Texter

by Lifehacker for Windows XP

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Free Software to Replace Abbreviations with Text

Much like texting via a standard mobile device there can be instances when you require preset abbreviations or acronyms to be replaced with text. One common example is the ability to translate ‘ttyl’ into ‘talk to you later’. This Lifehacker Code Texter is an excellent and user-friendly piece of software to keep in mind. It is able to work within standard operating systems and can be installed in only minutes.

How Does it Work?

The Lifehacker Code Texter enables you to enter in what are known as ‘hot strings’. These are predetermined abbreviations (such as the one listed above). When such snippets are then typed into a common document the phrase that they are associated with will appear. This enables you to save a great deal of time when writing multiple emails or when a certain string of text needs to appear multiple instances throughout a document.

Other Streamlined Functions

Lifehacker Code Texter provides you with additional options to enjoy. For instance a new hot string can be quickly entered by using the Ctrl-Shift-H function. You can replace or modify existing text strings when required. The contents from a clipboard can also be entered with the simple click of a button.

Texter lets you define text substitution hotstrings that, when triggered, will replace hotstring with a larger piece of text. By entering your most commonly-typed snippets of text into Texter, you can save countless keystrokes in the course of the day.

Unlike software-specific text replacement features, Texter runs in the Windows system tray and works in any application you’re typing in. Texter can also set return-to markers for your cursor and insert clipboard contents into your replacement text, in addition to more advanced keyboard macros.

One common use example given for applications like Texter is email signatures. For example, you could define a series of hotstrings that would be replaced by different signatures. So something like sig1 will automatically be replaced by your full signature when triggered.