The HTML topic page templates are used to define the layout and behavior of topic pages in all HTML-based output formats (HTML Help, WebHelp, eWriter Help and Visual Studio Help). Only ePUB eBooks use a special internal template that cannot be edited.
By default there is just one template called Default which is assigned to new topics automatically. However, you can define as many different templates as you like.
You can assign a different template to any topic in the Topic Options tab on the left of the main editor window. Just select the template you want to use in the drop-down list in the HTML Page Template: field.
See Editing HTML templates for details on how to edit templates.
If you are using an HTML skin you must edit your templates and settings in the skin!
Nowadays you will almost always choose an HTML skin to publish your project to WebHelp or HTML Help/CHM. A skin is a special kind of Help+Manual project without topics that only stores your HTML templates and all the settings relevant for HTML output to these two formats. When you choose a skin, the templates and settings in the skin completely replace those in your project.
Normally, a skin is pre-designed and you don't need to change anything. However, if you do want to change something, you must do all your editing in the .hmskin skin file. Editing in your Help+Manual project won't have any effect because those templates and settings are not used.
To edit a skin, make a copy of the .hmskin skin file in your project folder and then open it in Help+Manual by selecting .hmskin as the file type to open in the Open dialog. All the templates and settings are in the same places as in a normal Help+Manual project.
Exception: HTML Export Options
The HTML Export Options section is not stored in skins and needs to be edited in your project.
Template location
Configuration > HTML Page Templates
See also:
Script and CSS components for experts