CROSSWORDS: Authoring: Applications

Summary | Selected Apps | Other Software/Lists

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Summary

• Many crossword construction applications / sites are available;
  Solving Apps discussed earlier
• Apps vary by platform: Mac, Win, Lnx (Linux), browser ("web");
  web apps run in most major, modern browsers,
  e.g., Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Edge;
  mobile-friendly web apps ("webM") run in phone & tablet browsers
• Apps vary by features, puzzle sizes/types, puzzle formats, support, cost
  -- some apps free, some offer demo versions / trial periods
• Some web sites provide publishing/distribution capability so that others can solve your puzzles,
  and perhaps a social media feature for commenting and discussing puzzles.
• Besides images below, Constructing Crosswords: Gallery: Constructing Apps features OLLI example for
  apps: CrossFire, Crossword Compiler, Crossword Maker for Cruciverbalists, Ingrid;
  browser: Crosserville, Crosshare, CrossHatch, Crossword Composer, Exet, Phil, PuzzleMe, SparklingFill;
  manual: Across Lite
• Disclaimer: list below is incomplete, out-of-date; see also: Other Software/Older Lists
• To avoid malware, install software only from your device's App Store or developer's official site.

app: CrossFire | Crossword Compiler | Crossword Construction Kit |
Crossword Weaver | Crossword Wizard Creator | Eclipse | Ingrid | Qxw

browser: Crosserville | Crosshare | CrossHatch | Crossword Composer |
Crossworthy | Exet | Phil | PuzzleMe | SparklingFill

manual: Across Lite | 'Office';
other: misc. software/lists

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Across Lite (AL)

• platforms/cost: Win, Mac: free
• formats: .txt, .puz, .pdf
• manual process
  create tagged file in a text editor;
  Open: .txt, e.g., olli-ex.txt; Save As: .puz
  custom print (.pdf) options, e.g., olli-ex-puz.pdf, olli-ex-sol.pdf

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Crosserville

• platforms/cost: web (-Safari): free
• formats: .puz, .pdf, NYT
• 5 x 5 - 31 x 31;
  tutorial video; FAQ;
  schoOL LIfe example

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CrossFire

• platforms/cost: Win,Mac,Lnx: $50; Java included
• formats: .puz, .jpz*, .pdf, NYT; *limited import, no export
• FAQ; Docs; Walkthrough;
  (Steve uses); no free-form generation;
  Crossfire Tutorial
  How to set up a wordlist/dictionary; How to link a clue database
  How to lay out a grid and fill it; How to use the lookup tab and edit a wordlist
  Comparison with Crossword Compiler; 50:09; 10/17/2021;
  schoOL LIfe example

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Crosshare

• platforms/cost: web, webM: free
• formats: .puz, .pdf, web
• 5 x 5 - 25 x 25;
  Google account req.; tutorial; source;
  schoOL LIfe example

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CrossHatch

• platforms/cost: web: free
• formats: .puz
• docs, source

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Crossword Compiler

• platforms/cost: Win, Mac: via VM: *$; applet avail.
• formats: .puz, .pdf, web, PS, ...
• *one-off purchase may still be available;
  subscription model price varies for functionality and dictionaries:
  Basic: $2/mo.; Pro: $6/mo.; Business: $25/mo.
  Docs; Tutorials; crossword.info samples, user-submitted puzzles;
  Creating American newspaper-style crossword puzzles feature video: 25:40; 1/30/2021;
  Gallery: on Mac; schoOL LIfe example

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Crossword Composer

• platforms/cost: web, webM: free -- still avail?
• formats: .puz, .xpf
• 15 x 15, 21 x 21;
  schoOL LIfe example

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Crossword Construction Kit

• platforms/cost: Win: $30
• formats: ?
• free-form only

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Crossword Weaver

• platforms/cost: Win: $40+; web: free
• formats: .pdf, web
• free-form and symmetric; last updated 2016?

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Crossword Wizard Creator

• platforms/cost: Win, Mac: $49-$159
• formats: ?
• free-form only?

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Eclipse

• platforms/cost: Win: free
• formats: .doc, web
• free-form only?

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Crossworthy

• platforms/cost: web: free
• formats: .puz (export), .pdf, NYT
• collaboration support; Crossworthy Player (on site)
• 5 Questions for Crossword Constructing Duo May Huang and Kevin Trickey! 3/11/2021

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Exet (exet.app)

• platforms/cost: web: free; applet avail.
• formats: .puz*, 'exolve'
• docs, source; exolve.org
  *.puz export; indirect .puz import:
  Evolve-player:
  Choose: .puz, .ipuz: e.g., olli-ex.puz
  button (bottom of page): "Save Exolve-converted..."
  later: Exet: Open > Open Evolve File: Choose File (saved from Exolve Player)

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Ingrid

• platforms/cost: Win, Mac, Lnx; open beta; free
• formats: .puz, .jpz, .ipuz, .cfp
• tutorial; source

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MS Office: Word, Excel; Google Docs, Sheets

