Introduction
If there's one thing laziness taught me, it's how to avoid retyping text I've already written at least once.
Here's a concrete example. I recently sold a guitar on Leboncoin. Since it was a nice Stratocaster, I got a lot of messages from people who wanted to try it. And for each request, I had to send the exact same thing: my address.
I could have copied and pasted it from an older conversation. But that would mean scrolling back, finding the right message, copying it, coming back to the new chat, pasting it. Not very efficient.
That's exactly why text expanders exist.
What is a text expander?
A text expander is a tool that automatically replaces a short piece of text with a longer one.
On paper, it doesn't sound impressive. But once you start using it, you realize how many things you type on repeat.
In my case, I simply told the tool that every time I typed :adr, it should replace it with my full address. These automatic replacements are called snippets.
Result: no thinking required. Whether by SMS, email, in an admin form, or when ordering online, I type :adr and my address appears instantly.
Use snippets for everyday text
Once you get the idea, you can apply it to every bit of text you retype regularly.
Personally, I use it for my first name, last name, and my signature. When I type jj, it becomes Jerome. dd becomes Dumont. And jd outputs Jerome Dumont, which is perfect to sign a message or an email.
These are tiny optimizations, but repeated dozens of times a day, they make a real difference.
How to choose good shortcuts
To keep it effective over time, follow a few simple rules.
First: use shortcuts that are easy to remember. For example, the first letters of words, like bav for "Best regards".
Second: add a trigger character in front of your snippets. Many people use : to avoid accidental triggers. If you type a normal word that matches a snippet, it could expand when you don't want it to.
There are exceptions. For very specific snippets like jj or dd, collisions are unlikely, so you can keep it simple.
The key is consistency. A clear system is much easier to remember over the long run.
Automatically fix your typos
Text expanders aren't only for saving time. They can also fix mistakes on the fly.
If you have recurring typos, you can create snippets that automatically replace them.
There are even ready-made lists with hundreds of common typos. Once imported, they correct your text in real time, everywhere you type.
Go further with text expanders
Some tools also support variables. For example, automatically insert today's date, the current month, or your full signature with a single shortcut.
Some text expanders are free, others paid. Some are browser extensions, others are system-level apps that work in every application, including on mobile.
If you've already started automating repetitive tasks - especially with broader automation tools as explained in the page on automating repetitive tasks - text expanders are often the next logical step.
Start gradually
One last important tip: don't try to create fifty snippets at once. You'll forget them.
Add them as you go. Every time you type something and think "I'll probably write this again," create a snippet. You'll lose a few seconds in the moment, but you'll save time every time you reuse it.
It's a tiny investment with a huge return.
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