In my daily work, I need to type the same words and phrases repeatedly. Given the amount of typing I do each day, the risks of RTS* and CPT** are high. To avoid such risks, I use TextExpander, a tool that uses custom abbreviations to automatically insert words or phrases into the text I type. This tool also enhances my productivity by allowing me to type more words in less time.
As an example, if I were to type my full name, I would just type ;znm. TextExpander would automatically replace it with Ajay Kumar Jain. Amazing. Isn’t it? Instead of typing 14 characters (including spaces), I can achieve the same result with 4 characters. Thus, saving 10 keystrokes reduces finger strain and speeds up my typing.
I just received an email from them reminding me of my 2025 usage statistics. I saved 2 days (~13 hours) this year by expanding 5597 snippets (abbreviations). Of these, 34 were inline searches, and 1 snippet was with fill-ins.
TextExpander is a paid tool, and you can see it’s pricing here.
*Radial tunnel syndrome (RTS) is a condition that causes pain and weakness in the forearm and wrist, and can make it difficult to grip and lift objects.
**Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed.