CNET Editors' review
TextExpander is a popular and reasonably priced autotype/autocorrect program--a productivity-enhancing piece of software designed to save you time and keystrokes by automatically typing out frequently used words and phrases (such as signatures and greetings) and instantly correcting your typos. TextExpander's nearly invisible interface is simple: you type a short, user-specified abbreviation, and the app expands the abbreviation into a longer "snippet," whether a word, a phrase, or even an image or an entire e-mail. (You can even prompt TextExpander to execute a chunk of AppleScript.) You can customize your snippets and manage them in groups, and TextExpander comes with several groups built in, including ones for HTML and CSS, as well as a TidBITs AutoCorrect Dictionary with more than 2,400 common misspellings. You can also embed snippets within snippets, for example to insert the correct time or date.
TextExpander works across all your applications, or you can set the program (or just particular snippet groups) to work only in certain applications. You can use a menu bar drop-down to view and enter snippets, and extensive preferences let you easily search and sort through your snippets and tweak TextExpander to match your work style. It has options for different expansion delimiters and hot keys, to create new snippets and to turn TextExpander on and off. You can also assign a hot key to create new snippets from within applications, so you don't have to leave the application at all, and another hot key will let you quickly edit the most recently expanded snippet.
Overall, TextExpander has solid functionality and lots of nice extras, including the ability to sync snippets between multiple Macs with MobileMe, and collaboration-friendly features that let you share and automatically update snippet groups via a single URL. It's definitely one of the best options available for this type of app.
Publisher's Description
From SmileOnMyMac:
TextExpander saves you countless keystrokes with customized abbreviations for your frequently-used text strings and images. Save time and effort with TextExpander. Whether it's a simple email signature or several paragraphs of a standard response, you'll love how easy it is to use TextExpander to avoid typing the same thing over and over.
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All versions:
4.5 starsout of 24 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
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"Love this handy app"
Version: TextExpander 3.4
Pros
It saves me so much time. Just get it. You'll be glad you did.
Cons
None that I see.
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"Wow this utility solves issues I didn't even know I had"
Version: TextExpander 3.3.0.1
Pros
easy to use, works as promised
Cons
None that I think of
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"Incredibly useful!"
Version: TextExpander 3.2.2
Pros
Works everywhere, very flexible, very reliable.
Cons
None that I can think of.
Summary
I use TextExpander shortcuts so much that when I go to another Mac without it installed I find myself using the shortcuts and nothing happens! I disable similar functions in every other programs and just let TextExpander do it all. Brilliant!
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"Preference Pane vs. Application"
Version: TextExpander 3.1
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
The good folks at SmileOnMyMac suggest that turning this utility into an application is a good thing. I beg to differ. Utilities that quietly do their thing unobtrusively in the background as Preference Panes are better.
Since, I could do everything that the new version offers better in version 2.x, I've happily reverted back to 2.x.
My vote is for Preference Pane. -
"B A D !"
Version: TextExpander 3.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Just found out this program only works with Snow Leopard! Nice work guys! You just eliminated a huge part of your market! Intel Users Only! -
"Killerapp!!!"
Version: TextExpander 3.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
This is, beside 1Password, my main app on my Mac!
This is one of the best Macapps. -
"This thing is awful."
Version: TextExpander 2.8.1
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
This is a great idea poorly implemented. I type in the shortcut and sometimes it won't work. When it does work it sometimes causes the cursor to jump to a completely different page, etc. Further, it interfere with MacSpeech. This is a great idea gone bad, and the developer appears lost on how to fix it. -
"I really wish this worked"
Version: TextExpander 2.7.1
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
This is a great idea poorly implemented. The big problem I am having now is that TextExpander doesn't always run. I then have to go into the preferences and "stop" it, and "restart" it. If this did what it is meant to do, it would be great. -
"Works very well"
Version: TextExpander 2.6.1
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I was a longtime user of TypeIt4Me, the first Mac app that did this sort of thing. TypeIt4Me is really the granddaddy of these sorts of apps, but unfortunately, like a grandaddy it has sort of gotten a little slow and outdated. I switched to TextExpander because of expansion issues with TypeIt4Me, issues that I brought to the developers attention and he could not fix. Basically it couldn't keep up with me when I was typing fast and would expand words in the wrong place. I have only used TextExpander for a week, but I have not once had the same issue. Also, I have found the user interface more intuitive. TypeIt4Me is still a great product, so it is worth checking out if you are in the market for this kind of utility, but for now I have happily made the switch and would recommend TextExpander. -
"Great"
Version: TextExpander 2.5.2
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I give it full marks. Nevertheless, does any one know about a free alternative even if it may not be as wonderful as text expander?
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