End user documentation shows how to use a software application. It may take the form of online help, Windows help files, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) documents and printed manuals. The documentation will usually show how to use each function within an application. There may also be tutorials and walkthroughs which explain how to accomplish certain tasks. Good quality documentation needs to reflect the actual functionality of the current version of the application. Ideally the help should be cross-referenced and in the case of computer based documentation, to allow keyword searches.
End user documentation tools can automate some or all of the often laborious tasks associated with creating an application's documentation, saving valuable time and money.