Microsoft Windows Text Services Framework (TSF) is a system service available as a redistributable for Windows. TSF provides a simple and scalable framework for the delivery of advanced text input and natural language technologies. TSF can be enabled in applications, or as a TSF text service. A TSF text service provides multilingual support and delivers text services such as keyboard processors, handwriting recognition, and speech recognition.
Where applicable
Text Services Framework is applicable for Windows-based computers using text services and Windows XP or later versions of the operating system.
Developer audience
Text Services Framework is designed for use by Component Object Model (COM) programmers using the C/C++ programming languages. Programmers should be familiar with text services for Windows-based computers. Knowledge of handwriting recognition, speech recognition, and programming for multilingual support is recommended.
Alphabetical listing of technical terms used in this documentation.
Additional resources
What You Should Know Before Reading This Guide
For the purposes of the Text Services Framework Help, the term "application" refers to a TSF-enabled application, the term "text service" refers to a TSF text service, and the term "manager" refers to the TSF manager. Each term applies as stated herein unless otherwise specified. Text service providers should provide digital signatures with their binary executables.
With the increasing availability of 64-bit Windows, users expect input methods, such as international keyboards in various languages or Input Method Editors (IMEs) in East Asian languages, to work properly with both 32-bit and 64-bit applications.
To set up Text Services Framework (TSF) to be used from the desktop, you must install text services. The following procedures describe how to install text services and the TSF language control bar on Windows XP.
Microsoft Windows Text Services Framework (TSF) is an application programming interface (API) that enables advanced, source-independent text input. TSF exposes its framework to applications and text services through a set of COM interfaces.