Contextual Help Types

Contextual helps enable you to directly access relevant content through websites or applications. The help content that you access gives you specific information about a particular application feature or even an interface element.

Contextual Help Linking to Related Content

Applications may provide related content in another window, tab, or pane.

Figure 1. Microsoft Word Contextual Help.

Clicking Help opens the Help pane where you can browse through related help articles.

MS word help example

Embedded Contextual Helps

Applications may provide embedded content that directs you to the relevant documentation section.

Figure 2. Amazon Contextual Help.

If you're placing an order through Amazon.com and you click the Help link from your Shopping Cart, it directs you to the relevant help content.

Amazon contextual help example