AJAX Spell Checker in Opera
Published March 26th, 2007 2:37 PM EDT By Daniel GoldmanAlthough Opera already contains a built-in spell checker, there is an even nicer one that you can download into the browser.
A “Check spelling” link appears below text input areas while entering text, clicking on the link will perform a spell check on the text without reloading the page (see screenshots below). The spell checker works using Opera’s User JavaScript, which is similar to Firefox’s GreaseMonkey.
- It’s blazing fast since JavaScript is stored locally
- Inline and dynamic
- AJAX is used to send and receive data
- Support for 27 languages
- Ability to switch language dynamically
I’ve been using it for over a week already, and I must say that I’ve been very impressed with it. It’s fast and easy to use, though the installation could be a bit confusing.
Opera’s User JavaScript is extremely powerful, but besides for not having an active distribution system, unfortunately installing a script with a simple click of a button is still lacking. Since Opera doesn’t support the Firefox-like extension model, extending the browser’s functionality using User JavaScript becomes vital to developers, which is why Opera needs to make it easier for developers to distribute their scripts.
Installation instructions:
- Download the files here (Put the files in a folder e.g. My Documents/OperaScripts)
- In the Opera browser go to Tools > Preferences > Advanced > Content > JavaScript Options > Choose… Select the folder with the contents of the files you just downloaded (i.e. My Documents/OperaScripts)
- Click OK
(Spell checker suggestions in Opera)
(Spell checker in Opera)
(via Intrepid Street)
If you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe to my RSS Feed.
using
Yay! Thank you for that! I could never get the built in spell checker to work properly (doesn’t recognize aspell).
using
Daniel, you can remove step #5 (Restart Opera) from the list, it will works without restart.
using
Daniel, I think you should check out this new spell checker that’s being worked on by d.i.z. and Sombria:
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=182282
using
Nice, does it work in chat?
using
FataL, thanks for pointing that out, I’ve updated my post.
using
“Support for 27 languages”
It only has Dansk, English, Hrvatski, Norski and Polski ??
using
rpsgc: “To define what languages should be supported you should alter the SUPPORT_LANGUAGES variable in orangoo_opera_v3.js.”
using
@Daniel Goldman
I must’ve missed that, thanks
using
Not being able to use User-JS when JS is globally deactivated is the killer for this feature. They should be handled separately.
using
Daniel, that’s an old version of the script. Granted it was the most recent of the scripts entitled Orangoo Spell Check, but now OSpell has take it’s place.
Orangoo v3 didn’t work in the latest weekly builds, and it required xErath’s cross-domain XMLHTTPRequest script (which came in the ZIP file). OSpell is a single script that works very similarly to Amix’s script, but is smaller in size.
I think it’s also important to mention that Sombria (the creator of the Orangoo v1 UserJS) made OSpell with a little help from d.i.z. (who made the Orangoo v2 UserJS, based on Sombria’s original).
using
Wow, this is great. Thanks. Going to be pretty useful instead of using a spell check program I use outside the browser.
using
I think calling the current solution “built in” is more than a little bit of a stretch
If you have to go download and install a third party item, it’s not “built in”! This sort of functionality really needs to be an on/off in the preferences. Still, at least it can be done… 
using
GT500, I changed the link to point to the newer version. However, I have a few issues with it.
1) The main script didn’t pickup the changes preferences script. I had to manually change the script to turn off Gmail checking.
2) Why is the Gmail spell checker the default, if it requires a log on? The script needs to be simple.
3) I think the spell checker should be enabled by default only for text areas, not input boxes. First, the image below small text boxes look horrible, and second, text boxes are normally used just for short input (such as your name, etc.), I don’t think spell checking it important there.
My $0.02.
using
I too had trouble with Aspell, so I changed to tinySpell.
http://www.tinyspell.m6.net
Simpler, easier, and checks everything you spell or copy.
using
Is any body else having issues on phpBB powered forums? The spell checker does not work when writing a new message or when posting a private message. Other than that, it is a great find!
using
Aspell works fine for me. It sounds like OSpell is still undergoing some improvements, so I’ll wait until it is more refined before using it.
using
That spellchecker UserJS does not work in my case:( .It always gets me the message “invalid response from server”, on any language.
using
Did you remove the old script before installing the new one?
I’ve also not heard of it having trouble with the preferences script. Do you have your UserJS folder set globally?
The version at my site is set to use the server provided by fearphage, and not GMail, but it defaults to GMail if the preferences file isn’t there. I’ll go ahead and change it in the version on my site, so that it always defaults to the fearphage server.
There are a few people who agree with you, but there are also people who find it frustrating when it doesn’t check text fields (and I sympathise with them). I’ll leave it up to d.i.z. and Sombria to decide if that option needs changed in the next version.
If you have any further problems, questions, or suggestions, then you can leave a post in the OSpell forum topic at the My Opera Community. That way you’ll get more than just me trying to help you.
Yes, OSpell is having a few issues in it’s current state. Most people don’t seem to be having trouble with it, but there do seem to be more issues with OSpell than with previous scripts.
As for me, I have 3 computers, 4 different operating system, and OSpell works fine on all of them. Granted that doesn’t mean that it will work fine for everyone…
using
GT500, thanks for the clarification.
using
Mathias, I think you can disable “regular” JS with a UserScript and still be able to use other UserJS. See http://userjs.org/scripts/browser/enhancements/disable-script
using
BTW: OSpell was just updated with a bugfix. Anyone who has it might want to download the new version.
using
Yes! Exactly!
using
All very nice, but it’s worth pointing out, if you use Opera for email/newsgroups, then you still need the ASpell stuff.
This add-on is only good for web paged based spell checking.
It would be nice if Opera overhauled the spell checker to use this, and made it work with email. It would be also nice if it did the way firefox does, and puts squiggles under misspelled words.