---
title: "activateContextHelpMode(_:)"
framework: appkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "appkit/nsapplication/activatecontexthelpmode(_:)"
---

# activateContextHelpMode(_:)

Places the receiver in context-sensitive help mode.

## Declaration

```swift
func activateContextHelpMode(_ sender: Any?)
```

## Parameters

- `sender`: The object that sent the command.

## Discussion

Discussion In this mode, the cursor becomes a question mark, and help appears for any user interface item the user clicks. Most apps don’t use this method. Instead, apps enter context-sensitive mode when the user presses the Help key. Apps exit context-sensitive help mode upon the first event after a help window is displayed.

## See Also

### Providing help information

- [registerUserInterfaceItemSearchHandler(_:)](appkit/nsapplication/registeruserinterfaceitemsearchhandler(_:).md)
- [searchString(_:inUserInterfaceItemString:range:found:)](appkit/nsapplication/searchstring(_:inuserinterfaceitemstring:range:found:).md)
- [unregisterUserInterfaceItemSearchHandler(_:)](appkit/nsapplication/unregisteruserinterfaceitemsearchhandler(_:).md)
- [showHelp(_:)](appkit/nsapplication/showhelp(_:).md)
- [helpMenu](appkit/nsapplication/helpmenu.md)