TextExpander is an application that’s based on a very basic idea, but one that’s become so invaluable that I find myself missing it when I’m using a computer that doesn’t have TextExpander on it.

Essentially, TextExpander allows you to create a bunch of short text “snippets” which, when typed, replace themselves with other specified content. For example, if I type “memail” (without quotes), as soon as I type the last letter, TextExpander will automatically replace that string with webmacster87@gmail.com. This works with any text! TextExpander is the best system for managing signatures that I’ve ever used, as an example. By typing “signame” (without quotes), it outputs “–Douglas Bell” (without quotes). It works with all knds of content, including images and formatted text.

I even use TextExpander to make HTML code a breeze. If I type ahreff, it will type . I can even tell TextExpander to place the cursor in between the quotes by typing a %| in the TextExpander Snippets pane (see below)–that tells TextExpander exactly where I want the cursor to be placed, so I can immediately paste or type the URL for the link. In fact, I use TextExpander snippets to insert the HTML code for the Larry-heads I use on PreviewCast and the W’s that I insert on the bottom of these review posts.

TextExpander installs itself as a System Preferences pane, so it’s accessible ANYWHERE you type text. It also has a very smart system for snippets which warns you when there is a conflict with another existing snippet. SmileOnMyMac also offers a snippet pack download which contains all of the auto-spelling corrections that Microsoft Word uses, and works in very much the same way.

TextExpander also includes a number of preferences. For example, you can decide whether or not abbreviations are case sensitive or not, and if you don’t like TextExpander expanding your abbreviations immediately when typed, you can choose to set a “delimiter”–a key command that will tell TextExpander to expand what you type. TextExpander also includes a little “blip” that lets you know that it just saved you time. You can turn it off, of course, but the sound is just too cool to pass up.

TextExpander is a little bit pricey at $29.95, but it does save you time. As of when I’m writing this post, TextExpander has said that it has expanded 926 snippets, saving me from typing 24,029 characters. At a rate of 400 characters a minute, that means that it’s saved me a whole hour of typing. Now how many applications can actually tell you that it’s saved you time? Check out TextExpander–within a week, you’ll be typing less, and you’ll be hooked.

Final Rating:

Tags: Mac, preferences, review, snippets, Software, text editing, TextExpander, utility