hi all
Question 1:
Using the default keyboard (sony UK english) on my Z3 compact, how do I add a custom word?
I've experimented a bit and found no option, if you use any kind of word suggestion.
If you turn off suggestions entirely, you can type what you want.
There seems to be no happy medium between the two though 
I came from a rooted HTC Desire with the classic HTC_IME mod and miss the auto suggested words + ability to add words, unless there's a way to do it that I've just not discovered with the stock keyboard.
What about if I use the T9 version? I suppose that allows you to type words not known but again I can't work out a way of saving them
I have checked out a lot of keyboards and had been using perfect keyboard free, as you can add custom words and it supports T9. However, it's hugely intolerant of mis-typing (i.e. it won't 'correct' or guess at the words, if you've not spelt them correctly), so revisited the stock keyboard on my Z3 compact.
Any suggestions or ideas?
Question 2:
Can you export or back up the system personal dictionary? I'm assuming perfect keyboard has been saving to this. However, I can't see an actions available for the personal dictionary, except to add a word.
Thanks for any help.
Regards,
Gary
@agusv97 wrote:Hello,
You can add custom words manually. Head to Settings > Language & input > Personal dictionary. There you should be able to add a custom word by tapping on "Add" in the top right corner
Hi Agusv97
Thanks for the tip. This is the storage location for some keyboards but seemingly not for the xperia keyboard dictionary.
I actually have been using the Jelly Bean 4.3 keyboard (VLLWP) for many months. It's very good. This saves to the location you've described.
I then use User Dictionary Manager (Adrian Vintu) to back up this dictionary (exports to .txt). 100% works on export and import. It even has a duplicate word checker.
I've revisited the xperia keyboard and it seems much better. Last time I used it I swear I inputted a custom word but then it didn't get provided as a suggestion. Admittedly this was a version maybe 6-9 months ago.
In fact, the xperia keyboard that ships with my current firmware (23.4.A.1.232) has a virtually identical word picking scheme to my jelly bean keyboard.
Regarding custom words for the xperia keyboard, they appear to be saved in a list called "My words" under "learn my writing style". This is to be found under settings/language & input/xperia keyboard. You can manage, edit & delete added words here. You can also scan for words from gmail and text messages. This is a very powerful way of creating a custom dictionary. Note that any spelling issues will be carried over from texts and emails.There is a backup function in the same menu but requires data traffic i.e. backs up to cloud, which might mean you need you google account to be active (just guessing here - haven't tested). I don't use google to store contacts and my calendar, so i might not be able to back up "my words".
Thanks for your post and everyone else's here - I might try the xperia keyboard again for a bit, as it feels faster than my jelly bean one, although the jelly bean one supports open emojiis, which is cool. 
Cheers,
Gary
PS given up with T9 as perfect keyboard was utterly unforgiving regarding spelling. Also, gesture/swyping is such a slinky, nice way to type. Works perfectly on Xperia keyboard and Jelly bean 4.3 keyboard.
@agusv97 wrote:Oh, I didn't know about those apps. I'll give them a try on my tablet as it's keyboard has became laggy for some reason.
About Xperia keyboard it has really improved. I had an Xperia T before the Z3C so I've been using it for a lot of time. The last update they have done is to add the numbers to the top of the keyboard and nice emojis, something that was about to make me try another keyboard.
Theres an app called Helium that allows you to back up everything, from game progress to wifi passwords and keyboard words. I use it everytime I do a factory reset to my phone or tablet. It's easier to use having a rooted phone but it's not mandatory to have it rooted. Maybe you find it useful, not only for the keyboard.
T9 is awesome for small keyboards. I have an old nokia spare phone with T9 and I still write like if I used it everyday. It's really intuitive, but uncomfortable for a touch phone, at least for me
yeah I've noticed emojiis popping up when using the xperia keyboard. Some great ones that I wasn't expecting e.g. a picture of a hat when I type hat I've configured the xperia keyboard too, so symbols and numbers are above the keys - nice and quick, when you just need the odd non-letter character.
I still miss the way you can access multiple common symbols from one button on my jelly bean keyboard. It's the same as long-pressing the "." on the xperia keyboard - you just have more symbols to pick from. If you long press the enter key, you get emoticons too on the jb kb.
Interesting tip regarding helium. I saw mixed reviews on its performance on google play though and you simply can't afford your backup solution to be anything less than 100% reliable. When I was first using android, the ones to use were titanium backup and mybackup. I use the latter, although I just use it to retain the APKs, for a nice, quick, local reinstall. I do my settings/data backups, app by app, which sounds laborious but I only backup my SMS/MMS, call log and perhaps 4-5 other apps, like my dictionary. All other settings are in the cloud or I just re-program.
I really liked T9 too - just couldn't find an app with all the functionality I wanted and I'm now addicted to swyping. Perfect keyboard came so close but, as said previously, literally one character mis-spelt and you get garbage/nonsense words. I'm sure the original T9 on nokias, etc, weren't so finicky.
0online
1898227posts