Replaces the built-in Chrome tooltip to enable easier reading of the mouseover title-text for popular webcomics, such as xkcd.

Latest Version

Version
3.0.0
Update
February 21, 2024
Size
30.07KiB
Developer
Category
Users
488
Rating
4.64286 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English
See more
Permissions
Storage
See more

Comic Text Extension

The source code for this extension is available on Github.

https://github.com/dmillz/Comic-Text

NOTE: There is no way for me to respond to questions posted in the comments here in the Chrome Web Store. If you have a question, please contact me on Github instead:

https://github.com/dmillz/Comic-Text/issues


What is Comic Text?
------------------------------
Comic Text is a Chrome extension that seamlessly replaces the built-in Chrome tooltip to enable easier reading of the mouseover title-text for popular web comics, such as xkcd.

New! Comic Text is now capable of scanning the entire page and replacing tooltips for *any* page element, not just images. Turn on the option by accessing the Comic Text extension options ([Puzzle Piece Icon] > Comic Text [3-dot menu] > Options)

What's wrong with Chrome's mouseover text tooltips?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In years past, Chrome's title text tooltips didn't last long enough to read the entirety of the mouseover title text on many popular web comics, such as [xkcd](xkcd.com). By default, Chrome's tooltips disappeared after about 5 seconds; but with Comic Text installed, they will last as long as your mouse remains over the image.

Chrome's default tooltip behavior was fixed in 2014 (https://issues.chromium.org/issues/40266368), but this extension still improves tooltip behavior and enables customization of the appearance of the tooltip text for improved accessibility.

Does this extension work on websites other than xckd.com?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes! By default, the Comic Text will \"just work\" when browsing xkcd.com, and you may use the extension options to customize the styling of the popup, or to enable Comic Text on your other favorite sites. (Access the extension options by clicking [Wrench Icon] > Tools > Extensions, and then find the \"Options\" link under the Comic Text extension.)


Why does the extension require permission to access \"Your data on all websites\"?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The extension works by modifying the HTML/CSS of any pages that are on the whitelist. On image mouseover, the script removes any existing title text of the image in order to suppress the built-in tooltips, and then pops-up a new DOM element, cleverly styled to mimic the default Chrome tooltip.

The extension requires the \"Your data on all websites\" permission so that it can modify the page you're browsing in this manner, but that's the only thing it does. It does not save any information (besides it's own options), nor does it communicate with the outside world. Everyone is welcome to examine (and reuse, remix, & share) the source code:

https://github.com/dmillz/Comic-Text


Comic Text doesn't seem to work on .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you find a bug, or just have any other question, please submit it as an issue on Github:

https://github.com/dmillz/Comic-Text/issues

Thanks!


The Comic Text popup sometimes gets in my way.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may dismiss the Comic Text tooltip by right-clicking on it.


# Thank you, Randall Munroe

Thank you, Randall Munroe, for the hilarious web comic, and also for releasing your work under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/). All of Comic Text's icons, images, screenshots, and inspiration have been derived from xkcd (http://xkcd.com).


# Changelog

## [3.0.0] - 2024-02-20

### Changed

- Updated to support \"manifest v3\" extension requirements.
- No more jQuery, just browser native APIs.

### Added

- Experimental support for dark mode. This will only take effect for users who have dark mode enabled, but have not customized their CSS.

## [2.0.0] - 2018-08-31

### Changed

- Updated to support v2 Chrome extension requirements.

## [1.2.4] - 2011-09-02

### Added

- The Comic Text tooltip may now be dimissed by right clicking on it.

## [1.2.1] - 2011-08-07

### Added

- Optionally replace tooltips for *ALL* HTML elements, not just images.
- Shiny new options page.

### Changed

- Rewritten tooltip engine for superior performance.

## [1.1.2] - 2011-02-24

### Fixed

- Fixed bug in the way the popup was being positioned
- Extension should now load slightly faster

## [1.1.1] - 2011-02-18

### Fixed

- Fixed loading of default whitelist.

## [1.1.0] - 2011-02-12

### Changed

- Some \"under the hood\" changes.

## [1.0.5] - 2011-01-31

### Changed

- Popup is now positioned offset below the mouse cursor.
- Another minor CSS tweak.

### Fixed

- Fix for issue where popups would get \"stuck\" when quickly mousing between multiple titled images.

## [1.0.4] - 2011-01-30

### Changed

- CSS updated to more closely mimic Chrome.

## [1.0.2] - 2011-01-29

### Changed

- CSS updated to more closely mimic Chrome.

## [1.0.1] - 2011-01-27

### Changed

- Fix to support Google Reader

## [1.0.0] - 2011-01-27

### Changed

- Initial Release
Read more

Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "name": "Comic Text", "author": "David Mills", "manifest_version": 3, "version": "3.0.0", "description": "Replaces the built-in Chrome tooltip to enable easier reading of the mouseover title-text for popular webcomics, such as xkcd.", "content_scripts": [ { "matches": [ "" ], "js": [ "comic-text.js" ], "run_at": "document_end" } ], "web_accessible_resources": [{ "matches": [""], "resources": ["config.js"] }], "options_page": "options.html", "background": { "service_worker": "background.js", "type": "module" }, "icons": { "16": "sigh-16.png", "48": "sigh-48.png", "128": "sigh-128.png" }, "permissions": [ "storage" ]}
Read more

How to download and manually install Comic Text extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Comic Text extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Comic Text extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Comic Text extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Comic Text extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Comic Text extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Comic Text Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Comic Text extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Comic Text extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Comic Text extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Comic Text extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Comic Text extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Comic Text extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Comic Text extension file

Select and download the Comic Text extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Comic Text extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Comic Text extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Comic Text extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Comic Text extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

Similar Extensions

User reviews

icon

Xalomon (ID: 000000fce49f3da0) Voted 4 ★ - Updated 10/14/2023 I wanted to use this to copy the content of the tooltips that appear (not on images but on links), and it works, but it's a bit cumbersome as right-clicking makes the tooltip disappear when showing the right-click menu, making it impossible to carry this action with the mouse alone (like when copying normal text) and requiring to use a keyboard shortcut like CTRL+C for it. Otherwise, excellent addon.

icon

Simmon Keith Barney (ID: 0000005de18e53cf) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 09/04/2016 Yeah, it works great on xkcd, but I had trouble using it elsewhere (specifically http://lernu.net).

icon

Andrew Irino (ID: 000000ba64e38c5c) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 05/22/2016 Lets you set the CSS for the tooltip as well as the URLs to activate on. Basically perfect.