Import & Export

You can export your dictionary and snippets to create a backup, or import words from a file to add them in bulk. TalkWriter uses the standard CSV format (comma-separated values), which you can open in Excel, Google Sheets, or any text editor.

CSV Format Explained

A CSV file is a simple text file where each line is one entry, with values separated by commas. Here is what TalkWriter expects:

Dictionary CSV

Column	Description	Required
word	The word exactly as it should appear in transcriptions	Yes
pronunciation	A phonetic hint for how you say the word	No

word,pronunciation
TalkWriter,talk-writer
Reduanul,red-oo-ah-nool
Kubernetes,koo-ber-net-eez
OAuth,oh-auth

Snippets CSV

Column	Description	Required
trigger	The short keyword that activates the snippet	Yes
expansion	The full text that replaces the trigger	Yes

trigger,expansion
/sig,"Best regards, Jane Smith"
/addr,"123 Main Street, Suite 400, New York"
/ty,"Thank you for your email."

warning

The first row must be the header row (word,pronunciation or trigger,expansion). TalkWriter skips this row during import.

Exporting Your Dictionary

1. Open Settings > Dictionary
2. Click the Export button (download icon) in the toolbar
3. Choose a save location on your computer
4. Click Save

TalkWriter saves a .csv file with all your words and pronunciation hints.

Exporting Your Snippets

1. Open Settings > Snippets
2. Click the Export button
3. Choose a save location and click Save

tip

Export your dictionary and snippets regularly as a backup. Store the files in a cloud folder so you always have a recent copy.

Importing Words

1. Open Settings > Dictionary (or Settings > Snippets for snippets)
2. Click the Import button (upload icon)
3. Select your .csv file
4. TalkWriter shows a preview of the words to be imported
5. Review the list and click Confirm Import

What happens during import:

• New words are added to your dictionary
• Duplicate words are flagged — you choose to skip, overwrite, or keep both
• Invalid rows are shown with a warning so you can fix them

Sharing with Your Team

1. Export your dictionary or snippets as a CSV
2. Send the file to your colleague via email or shared drive
3. They import it into their TalkWriter

info

On Enterprise plans, administrators can push dictionary updates to all team members automatically through the admin console.

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FAQ

Can I import from Excel (.xlsx)? Not directly. Save your Excel file as CSV first (File > Save As > CSV).

Will importing overwrite my existing words? No. Imports are additive by default. You are prompted to resolve any conflicts.

What encoding should my CSV use? UTF-8 encoding is required for proper handling of special characters and non-English words.