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HelpInfo XML Schema

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This topic contains the XML schema for Updatable Help Information files, commonly known as "HelpInfo XML files."

HelpInfo XML Schema

HelpInfo XML files are based on the following XML schema.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<schema elementFormDefault="qualified" targetNamespace="http://schemas.microsoft.com/powershell/help/2010/05" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <element name="HelpInfo">
    <complexType>
      <sequence>
        <element name="HelpContentURI" type="anyURI" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1" />
        <element name="SupportedUICultures" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1">
          <complexType>
            <sequence>
              <element name="UICulture" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="unbounded">
                <complexType>
                  <sequence>
                    <element name="UICultureName" type="language" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1" />
                    <element name="UICultureVersion" type="string" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="1" />
                  </sequence>
                </complexType>
              </element>
            </sequence>
          </complexType>
        </element>
      </sequence>
    </complexType>
  </element>
</schema>

HelpInfo XML Elements

The HelpInfo XML file includes the following elements.

  • HelpContentURI - Contains the URI of the location of the help CAB files for the module. The URI must begin with "http" or "https". The URI should specify an internet location, but must not include the CAB filename. The HelpContentURI value can be the same or different from the HelpInfoURI value.

  • SupportedUICultures - Represents the module help files in all UI cultures. Contains UICulture elements, each of which represents a set of help files for the module in a specified UI culture.

  • UICulture - Represents a set of help files for the module in a specified UI culture. Add a UICulture element for each UI culture in which the help files are written.

  • UICultureName - Contains the language code for the UI culture in which the help files are written.

  • UICultureVersion - Contains a 4-part version number in "N1.N2.N3.N4" format that represents the version of the help CAB file in the UI culture. Increment this version number whenever you upload new help CAB files in the UI culture that's specified by UICultureName. For more information about this value, see Version Class.

Note

Manual authoring of XML-based help is very difficult. The PlatyPS module allows you to write help in Markdown and then convert it to XML-based help. This makes it much easier to write and maintain help. PlatyPS can also create the Updateable Help packages for you. For more information, see Create XML-based help using PlatyPS.