ClickHelp User Manual

Import from PDF

The PDF import is currently in beta, and the functionality may change as we continue to improve it.

This topic describes the functionality of importing PDF documents into ClickHelp. This feature allows you to upload PDF files for further editing and publishing.

Migration and import are not the same. Import is a tool that significantly speeds up the migration process, but it is only a part of it. You should always manually check every import to ensure no content is missing and the styling is preserved where necessary.

In ClickHelp, we provide Migration Services. Contact us at sales@clickhelp.com if you're interested!

Importing Process

To import a PDF file:

  1. Open the Projects page and click the Import button.
  2. Select the PDF option:Select the PDF option in the Wizard
  3. Select where you would like to import the content. You can create a new project or add topics to an existing one. If you choose to create a new project, provide a name for it in the Project Name field and select the Project language from the dropdown menu.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Upload the PDF file to the designated section by either dragging and dropping it into the interface or using the file browser to locate and select the file on your computer. Once uploaded, the file will appear in the same area:      Upload your PDF file to this area
  6. Below, define how the imported document will be split into topics:
    1. Paragraph outline level - topics will be determined by the outline levels specified in the document's paragraph settings. The hierarchical structure of the content will be maintained as closely as possible to the original.
    2. Import as a single topic - the entire document will be considered as one topic.
  7. Then, select the Max outline level that configures the maximum TOC depth of the imported document.
  8. Select Image format. There are two available options: JPEG and PNG.
  9. Select the desired method for processing content styles. For further details on the available options, refer to Handling Content Styles.
  10. Click Next to begin the importing process. When it is finished, you will see a window containing links to your imported project and styles. 
  11. Click Finish.

By following these instructions, you can import your PDF content into ClickHelp.

PDF Import Requirements and Limitations

When importing PDF files into ClickHelp, there are following limitations and requirements:

  • Maximum File Size - the maximum size for PDF files is 200 MB. Files exceeding this limit will not be imported.
  • Supported PDF Versions - only PDF files that comply with PDF 1.4 standards or higher are supported for import.
  • Password-Protected Documents - currently, we do not support the import of password-protected PDF documents. Please ensure that your files are accessible without a password before attempting to import them.
  • Monthly Import Limit - there is an import limit of 15 PDF files per month. If you reach this limit, you will not be able to import any more files until the beginning of the next month. However, even if the import limit has been reached, you can still convert a PDF file to DOCX format and then import it into ClickHelp as described in the following topic: Import from Microsoft Word.

Importing PDF files is a convenient way to transfer documents into ClickHelp. However, due to the inherent characteristics of the PDF format, it may be necessary to make additional manual adjustments after importing to ensure optimal formatting and appearance of the imported documentation. 

For the best results when importing content, you may also consider using formats such as Microsoft Word (DOCX) or HTML. Furthermore, if you are currently using another documentation tool that we support importing from, you can migrate to ClickHelp directly from its native format. For detailed instructions on how to proceed with the migration or import process, please refer to the following: