Text Snippets
Text Snippets let you type or say a short trigger word and have TalkWriter automatically expand it into a longer block of text. Think of them as text shortcuts — a few characters become an entire sentence, paragraph, or template.
How Snippets Work
A snippet has two parts:
- Trigger — a short keyword you type or dictate (e.g.,
/sig) - Expansion — the full text that replaces the trigger (e.g., your email signature)
Whenever TalkWriter detects the trigger during dictation or typing, it swaps in the expansion instantly.
Five Practical Examples
| Trigger | Expansion | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
/sig | Best regards, Jane Smith, VP of Marketing, Acme Corp | Email signature |
/addr | 123 Main Street, Suite 400, New York, NY 10001 | Mailing address |
/ty | Thank you for your email. I will review and get back to you shortly. | Quick reply |
/meet | Let's schedule a meeting to discuss this further. Please share your availability. | Meeting request |
/disc | This document is confidential and intended solely for the named recipient. | Disclaimer |
Creating a New Snippet
- Click the TalkWriter menu bar icon and select Settings
- Navigate to the Snippets tab
- Click + New Snippet
- Enter your Trigger — keep it short and unique (we recommend starting with
/to avoid accidental matches) - Enter your Expansion — this can be as long as you need, including line breaks
- Click Save
Prefix your triggers with a symbol like / or ; so they never match normal words. For example, use /sig instead of sig — the word "sig" could appear in normal speech and trigger accidentally.
Editing and Deleting Snippets
- Edit: Click the pencil icon next to any snippet, update the trigger or expansion, and click Save
- Delete: Click the trash icon and confirm the deletion
Using Snippets During Dictation
When you dictate and TalkWriter transcribes your trigger word, the snippet expands automatically. You can also type triggers directly in the Scratchpad or any application where TalkWriter inserts text.
Snippets work in both the Scratchpad and in any application where TalkWriter is active.
Dynamic Snippets with Variables
Snippets become even more powerful with dynamic variables like {date}, {clipboard}, and {cursor}. See Snippet Variables for the full list and examples.
This feature requires TalkWriter Pro or Enterprise. Upgrade
FAQ
Can snippets span multiple lines? Yes. The expansion field supports line breaks. Press Enter in the expansion box to add new lines.
What if two snippets have the same trigger? TalkWriter warns you if a trigger already exists. Each trigger must be unique.
Are snippets case-sensitive?
Yes. Sig and sig are treated as different triggers.
Is there a limit to expansion length? No practical limit. You can paste entire paragraphs as an expansion.