How to backup TextAloud pronunciation edits

[kdwhite]

Note: The instructions in this post are for TextAloud 2. If you're running TextAloud 3, see the post at viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6109

Backup / Restore for Basic Pronunciation Editor and Advanced Pronunciation Editor is separate.

For Basic, simply backup and restore the file "UserTranslations.chl" in the TextAloud installation directory.

For Advanced, the backup and restore is currently hidden, and is done by using reserved strings in the word field.

To backup the advanced editor, enter the following string in the word field of the advanced pronunciation editor:

{{export}}

And press the Test button. This will export the dictionary to the file sapi5dictionary.chl in the application directory.

If you enter the string

{{import}}

in the word field and press the test button, this will import the text file sapi5dictionary.chl from the application directory.

Note that importing will attempt to merge the imported dictionary with your existing sapi5 dictionary.

If you're restoring because of errors using the existing dictionary, you may need to delete the actual sapi5 dictionary before doing the import. If the sapi5 dictionary is corrupt, the import probably won't work.

Exit TextAloud, then use windows explorer to navigate to this directory:

C:\Documents and Settings\***USER ID***\Application Data\Microsoft\Speech\Files\UserLexicons

Where ***USER ID*** is your windows user id. Move any files in this directory somewhere else (or delete). Then restart TextAloud and perform the {{import}}.

The {{export}} and {{import}} strings must be entered in the advanced pronunciation editor window.

[Jim Bretti]

For Vista users ....

The procedure to backup TextAloud pronunciation editor files is slightly different for Vista. If you're running TextAloud on Vista, be sure you have version 2.238 or later, and follow these instructions for backup and restoring your pronunciation editor files.

For the Basic Pronunciation Editor, click Help -> Open Data Folder from the TextAloud menu, and backup / restore the file UserTranslations.chl from the folder displayed.

For Advanced, the backup and restore is currently hidden, and is done by using reserved strings in the word field.

To backup the advanced editor, enter the following string in the word field of the advanced pronunciation editor:

{{export}}

And press the Test button. This will export the dictionary to the file sapi5dictionary.chl in your TextAloud data folder (Help -> Open Data Folder from the TextAloud menu).

If you enter the string

{{import}}

in the word field and press the test button, this will import the text file sapi5dictionary.chl from your TextAloud data folder (Help -> Open Data Folder from the TextAloud menu).

Note that importing will attempt to merge the imported dictionary with your existing sapi5 dictionary.

If you're restoring because of errors using the existing dictionary, you may need to delete the actual sapi5 dictionary before doing the import. If the sapi5 dictionary is corrupt, the import probably won't work.

Exit TextAloud, then use windows explorer to navigate to this directory:

C:\Users\**USER ID**\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Speech\Files\UserLexicons

where **USER ID** is your windows user id. Move any files in this directory somewhere else (or delete). Then restart TextAloud and perform the {{import}}.

The {{export}} and {{import}} strings must be entered in the advanced pronunciation editor window.

[jungaree]

Hi,

Where do I find the "TextAloud installation directory?" Can't seem to find the file "UserTranslations.chl." I'm on Windows 7 and have v. 2.195.

Thanks.

[Jim Bretti]

First thing to do is update your version of TextAloud. Your version, 2.195, is not compatible with Vista / Win 7. You can download the latest version of TextAloud 2, version 2.321, from http://nextupdownloads.com/files/TA2321.exe.

Once you have 2.321 running, you can find your UserTranslations file by clicking Help -> Open Data Folder from the TextAloud menu.

[jungaree]

thank you!