QuoteURLText

Browser Extension for Copying Text with Attribution

Overview

QuoteURLText is a browser extension that enhances your text copying experience by automatically including attribution information. When you copy selected text from any webpage, it formats the content with the page title, URL, and timestamp using customizable templates.

🎯 Context Menu Integration

Right-click on selected text to access the "Quote Text" option directly from the context menu.

📝 Customizable Templates

Define your own format using template variables to match your citation style or preference.

🎨 Rich Text Support

Copies both plain text and HTML formatted versions to your clipboard for versatile pasting.

🔄 Automatic Attribution

Includes page title, URL, and timestamp with every quote without manual effort.

How to Use

Select Text: Highlight any text on a webpage that you want to copy.
Right-Click: Open the context menu by right-clicking on the selected text.
Choose "Quote Text": Click on the "Quote Text" option from the menu.
Paste Anywhere: The formatted text is now in your clipboard, ready to paste.
Pro Tip: You can also click the QuoteURLText icon in your browser toolbar to access the settings and customize your template.

Template System

QuoteURLText uses a flexible template system that allows you to customize how your quotes are formatted. Use these variables in your template:

Variable Description Example Output
@quote The selected text "This is the selected text"
@title Page title "Example Page - Website Name"
@url Page URL "https://example.com/page"
@date Current date and time "Sun Jun 15 2025 10:30:45 GMT-0400"

Default Template

@quote --@title --@url --@date

Template Examples

Academic Citation Style

"@quote" Source: @title
URL: @url
Accessed: @date
Output:
"QuoteURLText is a browser extension that enhances your text copying experience"

Source: QuoteURLText - Support & Documentation
URL: https://example.com/support
Accessed: Sun Jun 15 2025 10:30:45 GMT-0400

Simple Format

@quote From: @title (@url)
Output:
QuoteURLText is a browser extension that enhances your text copying experience

From: QuoteURLText - Support & Documentation (https://example.com/support)

Markdown Format

> @quote
*Source: [@title](@url) - @date*
Output:
> QuoteURLText is a browser extension that enhances your text copying experience

*Source: [QuoteURLText - Support & Documentation](https://example.com/support) - Sun Jun 15 2025 10:30:45 GMT-0400*

Formal Citation

Quote: "@quote"

Title: @title
Website: @url
Date Accessed: @date
---
Copied via QuoteURLText Extension
Output:
Quote: "QuoteURLText is a browser extension that enhances your text copying experience"

Title: QuoteURLText - Support & Documentation
Website: https://example.com/support
Date Accessed: Sun Jun 15 2025 10:30:45 GMT-0400

---
Copied via QuoteURLText Extension

Customization

To customize your quote template:

Open Settings: Click the QuoteURLText icon in your browser toolbar.
Edit Template: Modify the template in the text area using the available variables.
Save Changes: Click the "Save" button to apply your new template.
Test: Try selecting text and using the context menu to test your new format.
Note: After changing your template, you may need to refresh already-open web pages for the changes to take effect.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Context menu doesn't appear:
  • Ensure text is selected before right-clicking
  • Check that the extension is enabled in your browser
  • Try refreshing the page
Nothing copies to clipboard:
  • Verify clipboard permissions are granted to the extension
  • Some secure pages may block clipboard access
  • Try testing on a different website
Template not updating:
  • Make sure to click "Save" after editing your template
  • Refresh pages that are already open
  • Check for typos in your template variables
Rich formatting not working:
  • Some applications only accept plain text
  • Try pasting into a rich text editor like Word or Google Docs
  • The HTML version preserves links and basic formatting

Browser Compatibility

Privacy & Permissions

QuoteURLText requires the following permissions to function:

Permission Why It's Needed
activeTab Access the current tab's content and metadata (title, URL)
contextMenus Add the "Quote Text" option to right-click menus
clipboardWrite Copy formatted text to your clipboard
storage Save your custom template preferences
Privacy Note: QuoteURLText operates entirely locally in your browser. No data is sent to external servers. Your templates and quotes are stored locally on your device.

Support

If you encounter issues or have questions:

Version: This documentation is for QuoteURLText version 2.0.3. This version replaces the original QuoteURLText which supported Firefox versions prior to 55.