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Spell checking

  • 15 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by jackfriend

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I cannot seem to be able to enable the Thunderbird English language pack that I have downloaded so that spell checking actually works. I have tried to follow the various suggestions from Google etc but am stuck. Can anyone tell me how to get spell checking to work in Thunderbird?

The pack to which I am referring is "english_gb_language_pack_thunderbird-52.0-tb.xpi".

I cannot seem to be able to enable the Thunderbird English language pack that I have downloaded so that spell checking actually works. I have tried to follow the various suggestions from Google etc but am stuck. Can anyone tell me how to get spell checking to work in Thunderbird? The pack to which I am referring is "english_gb_language_pack_thunderbird-52.0-tb.xpi".

Chosen solution

Done it at last but I am not sure just how! I ended up in the manage add ons and searched for the English dictionary and was then able to install it. Many thanks Chris and James for your help and patience!

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All Replies (15)

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Hi,

Yes, I have downloaded the english (UK) version (many times!) but am then stuck as to what to do to upload this into Thunderbird. That is the problem.

Best wishes

Derek

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I have tried the instructions supplied but when I am asked to find the add-on and search for the file I downloaded (english_gb_language_pack_thunderbird-52.0-tb.xpi) I cannot find it. I just can't understand why this task seems to be so difficult for me especially since I have downloaded the file that is provided by Thunderbird. What else do I need to do?

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Unless specified otherwise downloaded files go to the 'Download' folder in your Windows user directory. Alternatively you can safe the downloaded file to your desktop. It shouldn't be too hard to find then.

I just can't understand why this task seems to be so difficult for me

I don't know either.

especially since I have downloaded the file that is provided by Thunderbird.

Not sure what that means. I'd expect you download the .xpi with a browser.

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Derekguk said

I have tried the instructions supplied but when I am asked to find the add-on and search for the file I downloaded (english_gb_language_pack_thunderbird-52.0-tb.xpi) I cannot find it.

As said you need Dictionaries for the spellchecker and not language pack. See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-install-and-use-another-language-dictionary-th

The language pack you are trying to install is for the language of the UI or user interface. It is a option for users who want one install of Thunderbird but be able to switch between one or more other languages.

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When I meant I couldn't find it, I meant that when I double left clicked on the downloaded file, that I am asked "How do you want to open this file? and "look for an app in the store". I then am unable to find what I am being asked to locate so that I can run .xpi files. It all seems to be so complicated and didn't happen on my wife's computer when we downloaded the file to enable spellchecking. I am at a loss as to what to do now but would very much appreciate further advice. I simply do not know what I am doing wrong.

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When I meant I couldn't find it, I meant that when I double left clicked on the downloaded file

Nowhere in the article is stated that you should double-click the downloaded .xpi. Why are you doing it anyway? Please follow the instructions in the article.

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I have tried following the "Installing an Add-on in Thunderbird" instructions but cannot find the "star" to the left of the search box to give me the drop down menu which includes "Update Add-ons Automatically". I have also tried the drag and drop instructions but get nowhere with those instructions either. I simply do not know what I am doing wrong so please bear with me and see if you can guide me to achieve what seems to me to be an impossible task.

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These instructions may be easier to follow. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-install-and-use-another-language-dictionary-th#w_install-a-new-language-dictionary

In case it isn't obvious, this information was posted by James in this topic before.

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I have tried to follow the instructions on the site you and James recommended but when I get to "6" In the opened page of the selected dictionary I have no idea how to get to this. Because of this I cannot see the green "Add to Thunderbird" button, so yet again what I see on my screen doesn't appear to match the instructions.

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Chosen Solution

Done it at last but I am not sure just how! I ended up in the manage add ons and searched for the English dictionary and was then able to install it. Many thanks Chris and James for your help and patience!

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Good. When your problem is fixed, can you mark the topic as 'Solved' please? Thank you.

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I am pleased Ericguk was able to get his spell check working but I can't. I have followed all the Turnpike instructions but with no success. I still have not been able to find add ons manager from the left right hand menu bars. I am using version 60.3.1 and though I have uninstalled and reloaded several times I still have no dictionaries. After two days of frustration I am close to ditching Turnpike even though i have been a happy user for several years. The recent update has spoiled it for me.

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correction. I should have typed the right hand menu bars