Help authoring tool

A Help authoring tool or HAT is a software program used by technical writers to create online Help.

Some common Help authoring tools include:

• Adobe FrameMaker: The most common tool for large technical documents.
• Macromedia RoboHelp: A specialized tool for creating online help.
• Microsoft Word: Widely used for technical writing despite its limitations.
• Epic Editor: An XML-based authoring tool.
• Microsoft Visio: Software for creating diagrams.
• Webworks Publisher: Converts documents in various formats to other formats, primarily HTML.

Technical writers also use content management systems and version control systems to manage their work.