HHK2HTML: A Step-by-Step Guide to Converting HHK Files to HTML

Quick Guide — How HHK2HTML Streamlines Help Index Conversion

What HHK files are

HHK files store the index for compiled HTML Help (CHM) projects. They define index entries, nested hierarchies, and links to topics—useful when organizing searchable help documentation exported from tools like Microsoft HTML Help Workshop.

Why convert HHK to HTML

• Accessibility: HTML index pages can be opened in any browser without CHM support.
• Portability: Web-based docs work across platforms and devices.
• Maintainability: HTML is easier to version, edit, and integrate with static-site generators or documentation toolchains.

What HHK2HTML does

HHK2HTML parses HHK index syntax and generates a navigable HTML index. Key benefits:

• Preserves hierarchy: Nested index entries become expandable lists or sections.
• Generates links: Index items map to topic URLs or anchors.
• Customizable output: Templates or CSS let you match site styling.
• Batch processing: Converts multiple HHK files automatically for large doc sets.

Typical workflow

1. Point HHK2HTML at one or more .hhk files (or a docs folder).
2. Configure options: output folder, link base path, template/CSS, and expansion behavior.
3. Run conversion — tool creates HTML index(s) and an asset folder (CSS/JS).
4. Integrate generated index into your site or documentation build pipeline.

Best practices

• Normalize paths: Ensure topic links in HHK match target filenames or provide a mapping to avoid broken links.
• Use templates: Add a simple template to match your documentation layout and include responsive CSS.
• Add client-side search: Pair the HTML index with a small JS search for better discoverability.
• Automate in CI: Run HHK2HTML as part of your build to keep web docs synced with source help files.

Troubleshooting tips

• If links are broken, check for differences in filename casing or missing extensions.
• If hierarchy appears flat, verify HHK nesting markers and ensure the parser supports those constructs.
• For large indexes, enable lazy-loading or collapse deep sections to improve load times.

Conclusion

HHK2HTML turns legacy CHM index files into modern, web-friendly HTML indexes with minimal effort. By preserving structure, generating correct links, and offering customization, it simplifies migrating help systems to the web and integrating them into modern documentation workflows.