Insert Euro and Dollar currency symbol

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Michael

The Phrase Expander for Windows, PhraseExpress, can also be used to enter the Euro and Dollar currency symbols with ease.

Please check out this video tutorial:

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Insert a random name with a hotkey

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Michael

PhraseExpress can be used to insert a random phrase (quote, name, sentence) when pressing a hotkey:

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Leave a comment

Import lists of abbreviations and phrases from any plain text file

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Michael

PhraseExpress can import lists of abbreviations and phrases from any plain text file:

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Leave a comment

Create text snippets with the ABCZ abbreviation scheme

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Michael

Jon Knowles introduced the ABCZ scheme to create abbreviations for medical transcription purposes that can be easily memorized.

Learn in this video how to easily create such abbreviations from any plain text file with the help of PhraseExpress:

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Leave a comment

Text Snippets Export

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Michael

The Text Snippets Organizer PhraseExpress can export any text snippets folder for use with any other PhraseExpress installation.

This video shows you step-by-step how to export phrase folders:

Please learn more about data import/export in the PhraseExpress manual.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Autotext based on the program window title

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Michael

The Text Expander for Windows, PhraseExpress, can expand the same Autotext shortcut into different phrases, depending on the program title of the target application.

This step-by-step video tutorial shows you how to configure PhraseExpress for this feature:

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Autotext Options

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Michael

The Text Expander for Windows, PhraseExpress, has powerful options to control Autotext. Please check out this walk-through video of the various Autotext text replacement options:

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Share common phrases with a NAS

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Michael

The Boilerplate Template Manager PhraseExpress can also share a common phrase file with the help of a NAS device.

Please watch the video tutorial to learn how to configure the PhraseExpress Server service:

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Leave a comment

How to automatically log into website

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Michael

The Text Expander for Windows, PhraseExpress can not only manage boilerplate templates but also automate repetitive tasks such as loggin onto website accounts.

This is a HQ video and we recommend to watch it in full-screen:

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Text Inserter Freeware

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Michael

If you have another PC where you just need a simple Autotext utility without all the advanced features of PhraseExpress, please check out our new Text Inserter program.

The Text Inserter “InstantType” expands text abbreviations into longer phrases. Not more, not less.

It is Freeware and completely free for personal and commercial use and has no nag screens or advertisement.

Posted in General | 7 Comments

Know your Typing Speed

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Michael

The Text Snippets Software PhraseExpress can also measure your actual typing speed when working on your computer.

Here is a video how this is done:

Click here to watch video in full resolution.

Posted in General, PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Leave a comment

Batch Text Import

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Michael

The Text Expander for Windows, PhraseExpress, can read your existing Word and plain text files line by line and create text snippets from each line of your source files for quick access:

Watch video in higher resolution.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Smart AutoCorrect

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Michael

PhraseExpress is not only a text insertion utility but also includes a smart AutoCorrect feature. It’s new TypoLearn enhancement learns the corrections of your individual spelling mistakes.

Here is a short video to illustrate the feature:

Click here to watch video in higher resolution.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Major new version of the text insertion utility PhraseExpress available

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Michael

A major new version of the text insertion utility PhraseExpress has been released today.

Click here to learn more about the new features.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Inline Calculations

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Michael

Tired of grabbing your pocket calculator as the only thing you need is a quick result of a formula while you work on any paper?

PhraseExpress is not only a Text Expander for Windows but can also do some nice tricks with text input.

One feature allows you to perform a calculation in any Windows program “as-you-type”.

Watch this 30 seconds video demo:

Just install PhraseExpress which is free for personal use and download the free “special functions” phrase file from our web page http://www.phraseexpress.com/phrases.php.

Posted in PhraseExpress | Leave a comment

Text Inserter – Usage Examples

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Michael

Howard Getson runs a highly acclaimed blog Capitalogix and he is an advanced PhraseExpress user.

In his latest posting he shows some nice applications for PhraseExpress.

Enjoy!

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Leave a comment

Insert a future or past date or time within a text snippet

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Michael

PhraseExpress cannot only insert the current time or date but also output a date or time that is in the future or past.

Here are two examples (assume it’s a Thursday and the time is 10:45 PM):

  • If the Autotext is “in one hour”,  the required macro function would be {#datetime -f t -s 1H}. The text that will be pasted after you type the corresponding Autotext In one hour will be 11:45 PM.
  • If the phrase text is “Three days ago was a {#datetime -f ddddd -s -3D}”, the text output will be “Three days ago was a Monday“.

You can add or subtract years, months, days, hours, minutes, or seconds. This can be easily configured with the macro input dialog as shown in this step-by-step tutorial video:

Enjoy!

P.S.: Please do not miss our other video tutorial about the date/time stamp function. It will show you how you can output the current time or date by just pressing a hotkey…

Posted in General, PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Boilerplate templates with input forms

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Michael

PhraseExpress cannot only insert static text snippets but also prompt users for additional input before inserting a boilerplate template into a document.
This video illustrates the simple procedure how to create a form step-by-step:

Please find additional information in the PhraseExpress manual.

Please note, that this particular feature requires the Professional Edition of PhraseExpress.

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Creating and using text variables

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Michael

This video is for advanced PhraseExpress users who are experienced with macro programming.

The video tutorial shows you how to create text variables that store dynamic text information for use with multiple phrases:

The macro function #setphrase is used to create a phrase that acts as a text variable. This text variable phrase can then be inserted with the macro function #insert into any other phrase.

As you can see, macro functions can be used to do very tricky and useful tasks.

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged | Leave a comment

Autotext with multiple choice

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Michael

The general purpose of Text expander programs is to expand abbreviations, like “asap” into long terms such as “as soon as possible”.

However, most these programs fail to assign the same shortcut to multiple different long forms. In our example, “asap” would also be suitable for the term “Aviation Safety Action Program” but it could not be handled by average text expander software.

The Text Expander PhraseExpress, however, allows you to re-use the same abbreviation for as many phrases as you like. In such case, PhraseExpress will offer you a popup menu directly next to the cursor for easy selection of the desired item.

This video tutorial will show you, how easy it is to use:

Please learn more about the Autotext options in the manual.

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged | Leave a comment

Autotext for medical transcription

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Michael

This is a video tutorial for advanced users of the text expander PhraseExpress.

PhraseExpress can expand text shortcuts to longer snippets but it can also start suggesting longer words or sentences if you begin typing them.

Here you can see an example how to configure the program for medical transcription purposes:

The text expansions are not limited to single words. You can even trigger complete sentences, such as diagnostic reports by beginning to type an abbreviation.

The medical transcription wordbase as shown in the video can be downloaded from the PhraseExpress website.

Please do not mix up the incremental Autotext as explained here with the text prediction feature. It appears to work similar but uses a wholly different data source. The text prediction feature is based on your normal everyday text input whereas the incremental Autotext is only suggesting Autotexts that exist in your phrase library.

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Text Expander for Windows

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Michael

The Autotext utility PhraseExpress can now also import text snippets created with the Mac software TextExpander from SmileOnMyMac:

TextExpander import

PhraseExpress also supports all TextExpander macro functions, e.g. to insert manual text input, nesting of snippets and date/time stamps.

Here is a one minute step-by-step video tutorial:

Watch in higher resolution

Download PhraseExpress for Windows

‘TextExpander’ is a trademark of SmileOnMyMac, LLC.

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Customize the SmartSearch feature

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Michael

The text expander PhraseExpress includes a useful search function that allows you to search for any phrase that is highlighted in any application in a range of search engines.

This video shows you how to add any search webpage of your choice to the PhraseExpress SmartSearch selection:

Please find more information in the manual.

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Insert a handwritten signature by Autotext

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Michael

PhraseExpress can not only manage text snippets but also insert any bitmap triggered by an Autotext abbreviation. This allows you to insert your hand-written signature into your email or Word document by just entering an Autotext.

See how this is done in PhraseExpress:

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Enclose text with quotation marks

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Michael

The text inserter PhraseExpress can also modify existing text. This video tutorial shows, how to create macro that enclose any text with quotation marks by pressing a single hotkey:

The manual contains additional information about the macro {#clipboard} that is used in this tutorial.

