I tested a few. I like Phrase Expander's ability to let you choose an entry from a popup menu. It also comes with template support, dynamic content insertion and macros that handle complex scenarios. Their page shows lots of corporate customers. Here you can review different pricing models and download a trial version you can use to test the program.
https://www.phraseexpress.com/docs14/09/shop.php
I use AutoHotkey which is free. It requires creating scripts so it's not that user friendly. But, it can often perform tasks you can do using your mouse and keyboard, such as opening Notepad, typing some text and saving the document. It's a macro program that happens to let you expand text by pressing hotkeys or by typing special symbols. Here's one example ..
5/17/19 7:43:51
I typed trtr and Autohotkey inserted the current date and time. That's an example of typing a "hotstring" vs pressing a hotkey. But for your purposes, I'd go with something like Phrase Express since it has features you might need in your business -- particularly template support.
Hello .. I've played with it for a while. If you read the help, you may have seen this in the help under Autocomplete ..
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"PhraseExpress detects repetitive text input automatically and - after a short training period - starts suggesting to auto-complete such recurring phrase for you."
The help doesn't tell us what that training period is. My assumption is that after you type a specific text pattern x number of times, the program would automatically add the pattern to your list of phrases.
I don't repeat too many long phrases but I tried doing that for a while. Help says
>"The feature is disabled by default and must be enabled at Settings » Autocomplete."
You may have done that under Settings > Autocomplete. There is no "on/off" switch. Instead there are three checkboxes named "Learn Individual Spelling" - "Suggest Entered Sentences" and "Suggest Entered Words."
I made sure that the last two checkboxes were checked. But so far, I don't see evidence of it auto-suggesting recurring phrases. I'll try a couple of other things such as pressing a different delimiter after I type a phrase. The help does say
"You need to type an entire sentence including a punctuation mark and either a space or carriage return."
I may not have included punctuation marks when testing. It does some interesting things besides letting you work with templates and forms. For instance, you can add a phrase that lets you type characters that open a program. I also need to see what it means by "Security issues may affect performance." I saw something like that one time.
Note: You should be able to type characters and the program inputs the text associated with those characters. You said you "use the hotkey." That's an option too but I normally type abbreviations that get expanded into longer text.
AFAIK, Windows 7 (and newer) doesn‘t have this feature built-in. However, there’s plenty of third party software for this:
http://www.wordexpander.net http://www.16software.com/breevy/ https://www.phraseexpress.com/
I use PhraseExpress. It takes some set-up time, but you can add literally anything to it. It works via multi-key combos that you are free to set as whatever. I also use it for diacritics.
I use PhraseExpress. You make an entry, then can execute it with a key combo or some characters. May not be exactly what you want, as it won't copy what you want to paste - you have to do that manually. But good for having to enter the same text repeatedly.
I've used Phrase Express for macro recording. As far as I can recall, it doesn't require admin rights provided the window it's manipulating isn't running in admin mode.
There's another far more robust program called Macro Toolworks which is all about automation. It supports scripting language as well. I've also used that a couple of times but don't recall if it needs admin privileges.
I don't know if there are any addons for that, but I've been using Phrase Express. What's nice is that it a) works well, and b) is also usable in browsers, word processors, etc.
I insert timestamps a lot like this one 032422 1140
I typed "ttt" and it got replaced with that timestamp. Autohotkey lets you
This article shows the 3 lines of code you can use to insert datetime.
You can find other text expander program. AHK is free and does a lot more and, as seen in this post, works in any Windows program.
Phrase Express is free for personal use. It lets you insert complex content such as templates and forms as needed. https://www.phraseexpress.com/shop/freeware/
The software "PhraseExpress" has text prediction/autocompletion for a decade: https://www.phraseexpress.com/features/autocomplete/
It can also import and learn from your Word documents or emails sent with Outlook. PhraseExpress can scan these sources for repetitive text and suggest them when you start to type the beginning of a text.
Please, take our apologies for your experience. We aim to support our customers(!) as good as we can.
However, we kindly ask for your understanding, that we are not able to provide support for our freeware version. Please note, that we expressly advertise this circumstance.
However, we offer a detailed documentation with many step-by-step video tutorials and a FAQ including a troubleshooter for freeware users.
Hope this helps.
Please check this FAQ entry which includes a step-by-step troubleshooting video.
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>Text input-aware applications detect keyboard input through a
daisy-chain of "keyboard hooks". Some applications may break this chain
and programs later in the queue are cut off from the text input; known
programs include "Microsoft Powertoys Keyboard Manager", "VDOS",
"Microsoft Intellitype".
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Close and restart PhraseExpress to re-arrange the chain of keyboard
hooks. Alternatively, exit any other application, that may listen for
keyboard input to check for interferences.
It's difficult to interpret your question; I'm assuming that you are asking if you can create a global hotkey (e.g., it works regardless of the application), to insert or 'paste' your e-mail address into a Word document, or a website on Chrome, et cetera. Assuming my interpretation is correct, I suggest a text insertion utility.
