CNT File – What is .cnt file and how to open it?


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CNT File Extension

Help Contents File – file format by Microsoft

A CNT file is a help contents file used to display help information in Microsoft Windows applications. It contains a table of contents and links to help topics. CNT files are typically created using the Microsoft Help Workshop tool.

What is a CNT File?

A CNT file is a Help Contents file used in Microsoft’s HTML Help system. It contains a table of contents for a help file, including the titles and paths of the help topics. CNT files are text-based and are usually created by a help authoring tool. They are used to organize and navigate help content, allowing users to quickly find the information they need.

Technical Details

CNT files are structured according to a specific syntax defined by Microsoft. They consist of a series of entries, each of which defines a help topic. Each entry includes the title of the topic, the path to the topic’s HTML file, and a unique identifier. CNT files can also include additional information, such as keywords and descriptions. These files are typically located in the same directory as the help file they reference, and are often named “Contents.cnt” or “toc.cnt”.

Opening CNT Files

CNT files, also known as Help Contents Files, are text files utilized by Microsoft Help Viewer. They provide an outline and structure for the help content displayed in various applications. CNT files are often associated with help files (.HLP) and typically contain a hierarchical organization of topics and subtopics.

To open CNT files, Microsoft Help Viewer is the primary tool used. This program is commonly found in the Windows operating system. Users can access Help Viewer by searching for “hh.exe” in the Start menu or file explorer. Once Help Viewer is open, users can select the “File” menu and click “Open” to locate and open the CNT file. The help content will then be loaded into the Help Viewer window, allowing users to navigate and view the help information.

CNT File Format and Usage

A CNT file, also known as a Help Contents File, is a text file that contains the table of contents for a help system. It is used by Microsoft Help Viewer, a program that allows users to view online help files. CNT files are typically located in the same directory as the help files they reference.

CNT files are structured in a hierarchical format, with each line representing an entry in the table of contents. Each entry contains the title of the entry, the path to the corresponding help file, and the context ID of the entry. The context ID is a unique identifier that is used to identify the entry when it is referenced from within a help file.

Opening and Editing CNT Files

CNT files can be opened and edited using any text editor. However, it is important to note that the format of CNT files is very specific, and any changes that are made to the file must be made carefully. If the file is not formatted correctly, it may not be able to be opened by Microsoft Help Viewer.

To open a CNT file, simply double-click on the file in Windows Explorer. This will launch Microsoft Help Viewer and display the table of contents for the help system. To edit a CNT file, open the file in a text editor and make the necessary changes. Once the changes have been made, save the file and close the text editor. The changes will be reflected the next time the help system is opened.

Other Extensions