• platforms/cost: Win, Mac: $; web: free?
• formats: .doc, .xls, .pdf
• manual process; search for tutorials, videos -- a few below
• Google Sheets: Collaborative Crossword tinyurl.com/xw-collab; export as .ipuz;
  Maurus, Flippity add-on
• Microsoft Excel: stmcomputers.edublogs.org, exceltable.com
• Libreoffice: Crossword Extension
• AmuseLabs: How to Make Crossword Puzzles in Word 9/28/2023
• How to Make a Crossword Puzzle on Microsoft Word
• How to Make Crossword Puzzles WikiHow; 3/4/2022
• 9+ Blank Crossword Templates PDF, Excel, EPS; free
• Crossword Parser: paste image of a grid; converted onto clipboard;
  paste result into spreadsheet; may get a few squares wrong
• Generate a grid symmetry not enforced; download .png
• Garson Hampfield, Crossword Inker by animator Michael A. Charles;
  video: 6:45; how crosswords are built behind the scenes ;-)

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Phil

• platforms/cost: web: free
• formats: .puz, .pdf, NYT, .xw
• 15 x 15; local install; docs, source;
  version w/ more features: use, docs, source;
  schoOL LIfe example

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PuzzleMe (AmuseLabs)

• platforms/cost: web: free (for personal use)
• formats: .puz, .jpz, .xml, .xw
• fill-in form fields, or import puzzle
• embed code (IFRAME) available for solvers
• Every Major Newspaper in The World Has These Dharwad-Made Crosswords. Here’s Why 7/8/2021

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Qxw

• platforms/cost: Win; Lnx; Mac*: free; last updated: 2020?
• formats: .qxw, SVG
• cryptics, barred, hexgrid, circular; docs
  
  *How about Mac OS X?;
  Getting qxw to work on Mac OS (command line install); img: Ventura (macOS 13); 12/2023

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SparklingFill

• platforms/cost: web, webM: free (Pro:$9/mo.)
• formats: .puz, .pdf, NYT
• 10 x 10 - 25 x 25;
  docs; circle import support?
  videos: Quick Crossword Builder; Theme Editor (Pro);
  schoOL LIfe example

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Other Software / Older Lists

• Make Most Interesting Puzzles with the Best Crossword Construction Tools
  Eclipse Crossword; Crossword Compiler; CrossFire; Crossword Weaver; 10/15/2019
• American Crossword Tournament [old list]
• blacksquare
  Python package with support for HTML rendering in Jupyter notebooks,
  .puz/.pdf export, and algorithms to help find valid fills
• Collaborative Crossword tinyurl.com/xw-collab; customized Google Sheet; export as .ipuz
• CrissCross comparison with Phil and Crossfire CrissCross is a private tool? video: 9:20; 2/28/2021
• Crossword Creation Tool web-based; cryptic-oriented; .pdf export only
• Crossword Creator Pro
• Crossword Editor Android
• Crossword Express

• 
  

  Crossword Forge Mac, Win; downloads available,
  but no developer site? old?

• Crossword Grid Search enter a grid pattern, search for
  existing variations on that grid (currently NYT-only)
• Crossword Magic for Atari 800 and Apple II
  Crossword puzzle maker. Choose subject, words, and clues;
  program automatically connects words.
  Play on-screen or make printout.
  L&S Computerware; manual; ~1981
• Crossword Maker For Cruciverbalists (CMFC) iPad;
  no longer avail. Review & Tutorial; video: 19:41; 5/27/2014; schoOL LIfe example
• Crossword Queen free; limited functionality
• Crossword Studio Mac, Win; last: 2011?
• crosswordr a mobile and web app platform (currently in development: 2022)
  where those who construct and solve crossword puzzles can connect -- like "YouTube for crosswords"
• Crosswyrd browser
• cruciverb.com [old list]
• Cruciverbalist iOS13+; macOS 11+ (M1+)
• Cruciverbalist Mac; last: ~2008?
• Cruciverbalizer web-based
• Dawn of the Dad
• GNOME Crosswords Gets a Standalone Editor With New Update available on Flathub: Crosswords (solve), Crosswords Editor; 9/11/2023
• Gnome Crosswords Linux; .puz, .ipuz
• Hamel, Ray [old list]
• Hot Potatoes
• Korsordsmakaren Swedish
• Kotwords generate .jpz or .pdf from a form or .puz; other puzzle styles
• MyCrossword cryptic & quick
• MyCrosswordMaker web; free-form and newspaper-style
• Klest-crossword open source; last version: 3/2014
• Puzzle-Generator Win; free-form
• Puzzle Maker Mac
• Puzzle Workshop Windows; Archer Software; last updated: 2007?
• Spoonbill Crossword Compiler Windows; FAQ
• Super Crossword Creator
• Sympathy (construction) by CrosswordMan; also TEA (solver)
  -- no longer sold/supported
• (UK) Crossword Puzzles [old list]
• variety-tools create variety puzzles; source; crosswordnexus
• Wordapp Crossword Maker Android
• Word Buff [old list]
• Words Up? import grid templates into Crossword Compiler
  or Symphony; Cryptic Library; Extract a grid from an image
• XWordJS fill tool for existing puzzles? [on right]
  upload .puz, .xpf; upload dictionary; other editing features?

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