This documentation refers to PhraseExpress v6 beta. The documentation for current v5 is available here.
Output target
By default, phrases are pasted into the program window that has input focus.
The output target can be customized for each phrase:
Current application
The phrase is pasted into the application that has input focus at the time you trigger a phrase. This is the default setting.
Example: If you enter an autotext in the Mac App "TextEdit", PhraseExpress would paste the corresponding phrase into the same App.
Specific program
The phrase content will be pasted into the specified program. You can further specify the output target by defining a window title. In the input field, you can use "*" as a wildcard placeholder:
| Window Title | Notes |
|---|---|
| Otto | The window title must be exactly "Otto". Note: Keep in mind that the window title is often dynamic and, for example, may include the name of the currently edited file. Some programs add an asterisk to indicate that the file has been edited. In these cases, an exact match is not suitable. |
| Otto* | The window title must start with "Otto" and can include any subsequent text. |
| *Otto | The window title can start with any text and must end with "Otto". |
| *Otto* | The window title must contain the word "Otto" somewhere. |
If the program is not running when the text snippet is executed, you will receive a notification offering to revise the output target setting (provided you have write permissions for the text snippet).
Keep in mind that window titles can change while operating a program, e.g. many programs carry the currently loaded file name as the window title.
Clipboard
The phrase will be pasted into the clipboard for further use in your workflow.
Text file
The phrase contents will be written into a text file (*.txt, *.rtf).
- If only the path is specified, PhraseExpress prompts you to enter the file name.
- If only the file name is specified, PhraseExpress prompts you to select the desired file directory.
- If no file/path is specified, PhraseExpress prompts you to enter the desired file location.
- If no file extension is specified, PhraseExpress automatically adds *.rtf for formatted text or *.txt for unformatted text.
PhraseExpress tries to create the directories if the specified path does not exist.
Existing files will be silently overwritten with the new content.
PhraseExpress generates an email with the phrase contents as the email body and the phrase description as the email subject.
If no email address is specified, PhraseExpress prompts you to enter the email address.
If the flash button is pressed, the email will be dispatched immediately (use with caution!).
Attachment and formatted text emails have been tested with the Apple Mail App. It may not work with other mail programs.