Overleaf textarea

This plugin displays your text in a textarea so you can use spellcheck plugins like Grammarly.
What is Overleaf textarea?
'Overleaf Textarea' is a Chrome extension designed to optimize spellcheck on Overleaf. It sources content from the file visible in the editor, filters out commands and keywords, and pastes the plain text in a textarea overlaying the PDF preview. This method enables integration with sophisticated spellcheck tools like Grammarly which cannot function in complex editors like Overleaf. Changes made in the textarea, either manually or via Grammarly, are evaluated and automatically merged back into the Overleaf editor, ensuring efficient proofreading.

Extension stats

Users: 20,000+
Rating: 4.80 (110)
Version: 3.0.0 (Last updated: 2023-05-12)
Creation date: 2020-10-12
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • https://overleaf.com/
  • https://www.overleaf.com/
  • *://*.overleaf.com/*
  • storage
  • contextMenus
  • activeTab
Size: 77.73K

Other platforms

Overleaf textarea (v3.0.0)
4.56 (9) 784
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

Spellcheck in Overleaf is very basic. It is nothing compared to dedicated tools such as Grammarly. I used to copy and paste into Docs back and forward until recently. I created this chrome extension that copies the content of the file visible in the editor; filters the commands/keywords and pastes the plain text in a textarea (Right area). This textarea is displayed over the pdf preview. Extensions such as Grammarly can't check complex editors such as Overleaf, but only work in textareas. Changes made to the textarea, either by extensions such as Grammarly or yourself, are evaluated and changes are merged back to the editor.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Great plugin, really a game changer in Overleaf.
  • Very useful plugin.
  • This was so useful! A godsend.
  • Great app for grammar checking in Overleaf.
  • It is helpful for users with dyslexia.
Cons
  • Extension often broken or not working.
  • Underlining becomes misaligned with text.
  • Extension crashes in Chrome.
  • Unreliable word marking can lead to sentence issues.
  • Some features are not functioning after updates.
Most mentioned
  • Doesn't work for me.
  • Seems to be broken.
  • Great idea, but with bugs.
  • Very useful tool.
  • Crashes in Chrome.
Recent reviews
Doesn't work for me. As said before me, probably broken.
by Marcell Harmaci, 2024-04-16

It seems the plugin is broken. Please fix it.
by Ye Shi, 2023-11-07

Looked like exactly what I needed but after installing it, the pdf part of the page is just a blank page with a cursor blinking. Some Overleaf update probably broke the plugin.
by Konstantinos Thomas, 2023-02-23
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Overleaf textarea may not be safe to use and it requires some risky permissions. Exercise caution when installing this extension. Review carefully before installing.

Risk likelihood

Overleaf textarea has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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