Abstract: A cloud help system is described herein that is a confederation of both internet and product help content that gives the user of a software application a rich web-based user interface for searching the internet in conjunction with and in the context of the software application. An application developer associates identifiers with various features and areas within an application. Upon detecting a user request for product help, the system receives the identifier and identifies instructional material related to the received identifier. The instructional material combines traditional local and online help information with dynamic content from an online data source. The online data source includes an association between each identifier and one or more searches for online content. An administrator can update the online searches over time so that new material can be incorporated.

Abstract: A cloud help system is described herein that is a confederation of both internet and product help content that gives the user of a software application a rich web-based user interface for searching the internet in conjunction with and in the context of the software application. An application developer associates identifiers with various features and areas within an application. Upon detecting a user request for product help, the system receives the identifier and identifies instructional material related to the received identifier. The instructional material combines traditional local and online help information with dynamic content from an online data source. The online data source includes an association between each identifier and one or more searches for online content. An administrator can update the online searches over time so that new material can be incorporated.