PhraseExpress: https://www.phraseexpress.com/download/
A text insertion command - as well as other features - can be called via a keyword (e.g., a text abbreviation, that expands into the desired text when keyed into an editable field); it can also be assigned to hotkey combination.
There is a portable version, so it can be run from a web-based folder application like Dropbox.
I wasn't able to find an easy solution for PC. I use an autotext program called PhraseExpress, which is free for personal use. I had to set up the macros on my own, which was a lot of copying and pasting, but it works great. You don't even need unique triggers because you get a menu to select from. You can even decline to replace the text.
PhraseExpress does that. Depending on your need, it can save you a lot of time. It's easy to use but if you want to learn the more advanced features, you'll need to look at the help. Advanced features include the ability to create templates that contain variables so you could automatically paste large amounts of text that might be slightly different depending on the scenario.
It's free for personal use so you might want to read their info about that. I only use if for personal use, but as their page shows, people with a business need can probably save money by buying a license because of the amount of time they might save using the program.
Similar programs exist, such as PhraseExpander. Autohotkey (free) can work, but it's not as robust as a dedicated utility that makes it easy for anyone to create and manage snippets or entire documents that they need to paste.
That'd be nice. Right now, though this isn't possible without the help of third-party software. I use PhraseExpress but any macro creator would work, there's a simpler app in the Windows App Store, aText, that'd work as well. You'd just need to reassign a new shortcut say Ctrl+Q
to simulate the keypress of Ctrl+P
for quick find. Not as great as a built-in solution but I find it helpful for a variety of things.
Yes, AHK can help you be more productive when using your PC professionally and personally. Also look into PhraseExpress for Medical Transcription. I don't use PhraseExpress nor am I endorsing it but it looks like it maybe useful for medical professionals and for saving time and errors filling out EMR.
You can do this with Phrase Express. It's a macro/text replacement program and already comes with this function, sort of.
For example, I can select text anywhere (firefox, notepad, MS word etc.) and press Ctrl-F8 which pops up a menu with options for where I want to search. Youtube/wikipedia/google are already there but you can add your own options and remove previous ones if you like.
I achieve this I use combination of 2 programs:
Both from Bartels Media GmbH and both free, however can be tricky to initially get what you want out of them
I've used those too, actually! But, meh, it depends on how much you use them if it's overkill lol. If you're able to whip up something really fast, then I'd say it's worth it. Especially if you're bored or were looking for an excuse to program something.
Btw, just incase I wasn't clear when mentioning the text replacement program, I mean something like Phrase Express (this is something I found with a quick Google search, incase there's something better). You could set something like "!e1", !e2", "!e3", and so on to expand/be replaced by the text for emoticons. "!" For being a command-esque thing, "e" for emoticon, and then numbered for multiple.
I don’t know how the Macro feature works, since I’ve never used it. Here’s the official Macro feature page.
I can’t say if it will work for you unless you try it. IIRC, it’s free for basic personal use. I paid $30 (or maybe $40, I forget) for a commercial license and it paid for itself the first day.
Let me know if it works for you. I may be missing out!
Yeah, that's true. The iOS version isn't great because of the Apple limits to iOS, so it works like a third-party keyboard -- except a badly designed one. In any case, I believe I tried this app on Windows a few years ago: https://www.phraseexpress.com/text-expander-android.htm
They have an iOS and Android app. A bit more pricey, though. Looks like licensing works like DevExpress.
PhraseExpress is a simpler version of AutoHotKey if all you're wanting to do is text replacement. I have all of my standard ticket replies in hashtag blocks so I can type something like #reply and it will substitute a big block of text. It can do a lot of neat stuff if you delve down into the different options.
PhraseExpress is gonna be your new best friend. You can assign key combinations to symbols, be they diacritics or IPA symbols, and you can assign multiple things to the same key combo, where it'll bring up a little menu for you to select the one you want if you want to keep all the combos easy to remember.
The free version isn't a trial that runs out or anything.
It seems you need a macro.
For instance, you could write a macro that types KING in the first field, then ARTHUR in the next one. Simulating a TAB keypress between both words should do the trick.
Create a new phrase.
In the Phrase Content frame, type KINGARTHUR.
Put the insertion point beetween KING and ARTHUR.
Click on Output, Simulate Keypress, Tab.
The {TAB} field appears in your phrase, highlighted in green. You've got a macro.
Then adjust Autotext and parameters as you wish.
However, if what you are trying to do is automate site login, I would strongly advise you to use a password manager for that, instead of Phrase Express. Phrase Express is both unsafe and overly difficult to use for such an aim.
I use Kee Pass, and can recommend it. If you need cloud sync, you might prefer something like Bitwarden or 1Password.
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I use PhraseExpress. The initial setup is a minor PITA, but after that it just quietly works no matter where you're typing. You get to set your own "type this to get that", they don't have to be unique, and you can even choose to implement it or not each time. And it's useful for so much more than just inserting IPA symbols.
Thanks for mentioning our software https://www.phraseexpress.com. Did you know, that you automate the autotext creation with the powerful "bulk editing functions". To access them, right-click the folder, that contains the phrases, you wish to generate autotext for and choose the desired command.