Think about the words and phrases on ourcomputersthat we type over and over again, without even thinking about it. Emails and site logins are just a few of these frequently keyed fields, but there are plenty others.
Now what if we told you there was a neat shortcut onmacOSthat lets you automatically input repeated words? It’s a feature called text replacements, and it’s also available on iPhones and iPads.
Difficulty
What You Need
Mac computer
Add text replacements on Mac
When you add new text replacements on your Mac, you can use them on your iPhone or iPad as well. Just ensure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID tosync the content.
Step 1:OpenSystem preferencesusing the icon in yourDockor theAppleicon in theMenubar.
Step 2:SelectKeyboard.
Step 3:Go to theTexttab. If you’re synced with your iPhone or iPad, you may see shortcuts you’ve added there.
Step 4:To add a replacement, select thePlus signon the bottom left.
Step 5:Type the shortcut you want to use to replace the text in the box that opens.
Step 6:Press yourTabkey and then enter the text you want to display when you use the shortcut.
Step 7:Press yourReturnkey to save the text replacement.
By default, your replacements are listed in alphabetical order according to the shortcut.
(Not all characters need a custom shortcut - some already have a keyboard shortcut in macOS, like theem dash.)
Use text replacements on Mac
When you want to use a text replacement, open your document, text message, email, note, or other item.
Step 1:Place your cursor where you want the string of text, and type the shortcut.
Step 2:You should see the replacement text pop-up box beneath the shortcut.
Step 3:you may then select that text, pressReturn, or use theSpace barto replace the shortcut with the text.
Step 4:If you don’t want to replace the shortcut with the string of text for some reason, select theXon the right side of the small pop-up box.
Edit or remove text replacements
You can change existing text replacements or remove those you don’t use.
Step 1:InSystem preferences>Keyboard, go to theTexttab.
Step 2:To edit a replacement, select it and enter the new shortcut or text you want to display. Then, press yourReturnkey.
Step 3:To delete a replacement, select it in the list and use theMinus signon the bottom left to remove it.
With text replacements on Mac, you can speed up what you want to type. For similar ways to work more productively, check out some of thebest Mac keyboard shortcuts.