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Leave a comment

Insert a date stamp with a hotkey

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Michael

The text insertion program PhraseExpress can not only manage frequently used text templates but also insert the current date or time stamp with a single keypress.

This video illustrates how to configure PhraseExpress in just a few easy steps:

Learn more about the date and time stamp feature in the manual.

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | 1 Comment

Avoiding unwanted Autotext replacements

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Michael

The text replacement utility PhraseExpress has several options to avoid unwanted text insertions caused by the Autotext function.

This video will show you some tricks to get the most out of Autotext:

Please learn more in the chapter Autotext of the PhraseExpress manual.

Posted in General, PhraseExpress, Text Expander | 3 Comments

Boilerplate templates with multiple choice text

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Michael

The Boilerplate template software PhraseExpress cannot only manage static text templates but also allows you to create multiple choice phrases. You can then choose the desired phrase or partial sentences from a handy popup menu that appears next to the cursor.

This video demo shows you how to configure multiple choice phrases. Please turn on your speakers:

Additional information can be found in the manual at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#insert.

Posted in PhraseExpress | Tagged | Leave a comment

Caps-Sensitive Autotext

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Michael

If you enter an Autotext in MS Office, it does not recognize upper and lower case letters and always insert the phrase with upper/lower case as you originally stored it.

The problem is, that sometimes you enter an Autotext in the beginning of a sentence and need the inserted text starting with upper case. And if pasted within a sentence, you rather need lower caps text insertions.

The Autotext utility PhraseExpress now can dynamically choose the suitable upper or lower case automatically.

See the video demonstration here (turn on your speakers):

Additional information can be found in the manual.

Posted in PhraseExpress | Tagged | Leave a comment

Transfer AutoCorrect settings to a new PC

Posted on March 23, 2009 by Michael

Dennis O’Reilly explains a way to export your Word AutoCorrect items for use on another PC.

This may work nicely but it may get tedious if you want to have your AutoCorrect settings synchronized on all your computers.

PhraseExpress allows you to not only to share your AutoCorrect settings among multiple computers in a network but also to use them in any program, not just in Outlook or Word.

Here is a step-by-step video tutorial that shows you how to import your AutoCorrect data:

You can either share the AutoCorrect data by importing and exporting the phrase file or alternatively use the PhraseExpress Network Edition that allows sharing phrases, signatures and Autotext items with a sophisticated Client-/Server architecture.

Posted in PhraseExpress | Tagged | Leave a comment

Add a random quote to your Email Signature

Posted on March 20, 2009 by Michael

The Text snippets organizer “PhraseExpress” can also store email signatures for use with any email client or web based email application.

The are many benefits of using PhraseExpress for this task instead of the signature feature built-in most email clients:

  • You can manage your signatures centrally with the Network Edition
  • Signatures can be used in any program not just the one email client you are currently using.
  • PhraseExpress makes it easier to select from multiple signatures; e.g. if you have separate signatures for personal vs. business purposes or if you have signatures in different languages.
  • Your signature templates can be enriched with dynamic contents such as a random quote or additional text automatically scheduled by time-/date, such as a seasonal promotional offer.

Here is a video tutorial how to create a signature with your written signature and a random “Idiom of the day”:

Posted in General, PhraseExpress | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Auto-fill forms in any program

Posted on March 19, 2009 by Michael

Filling forms again and over again is a quite tedious task. There are Firefox add-ons to cover this job but the downside is that such proprietary addon is limited to one particular program. Any stored abbreviation would not be available anywhere else (e.g. if  you switch to another browser or if you work in another program).

The text expander PhraseExpress works system-wide in any Windows program and allows you to quickly fill in forms in your favorite web browser as well as in any other application such as a PDF form, etc.

Video demonstratin (turn on speakers):

Posted in General, PhraseExpress | Tagged | Leave a comment

Web based Search in any program

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Michael

Imagine, you could highlight any text in any program and search for that term e.g. in Google, Wikipedia, Translate.com, etc., with a single keystroke.

The text expander “PhraseExpress” offers that: For example, mark an address in Word, Messenger, Excel, dBase or Dreamweaver, hit the customizable keyboard shortcut CTRL-F8 and select the desired webpage for the query in a handy popup menu.

