A Spell Check IE Menu Extension

Compressed DLL - 62 Kb

Introduction

One of the many things that I have found lacking when using web based forums, such as CodeProject, is the lack of spell checking facilities within IE. So that I can post messages on forums that do not contain spelling mistakes, I created this little tool that allows you to check the spelling of certain words using the Google Spelling API.

Installation

Extract the signed TxtSpell.dll from the ZIP file and install using regsvr32. Visit and register with the Google Spelling API site to get a key to use with the DLL. This key will be stored in the registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Many Monkeys Limited\SpellChecker\Google. The object will ask you for the key when it requires it, so keep it to hand.

Usage

Once installed, the Spell Checker is easy to use. Select a word or words (up to 10) in the form that you wish to check the spelling of and select the Spell Check option from the context menu.

If Google decides that the words are incorrect then a new set of words will be returned and will be used to replace the currently selected text.

If there is an error, that maybe attributed to an incorrect or missing key (not 100%). Then the following install screen will popup. This install window can be used to install a new key and check if it works.

References

Limitations

Sometimes the install screen appears when the error is not due to an incorrect key but a problem with the Google service. However these are very rare.
The number of words that can be checked in one go is 10. This limit is imposed by the Google web service.
If all the words are correct or appear to be, then Google returns no answer and this is currently interpreted to be an error.

Future work

It is intended to use a different spell checking mechanism that will allow the user to select from a collection of words when a mis-spelt word is found. It is also intended to provide source code once I have integrated another spell checking mechanism such that there would be more than a few lines of non-wizard code.

I hope you find this tool useful. Please feel free to comment and offer suggestions.

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

About the Author

Shaun Wilde

Architect

United Kingdom

Member

All articles are supplied as-is, as a howto on a particular task that worked for me in the past. None of the articles are supposed to be out-of-the-box freeware controls and nor should they be treated as such. Caveat emptor.

Been involved in programming from the early '80s. First on my Spectrum, then an Amstrad. Did lots of Fortran while at University before becoming involved in Forth, Prolog, Pascal, Occam, C and eventually C++. Eventually started programming on the Windows platform using Borland’s OWL framework, during my postgraduate years. When I started work in '94, I learnt MFC followed by COM and ATL and never looked back. Now working exclusively in .NET, working on WinForms, ASP.NET and the Compact Framework using C# and VB.NET. Using every bit of the .NET framework I can such as WebServices and writing my own controls for my .NET Portal, and for the Compact Framework. Still lots I don't know, but the end of the universe hasn't happened yet - I wonder if I'll have time?

I was a permanent employee for a number of companies until Dec 2000 before going independent after the DotCom I ws involved with went DotBomb. Now supplying consulting services to various institutions in London and surrounding regions i.e. UK Smile | :)

.

Now living and working in Australia, trying to be involved in the local .NET and Agile communities. Also maintaining an open source code coverage tool called PartCover whilst thinking of developing a new one.

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spell check

pure_m23

1:16 14 Sep '04

The Google API, no idea as how to use it . I have registered the DLL using regsvr32. Can anyone give me a clue as how go about it. Want to use it in ASP in a textarea field. Mahboob Software Engg
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Problem with Spell Check -- Request Not Going To Google Web API

Deepak Kumar Vasudevan

3:03 16 Dec '02

Hi, Does this component has any restrictions/limitations that I should not be behind any proxy server/NAT firewalls? Since I am behind a NAT firewall, it never goes to Google but hits my NAT firewall and request goes to NAT server's Apache Web Server and gets a 404 entry into the log. Deepak Kumar Vasudevan http://deepak.portland.co.uk/
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Re: Problem with Spell Check -- Request Not Going To Google Web API

Shaun Wilde

11:05 16 Dec '02

It shouldn't have any problems I use this module at work and it works fine behind the NAT firewall there.

The module uses SOAP to communicate with the google service and that may have been blocked by the administrator.

Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02

regsvr32 error...

tptorpey

3:28 11 Dec '02

every time I try to register the dll is says that "the specified module can not be found", what am I doing wrong? The file's there and and I'm ref. it using the full path. help? cc to tom)removethis(@cosmotor.com thanks
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Re: regsvr32 error...

Shaun Wilde

5:09 11 Dec '02

I honestly couldn't tell you - missing DLL perhaps? its only supposed to rely on system DLLs so i'd be surprised if it was that.

I tried 'regsvr32 d:\downloads\txtspell.dll' and all was well

does your path have a break in it?

try regsvr32 "d:\downloads\txtspell.dll" instead ie using quotes

I did get worried thinking it might be the digital signature as it has just been renewed but no that seems okay

Re: regsvr32 error...

