Hierarchical integrated help utility for a computer system

摘要

An improved method and apparatus for hierarchically integrating help information across multiple applications is disclosed. In a computer system having a first application program including a first set of help files and a second application program including a second set of help files, the integrated help utility of the present invention includes a process for displaying selected information in the first and second help files, the process comprises the steps of: 1) providing a first help directory associated with the first set of help files, the first help directory includes a first plurality of topic items corresponding to information provided in the first set of help files; 2) providing a second help directory associated with the second set of help files, the second help directory includes a second plurality of topic items corresponding to information provided in the second set of help files; 3) displaying the first plurality of topic items concurrently with the second plurality of topic items; 4) selecting a selected one of the topic items from either the first plurality of topic items or the second plurality of topic items; 5) accessing an individual help file of either the first set of help files or the second set of help files, the accessed individual help file corresponds to the selected one of the topic items; and 6) displaying information contained in the individual help file.