If you can choose between the two formats we recommend using the uncompressed HMXP format for your ongoing work. It has a number of benefits and is also better protected against damage that can be caused to any computer files by Windows crashes or network errors during saving.

The compressed HMXZ format is compact and convenient and an excellent choice for archiving and small, quick projects.

The uncompressed format has the following benefits:

•It consists of a folder of plain-text XML files, with a separate file for every topic and for the other project components. Since the files are plain text, data can be recovered from the undamaged portions of files, even individual files become damaged. And it is almost impossible to damage the entire project.

•It handles very large projects better, because you only need to load the topics that are currently being edited into memory instead of the entire project.

•It supports multi-user editing, storage in version control systems and the use of the Project Synchronization tool for updating translations.

You can only choose and change your save mode with Help+Manual Professional. The Basic version saves in compressed mode only.

•When creating a new project the default save mode is Single-File Compressed (HMXZ). You can save in uncompressed XML (HMXP) by deselecting the option Project file format is XML in a compressed ZIP archive in the Output file screen of the New Project wizard.

•To switch to the other save format (compressed or uncompressed) click on the File menu and select Save as...

•Always save to an empty folder when saving in Uncompressed XML mode. Help+Manual will not allow you to save to a folder with any content but you can add files and folders to your HMXP project folder later.

Help+Manual Basic only supports compressed mode.

•One compressed .hmxz file containing all project files.

•Contains exactly the same files and folders as uncompressed XML mode. The content of both formats is identical.

•Compact and easily portable.

•Does not support multi-user editing, saving in version control repositories, processing with external tools or editing with external editors.

A Help+Manual Professional or Floating license is required for this mode.

•Your project and all its topics, formatting and settings are stored in a collection of plain-text XML files. The main project file has the extension .hmxp.

•Must be saved in an empty folder, but you can add sub-folders (for example for graphics) and other files later if you want.

•Required for multi-user editing, saving in version control systems and editing with external editors.

•Not quite as portable as .hmxz, but data security is better because damage to a single file cannot compromise your entire project.