Robert Wang1983

18:50 20 Nov '06

Why, the same with me
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Didn't work for me..Did I miss something?

Kant

16:44 12 Sep '02

Hi, This tool didn't work for me. Damn I might have missed some steps... I registerd the DLL and got the license key from Google. Now where should I enter this Google License Key? Kant. (I can)
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Re: Didn't work for me..Did I miss something?

Shaun Wilde

21:33 12 Sep '02

try using the tool If it can't find the key it will prompt you for one. cut&paste key into the edit box , press Install. Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
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Re: Worked...I used the "COM Explorer"...

Kant

6:00 13 Sep '02

Now worked for me.. Earlier I registered the DLL with "COM Explorer", it didn't work. This time I registered with the "regsvr32", it worked. Thanks Kant
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Re: Worked...I used the "COM Explorer"...

Shaun Wilde

10:19 13 Sep '02

'COM Explorer' what is that? Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
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Re: http://www.4dev.com

Kant

5:24 15 Sep '02

Visit http:/www.4dev.com and look for the "COM Explorer"
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Re: http://www.4dev.com

Shaun Wilde

11:34 15 Sep '02

hmm... interesting Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
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Maybe I should use a grammer checker instead

Shaun Wilde

21:25 11 Sep '02

saw this link in the lounge Ode to the Spell Checker[^] thought it was apt. Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
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Source code?

Todd Jeffreys

15:05 11 Sep '02

The article looks cool, but where's the source?
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Re: Source code? Colin^Davies 15:12 11 Sep '02

He states:

It is also intended to provide source code once I have integrated another spell checking mechanism such that there would be more than a few lines of non-wizard code.

I think he should have waited till the source was ready, or that the article was better documented as a how to:

Regardz
Colin J Davies

Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining.
Said by Roger Wright about me.

Re: Source code?

Shaun Wilde

21:22 11 Sep '02

Hi - I didn't provide the source as there was nothing really new in it.

I posted the link on how to register a Menu Extension.

I posted a link to the Google APIs - which I found as a comment to one of the other spell checking articles on this site.

There is nothing clever in using the res: protocol - The google bar does that.

The ATL wizards did most of the work - eg I added the .wsdl file and a header file was created automatically for it. The only complicated things was thinking of what names to use for the dll, class and method.

I added method called SpellCheck and then I typed 3 lines of code that did the work.
The rest of the code is just Key support and registry access - it took less than 4 hours to write and I was watching a double episode of 'Stargate' and some dodgy home video program while supping a beer, and waiting for Google to respond with my copy of the Key. (maybe the beer supping is why I haven't posted the code Smile | :)

). I signed the DLL as an experiment to make sure I could remember how to still do it.

I posted the tool as that is what it is - a tool. I am going to be fairly busy the next few weeks and I didn't want to forget - as I have on lots of little bits and pieces that are on my TODO list.

Maybe I should have created a HowTo instead and I may do that but I thought people may want to use the tool now rather then wait until I get time to write a more complete article.

Stupidity dies.
The end of future offspring.
Evolution wins.
- A Darwin Awards Haiku

Re: Source code? Colin^Davies 21:41 11 Sep '02

Hi,
I was just interested in how you did it.
Your response was almost a how to anyway.
I'm actually using a product that someone offered for beta testing via the toolbar.

Shaun Wilde wrote:
I signed the DLL as an experiment to make sure I could remember how to still do it.

[embarassment]
My other box has some IE stuff I registered toolbars etc that I mad for testing and now have forgotten how to remove.
[/embarassment]

Regardz
Colin J Davies

Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining.
Said by Roger Wright about me.

Re: Source code?

Shaun Wilde

22:01 11 Sep '02

maybe this article will help Internet Explorer Toolbar (Deskband) Tutorial[^] it's got a section on the registry - I looked at this and at Browser Helper Objects before deciding that Menu Extensions was the easiest way to go. Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
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Re: Source code?

Nishant S

15:32 11 Sep '02

The Free-Tools section is one place where you can actually post an article without source code. Regards, Nish *Author of the romantic comedy* Summer Love and Some more Cricket [New Win] Review by Shog⁹ Click here for review[NW]
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Re: Source code?

Michael Dunn

20:46 11 Sep '02

(although you'll still get flamed for doing so) --Mike-- Just released - RightClick-Encrypt v1.4 - Adds fast & easy file encryption to Explorer My really out-of-date homepage Sonork-100.19012 Acid_Helm
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Re: Source code? Colin^Davies 21:36 11 Sep '02

Michael Dunn wrote: (although you'll still get flamed for doing so) of course what do you expect. !! Regardz Colin J Davies Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
Sign In·View Thread·Permalink	2.00/5 (1 vote)