Abbreviation expansion is a strategy for reducing keystrokes while typing. By using the autocorrect feature in a word processing application, you can assign a series of letters or characters and letters (an abbreviation) to be automatically replaced by a word or phrase.
Abbreviation expansion can save time and energy when typing. However, this technique is really only helpful for words or phrases that you use repetitively. For example, if you want a quick way to type your phone number, you could assign the letters “ph” to be automatically replaced with the text “888-888-8888.”
One important tip, choose an abbreviation that is not an actual word. For instance, you would not want to assign the letters “am” to automatically change to the word “Amy Miller” since “am” is a word. So, keep that in mind when selecting an abbreviation. One trick is to add a character to the abbreviation; for example, “;am.”
The benefits of abbreviation expansion:
- Reduces typing time and improves productivity: Abbreviation expansion helps by automatically completing words and phrases, saving you time and effort in typing each character individually.
- Customization: Allows you to add custom phrases and abbreviations, which is useful for repetitive personal information or industry-specific terminology.
- Increased spelling accuracy: Once the abbreviation and expanded phrase are entered into the program correctly, you can be assured that the text is entered into the document error-free.
- Minimize fatigue: Can reduce typing-related fatigue and strain
Microsoft: AutoCorrect entries (Desktop Word only)
Free Word Online supports AutoCorrect for capitalization corrections and typo corrections. Unfortunately, you cannot add or remove words from the AutoCorrect list in the free version.
With the desktop version of Word, you can add words to the AutoCorrect list. Gratefully, when you add to the list in one Microsoft 365 program, the other Microsoft 365 programs are also affected. So, you may enter your abbreviation expansion word list once and have the strategy available in each application.
In the AutoCorrect setting, add your abbreviations and the expanded words or phrases.
- Enable “Replace text as you type.”
- In the Replace column, type an abbreviation.
- In the With column, type the desired word or phrase for replacement.
Microsoft Support articles:
Google: Automatic substitutions in Docs
You can set up automatic substitutions in Google Docs.
Note: The automatic substitution will not capitalize the words. So, in Google applications, this feature is limited to words that are not proper nouns.
- Open a document in Docs.
- Select Tools from the menu.
- Click Preferences.
- Press the tab labeled Substitutions.
- Enable Automatic Substitutions.
- In the Replace column, type an abbreviation.
- In the With column, type the desired word or phrase for replacement.
- Click Ok.
- In the document, type the abbreviation and a space. The abbreviation will automatically expand into longer text.
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Additional typing tricks and tips
- Dictation tool to transcribe spoken words into typed text
- Word prediction to reduce keystrokes
- Keyboard shortcuts to save time and energy
- Modify key activation to assist with typing
Resources
TextExpander – Subscription abbreviation expansion program. Create “snippets” of text to perform repetitive tasks at quicker speeds by automatically expanding the text. Free 30-day trial.
Also Read
The Ultimate Guide to Keyboard Alternatives
The Big List of Computer Mouse Alternatives
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