![]() ![]() The only complexity is that you will need to grant TextExpander access to your Mac's Accessibility Access. While its all-business interface is uninviting at first blush, once I began to use it-and reap its rewards-I learned to love its system-wide Snippets.Īlthough TextExpander 4 is not available on the Mac App Store, downloading and installing the utility from Smile's website is nearly as simple. From supplementing keyboard shortcuts to autocorrecting typos, from completing online forms to creating document templates, TextExpander has earned itself a coveted spot in my workflow. A sobering proposition I suppose, but once I accepted the repetition of my writing practices, I realized I could use it to truncate my most tedious tasks. Smile's Mac shortcut utility TextExpander 4 (Opens in a new window) ($34.95) has taught me how much of what I do can be automated. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication. ![]() How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.I pull it up next to the program that I use for my IEPs for easy reference. Anyone else always forget to mention the oral mech exam?īetter yet, just open up the program and make the window smaller. Having a list can also help you make sure you don’t miss any important parts of the IEP. You won’t need this forever, but it’s helpful to have a list of your “shortcuts” at your fingertips. You can also use a similar trick for pronouns (e.g., type “his/her” and then search to replace with the correct pronoun). When I’m filling in the report, I can hit CTRL+F (Windows) or COMMAND+F (Mac) to quickly find and replace all the stars. So easy!Ĭheck out the video above for a tutorial on how to get this set up! Click here to download the FREE step-by-step guide.Īnother tip? I use “***” as a placeholder for the student’s name (or appropriate pronoun). I made up an abbreviation, put in the content, and made a label (optional). Yes, this may take some time, but I promise it’ll be worth it! STEP 2: Add Your PhrasesĪdd your “template” phrases to your text expander. This was kind of annoying, and I didn’t even consistently use the templates I made. Before I started using the text expander, I would open my document and go back and forth to copy over the information. I also went through and created templates for frequently administered tests (e.g., a test description and placeholders for test scores/interpretations). I already had a template made for the redundant phrases in my paperwork (e.g., student considerations, prior notice, etc.). Make a list of the things you are always having to type. Go through your evaluation and IEP paperwork. How do you use this text expander? STEP 1: Review Your Paperwork Unfortunately, the expander wouldn’t work in my school’s IEP program, so I had to find a different option. I tried a Google Chrome extension ( Auto Text Expander) because I reeeeeeally wanted to be able to quickly sync my “codes” between multiple computers. ![]() ( Caveat: I haven’t tried it myself yet, but I will let you know as soon as I do.) They have paid options out there, but I’ve heard that this one will do the job. I use a few different computers/devices for work, so that was a very important feature for me! They have a free 30-day trial if you want to give it a try!ĪText is a good option if you’re on a Mac. This is one of the pricier options, but I chose it because I can sync between all of my devices. If so, you can jump right ahead and start thinking about how else you might use this tool to save yourself some time! Note: Some of you lucky ducks might have a paperwork program that already has this feature built in. Today, I’m sharing how this simple little tool can cut your writing time in HALF! As an added bonus, it might also reduce the number of typos in your reports. I used a text expander when I was in school, but I recently started using it to boost my productivity at work. Think frequently used phrases in evaluations/IEPs, evaluation/IEP templates, e-mail addresses, your credentials (all those fancy letters!), and so forth. Although I love chocolate, there are a number of slightly more functional ways to use this. ![]() choc, it will automatically “expand” to I love chocolate. For example, if I always write “ I love chocolate,” then I can enter a shortcut (e.g. Have you heard of a text expander? If you’re tired of paperwork, then you need to check it out!Ī text expander allows you to create your own shortcuts. ![]()
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