��� Textcomplete

 

21 October 2006
Textcomplete
The text complete extensions allows the quick insertion of frequently used text snippets into text fields. Since the release of version 0.9.9.2 text complete can be used with Thunderbird to insert text snippets into the message composer, as well as the subject and to fields. Within Firefox textcompletion works not only within all web forms but also the URL, Search and Find dialogs.

The current approved version of Textcomplete can be downloaded from the mozilla addons site: addons.mozilla.org

I created this extension for our support staff who frequently require to enter standart responses into our web based support system. As some staff also needed snippets in email s I added Thunderbird for textcomplete.

Since writing this extension I found personal use for Textcomplete, I use it to quickly enter my signature to forum posts and emails. I also have several email addresses which I need to frequently enter as well as some hard to rember tax codes. Using the extension I just type VAT hit CTRL + ALT + M and the text code is filles in for me. For my emails I just defined snippets for the shortcuts e1 e2 e3.  I like.

I always look forward to feedback to this extension, please email me:  extension.developer@scherzerclan.com

Textcomplete FAQ

How do I completely reset the extension?

To prevent the initial extension setup from being a nightmare, a default content xml file is built the first time the extension is run. At this time the paths for retrieving and setting the XML file are also set. When the extension is upgraded this init routine is NOT run.

To force text complete to execute the setup routine you must set a firefox configuration option.

  1. Type about:config into the address bar then press enter
  2. Type textcomplete into the filter field.
  3. A list of text complete extension preferences is shown. The preference which control the init functionality is called doFirstRun
  4. Right click on the doFirstRun preference and select modify from the context menu.
  5. Enter the 1 as a string value
  6. The next time a page is opened text complete will be reset.


How do I define Shortcuts?

Since version 0.9.9.2 a menu option has been added to the Tools menu which allows access to the options Dialog, To Add a new shortcut click on the Add button.

If you wish to edit a shorcut click on the shorcut you wish to edit, then click the edit button.

Why does completion not work?

On some non US keyboard layouts the combination of CTRL + ALT + M has already been mapped to a different character. As a workaround open the options dialog, when adding your trigger symbol hold CTRL + ALT this should the add the special character as the trigger string. This issues was first found with a German Keyboard layout. I am working on a fix for this,
Posted by marcel at 4:59 PM | Link | 8 comments
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Re: Textcomplete
Hi,

I tested your extension and it seemed great, exactly what I needed BUT I am not able to make the extension work in gmail text area which I actually need it for.

It works in TO/CC input field, so I guess the seting is ok, but not in body text area.

I changed the triger shortcut, it did not work either.

Any help on that?

Thank you very much for hint

Ludo

PS
My feature suggestion:
If I press the triger shortcut and the word/shortcut is not in the shortcut list a pick up menu with list of shortcut should appear.
(the preselected shortcut should be shortcut starting with the same letter as the first letter of the word/shortcut)

Basically it serves as a shortcut reminder when you make mistake/are not sure about exact form of the shortcut.

Such feature is part of TheBat mailing client. The Bat enables even having variables in autocmplete templates as CC, BCC, SUBJECT... Which enables really efficient automation of mail communication.
Posted by ludo on April 24, 2008 at 7:34 AM

Re: Textcomplete
+1 on the comment about this not working in the Gmail message area. Gmail has some built-in ctrl key combinations and must be trapping the ctrl-alt-m. If anyone finds a workaround, please post.

Thanks,
Tony
Posted by Tony Guinta on June 20, 2008 at 1:31 PM

Re: Textcomplete
+1
Same to me. I can't use this extension in my Gmail context area. Any workaround?

Another request, it will be great if the shortcut can be placed in the menu item. I don't even need type the keyword first to complete my template.

Thanks for the great work.
Posted by Frederick on June 22, 2008 at 11:49 PM

Re: Textcomplete
GMail does not appear to use a form element (input/textarea) for the body part of an email. To get textcomplete working with gmail I need to figure out the following:

1) How to attach an onKey event to whatever gmail is using.
2) Read out content to whatever gmail is using
3) Inject a character stream to whatever gmail is using.

I fanyone can give me some pointer on the above I will be glad to implement.
Posted by marcel on June 23, 2008 at 2:22 AM

Re: Textcomplete
Works in Gmail body for me...

Feature Request:: Would be excellent if the shortcuts could also be listed & selected in the right-click menu. I have a really hard time remembering my shortcuts!
Posted by Ryan on July 3, 2008 at 5:37 PM

Re: Textcomplete
Hi,
Same remark as above.
Your add-on looks good but it does not work in the text entry field of yahoo mail either. Such a pity!
It would be good it the strings were available in the right clic menu in FF.
There is an add-on which worked like this but it hasn't beed upgraded for FF3:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/578
maybe you can get some inspiration from it.
Keep up the good work!
Bregds D.
Posted by Dominique on October 10, 2008 at 11:15 AM

Re: Textcomplete
First I'd like to say what an awesome extension this is for Firefox it was pretty much what I was looking for. I was hoping that you would be able to steer me in the right direction to add a feature. Is it possible to add an option to the 'right-click' menu in Firefox that has a dropdown/fly-out list that shows all of the keywords and allows you to click on one to insert it instead of remembering the keyword? Basically I want to use this to add hundreds upon hundreds of "canned responses" to be used in email replies and such and there will be too many keywords to remember. I'd like to be able to right-click and choose from a list of keywords.

If this is possible please let me know as it is the only thing that would prevent me from continuing to use this plugin and unfortunately it is the only one of its kind that i could find.

Thanks!

Dan
Posted by dan on October 22, 2008 at 4:04 PM

Re: Textcomplete
Hi Dan,
It's been a while since I last worked on the firefox extension system, but yes it should be possible to create a context sensitive menu which list the shortcuts.
Posted by marcel on October 29, 2008 at 8:20 PM

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