Register HotDocs to Work with Web Browsers

If HotDocs is registered as a helper program with your Web browser, you can click on a HotDocs auto-install (.HDI) or auto-assemble (.HDA) file listed on a Web page and have your browser start HotDocs and pass the file to it.

The HotDocs installation program automatically registers HotDocs with Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you use a different Web browser, you will need to register HotDocs as a helper program yourself. Specific instructions for your browser should be available in your browser’s online help system. (Search for the keywords MIME types, file types, helper programs, or associations.)

To register HotDocs with a Web browser (other than Internet Explorer)

  1. Find your browser’s list of MIME types. A MIME type is an association that tells the browser what to do when you download a particular type of file. Each entry in the list of MIME types consists of a MIME type, one or more associated file name extensions, and an action to take on files of this type—usually either by displaying the file in the browser, by using a plug-in to view it, or by starting a helper program. Depending on the browser, each entry may also have a descriptive name.
  2. For HotDocs auto-assemble files, make an entry in the MIME types list using the following settings:
Option Value
Name (optional) HotDocs Auto-Assemble File
MIME type application/x-hotdocs-auto
Extension hda
Launch Application hd_dispatch.exe /ha=

By default, the launch application executable is found in C:\Program Files\HotDocs
  1. For HotDocs auto-install files, make an entry in the MIME types list using the following settings:
Option Value
Name (optional) HotDocs Auto-Install File
MIME type application/x-hotdocs
Extension hdi
Launch Application hd_dispatch.exe /hi=

By default, the launch application executable is found in C:\Program Files\HotDocs
  1. Save these settings and restart your browser.

If you upgrade or change browsers after installing HotDocs, you may need to reinstall HotDocs so it will be registered correctly with the new browser.