Here is video demonstration (turn on speakers):

If this feature should not work out-of-the-box in your configuration, update to the latest PhraseExpress version and download the free add-on that offers the “Smart Search” feature.

You can also add other websites of your choice. We will show you  how to do this in another video tutorial soon.

Posted in PhraseExpress | Tagged | Leave a comment

Launch programs with text shortcuts

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Michael

Program Launchers have become a popular software utility category.

Personally, I have never understood this idea for a simple reason: Why install an extra utility for a task that can be done in Windows already?!

Ever hit the WIN-key on your keyboard? Just try and then begin to type the application’s name you want to launch. As you can see, Vista already comes with a “Program Launcher”!

Anyway, PhraseExpress can also launch programs by entering a text shortcut if you want:

Benefits of using PhraseExpress as a Program Launcher:

  • You do not need to install yet another application for that task.
  • You can also open file folders or websites by shortcuts
  • You can share your program launch shortcuts with others with the PhraseExpress Network Edition
  • The program launch feature can be combined with any other PhraseExpress macro function.
  • PhraseExpress is free-of-charge for personal use.
Posted in PhraseExpress | Tagged | Leave a comment

Access to your Clipboard history

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Michael

PhraseExpress originally is a text expander utility but also include a Clipboard Manager as a ‘side-dish‘.
Demonstration Video:

The Clipboard cache can keep up to 99 Windows clipboard contents which would normally be overwritten by the system whenever you copy new contents to the clipboard.

By default, you can open the clipboard cache selection popup by striking the hotkey CTRL-ALT-V.

Optionally, you can let PhraseExpress strip off any text formatting from the clipboard items.

More information can be found in the manual at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#cache

Posted in PhraseExpress | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

HTML Code Completion

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Michael

The free Text Expander utility PhraseExpress can help you to enter html code more efficiently. You only need to enter the beginnning of any html tag and the program offers you to close the tag automatically.

Here is a video demonstration (turn on your speakers):

This feature works in any Windows program, e.g. your web browser or simple text editor.

Posted in PhraseExpress | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Speed up your typing efficiently

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Michael

If you write a lot of emails, you probably find yourself typing the same phrases over and over again.

How many times have you typed your full name, address, bank account information or phrases like “Yours sincerely” and “Kind regards”? Hundreds? Thousands?

PhraseExpress is a free text expander software for Windows that significantly speeds up your typing.

Video demonstration (turn on speakers!):

Features:

  • Autotext - Just type any chosen text abbreviation and PhraseExpress automatically expands it into the full phrase for you. E.g. typing ‘sig’ could paste your signature into any program.PhraseExpress provides this known MS Office Autotext feature in any Windows program.
  • Text Autocompletion – PhraseExpress recognizes repetitive text input automatically and offers to auto-complete sentences on the fly.
  • Spell Checking – PhraseExpress automatically corrects spelling mistakes in many languages. Ever wished for a spelling correction feature in your web browser or messenger program? PhraseExpress works everywhere!
  • Clipboard Manager - While the standard Windows Clipboard inserts only the last copied text segment, the PhraseExpress Clipboard History stores all recently copied clipboard contents for instant pasting into any application.
  • Program Launcher - Launch programs simply by entering a text shortcut. For example, type ‘word’ to launch Microsoft Word or ‘exc’ to open a spreadsheet.
  • Email Automation - Reply to emails faster and with fewer errors. With PhraseExpress you can easily customize email templates, which allows you to access pre-defined emails with a single keystroke!
  • Email Signatures - PhraseExpress can manage your email signatures for use in any mail program, such as Outlook, Lotus Notes or Thunderbird. Dynamic contents can be embedded from ActiveDirectory/LDAP.
  • Macro Automation - PhraseExpress helps to automate repetitive tasks like logging into your email web account.
  • RSI Syndrome Prevention - PhraseExpress reduces the risk of suffering from the repetitive strain injury, as it helps to significantly reduce amount of time spent using a keyboard.

This blog has just started and we will start publishing video tutorials that will show you step-by-step how to use this Text Expander efficiently.

Click here to download PhraseExpress now – It is free-of-charge for personal use!

Posted in PhraseExpress, Text Expander | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment