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How to set up and use the Text Substitution feature.

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How to Set Up and Use the Text Substitution Feature

Text substitution is a handy feature that allows you to create shortcuts for frequently used phrases, words, or snippets of text on your device. It can save you time and effort by automatically replacing these shortcuts with the full text. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up and using the text substitution feature on various platforms.

Table of Contents

Text Substitution on iOS

The text substitution feature on iOS can be configured through the Keyboard settings. Here's how to set it up:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
  2. Scroll down and tap on General.
  3. Tap on Keyboard, then select Text Replacement.
  4. Tap on the "+" button to add a new text substitution.
  5. In the Phrase field, enter the full text you want to replace the shortcut with.
  6. In the Shortcut field, enter the shortcut you want to use.
  7. Tap Save to add the text substitution.

To use the text substitution, simply type the shortcut you configured, and iOS will automatically replace it with the full text.

Text Substitution on Android

Android devices offer different methods for text substitution, depending on the keyboard app you are using. Here's a general overview:

Gboard (Google Keyboard)

  1. Open any app where you can type text.
  2. Tap on the keyboard icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to open the keyboard.
  3. Long-press the comma (,) key or the enter/return key to open the Gboard menu.
  4. Tap on Settings, then select Text Correction.
  5. Tap on Personal Dictionary, then select your desired language.
  6. Tap on the "+" button to add a new text substitution.
  7. Enter the Shortcut and the corresponding Phrase.
  8. Tap OK to save the text substitution.

Now, whenever you type the shortcut, Gboard will automatically replace it with the full text.

Samsung Keyboard

  1. Open any app where you can type text.
  2. Tap on the keyboard icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to open the keyboard.
  3. Tap on the gear icon or the three-dot menu icon in the top-left corner of the keyboard.
  4. Scroll down and tap on Smart typing.
  5. Toggle on the Text shortcuts option.
  6. Tap on Add in the Text shortcuts menu.
  7. Enter the Shortcut and the corresponding Phrase.
  8. Tap Save to save the text substitution.

Once set up, the Samsung Keyboard will automatically replace the shortcut with the full text as you type.

Text Substitution on macOS

On macOS, the text substitution feature is built into the system and can be set up through the Keyboard settings. Follow these steps to configure it:

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.
  2. Click on Keyboard, then select the Text tab.
  3. Click on the "+" button below the text substitution list to add a new entry.
  4. Enter the Phrase and the corresponding Shortcut.
  5. Close the preferences window to save the changes.

From now on, whenever you type the shortcut, macOS will replace it with the full text across all applications.

Text Substitution on Windows

Windows doesn't have a built-in text substitution feature, but you can use third-party tools to achieve the same functionality. Here are a few popular options:

  • AutoHotkey: AutoHotkey is a powerful automation tool that includes text substitution features. Install AutoHotkey from its official website and create a script with your desired text substitutions.

  • PhraseExpress: PhraseExpress is a dedicated text expansion tool available for Windows. Download and install PhraseExpress from their website, then create and manage your text substitutions using their intuitive interface.

Once you have set up one of these tools, you can define your desired shortcuts and the corresponding phrases to enjoy text substitution on Windows.

That's it! You now know how to set up and use the text substitution feature on different platforms. Take advantage of this time-saving feature to streamline your typing workflow and boost your productivity.