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Translate Content Outside the Browser

Although 划词翻译 is a software installed in the browser, it can also be used to translate content outside the browser, such as:

  • Browser's built-in or third-party PDF readers
  • Software such as Word, Excel, etc.

Usage​

Method 1: Enable the "Continuous Clipboard Monitoring" feature​

Note: This feature is available in 划词翻译 v10.3.0 and later.

  1. Make sure the browser is open (it can be minimized). If you really want to close it
  2. Press the global shortcut key provided by 划词翻译 Ctrl + Shift + 1 (macOS is Command + Shift + 1) to open the standalone translation window.
  3. Click the gear icon in the upper right corner of the standalone translation window, and check "Continuous Clipboard Monitoring" in the expanded settings.

After that, the standalone translation window will automatically pop up and translate the text you copied in any application.

Note: When you close the standalone translation window, the "Clipboard Monitoring" feature will also be turned off.

Method 2: Use a shortcut key to call up the standalone translation window​

  1. Make sure the browser is open (it can be minimized). If you really want to close it
  2. Copy the text into the clipboard in software outside the browser, or take a screenshot using a third-party screenshot tool (such as WeChat's Alt + A, Windows' Win + Shift + S).
  3. Press the global shortcut key provided by 划词翻译 Ctrl + Shift + 1 (macOS is Command + Shift + 1) to open the standalone translation window.

After that, the standalone translation window of 划词翻译 will pop up and ask you if you want to translate the text or image in the clipboard (versions before v8.6.3 will not ask, they will translate directly).

You can shorten this shortcut key yourself. It is recommended to configure the Baidu General Text Recognition Service in advance for the best screenshot translation experience.

Notes
  • Automatic translation of images in the clipboard requires 划词翻译 v8.4.2 and later.
  • Since Firefox does not support global shortcut keys, you need to switch back to Firefox before using this shortcut key.

Frequently Asked Questions​

The default shortcut key is too long, and I want to shorten it​

Please go to the keyboard shortcuts page (chrome://extensions/shortcuts) to find the "Open Standalone Translation Window" shortcut key of 划词翻译, and modify it to the shortcut key you want. Make sure that the shortcut key does not conflict with the shortcut keys of other software, and ensure that the scope of the shortcut key is "Global", otherwise the standalone translation window will not pop up.

If the modification does not take effect, please refer to this solution.

Why can't it conflict with the shortcut keys of other software?

For example, general software uses Ctrl + N as the shortcut key for creating a new document. If you set the "Open Standalone Translation Window" shortcut key of 划词翻译 to Ctrl + N, when you press Ctrl + N in other software, this shortcut key will be responded to by the software you are using, and the "Open Standalone Translation Window" shortcut key of 划词翻译 will not be triggered again.

I set the shortcut key before, but one day it suddenly disappeared​

The shortcut key you set conflicts with the global shortcut keys of other software. For example, if you install 划词翻译 in both Chrome and Edge browsers, because the default global shortcut keys of 划词翻译 in these two browsers are Ctrl + Shift + 1, it will cause the global shortcut key of one browser to be cleared.

Please go to the keyboard shortcuts page (chrome://extensions/shortcuts) to find the "Open Standalone Translation Window" shortcut key of 划词翻译, and make sure that the shortcut key is not empty, and that the shortcut key is displayed as "Global" after it. Also, the shortcut key you set cannot conflict with the shortcut keys of other software.

The standalone translation window pops up, but the text or screenshot in the clipboard is not automatically translated​

Please go to the 划词翻译 settings page, find "General Settings" -> "Automatically Read Clipboard", and make sure that "Text" and "Image" are checked.

Can the standalone translation window not get focus when opened?​

Yes. Make sure 划词翻译 is version v9.4.0 or later, then go to the 划词翻译 settings page, find "Translation Panel" -> "Standalone Translation Window", and check "Do not get focus".

However, please note that this will cause the standalone translation window to not appear in front of the screen, you need to ensure that the standalone translation window is not obscured by other windows, or use third-party software to keep the standalone translation window on top.

Under what circumstances would you not want to get focus?

For example, when you are editing a document in Microsoft Word software, you will use the standalone translation window to check when you encounter content you don't understand. Every time you use the shortcut key, the focus will be transferred to the standalone translation window, so you need to click Word software again to continue editing the document. After checking "Do not get focus", the focus will still be in the Word software when you open the standalone translation window, and you can continue editing the Word document without having to click again.

How to keep the standalone translation window on top?​

Since the extension does not have the ability to keep the standalone translation window on top, this function can only be achieved through third-party software.

Windows system can use this software: DeskPins

I have not used window top software on macOS system, so I will not recommend it. If you find a better software that can keep the standalone translation window on top, you can recommend it to me, and I will write it here.

I want to close the browser, but I also want to use the standalone translation window, what should I do?​

First, make sure 划词翻译 is v10.4.2 (released on November 4, 2023) or later.

Firefox does not support running in the background.

Chrome browser can be operated as follows:

  1. If you are using Windows, you need to open an option of Chrome browser according to the following steps. Chrome in macOS system will continue to run in the background by default after closing, so there is no need to do the following steps.
    1. Open the settings of Chrome browser
    2. Expand the "Advanced" option in the lower left corner, and click "System"
    3. Check "Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed"
  2. Enter the 划词翻译 settings page (how to open it), find "General Settings" -> "Others", and check "Keep 划词翻译 running in the background".

Can the standalone translation window automatically detect changes in the clipboard content and automatically translate it while it is open?​

Upgrade 划词翻译 to v10.3.0 or later, and click here to view the steps to enable it.