert content to online Help.
- Microsoft Visio: Software for creating diagrams.
- Mif2Go: Publishes Frame documents to online Help format.
- Republicorp XDK: An XML, HTML, and Help toolkit based on Microsoft Word.
- RoboHelp: A specialized tool for creating online help.
- Webworks Publisher: Converts documents in various formats to other formats, primarily HTML. Requires Adobe FrameMaker or Microsoft Word.
- WinCHM: An easy-to-use HTML help authoring tool.
- XMetaL Author DITA Edition: An XML editor optimized for single-source output (including online help) based on the DITA standard.
See [1] for a list of all available Help authoring tools.
Technical writers often use content management systems and version control systems to manage their work.