

Here, select Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options. Open Word Options (Click File then Options). Here, we’ll be using Microsoft Word 2016 to demonstrate the setup steps, but the process is similar in older versions.
Text expander free how to#
While you won’t find a feature within Word labeled “text expander,” what I’m going to show you is how to use the Spell Check feature called AutoCorrect, which automatically corrects misspellings and other common errors as you type.
Text expander free software#
Chances are, you already own the software (Allegis transcriptionists transcribe in Word). Microsoft Word’s AutoCorrect feature is a popular and simple way to begin using text expansion while transcribing. Many other text expanders were mentioned, but these were the top four. Tying for a distant second place were Shorthand 10 and Instant Text 7, and in third place was Phrase Express. When we surveyed our transcriptionists to find out what text expander software they’re using, Microsoft Word’s AutoCorrect feature came in as the clear favorite, with 46 percent listing it as their text expander of choice. Think a 30 percent increase is too extreme? Well, even a more modest 15 percent increase would bring you up to $17.25/hour! The Best Text Expanders If your earnings typically pencil out to about $15/hour, a 30 percent increase in typing speed translates to $19.50 an hour. Research has shown that transcriptionists can increase their productivity by up to 30 percent by using text expanders.

Using a text expander will reduce your TAT, save keystrokes, improve accuracy, and boost your earnings. However, once you’ve integrated text expansion into your transcription work, you’ll be amazed at how you ever lived without it. On an ongoing basis, you’ll want to spend time maintaining and building your dictionary. Setup involves entering commonly used words and phrases, and creating and memorizing custom abbreviations (the “trigger” text).

Text expanders require effort to set up, learn, and maintain, but you’ll thank yourself later. You’ll reduce your spelling and grammar errors by entering words and phrases perfectly once they’ll automatically be entered that way every time. Text expanders can also increase accuracy. We’ll save the advanced stuff for a later post. Advanced text expansion software can even auto-insert canned email responses, forms, and templates, but let’s keep it simple for now. You can use custom abbreviations to insert a wide range of text fragments, from single words to entire paragraphs. By using the abbreviation “acdr,” for example, you can automatically insert “accident report.” Handy, right? Insurance transcriptionists often come across the phrase “accident report.” With a text expander, you can eliminate ever needing to type this phrases out, letter by letter, again. Text expanders use custom abbreviations to insert words or phrases for you automatically. Think of text expanders as similar to the auto-complete or predictive typing on your smartphone. Luckily, it’s possible to automate the typing of repetitive words and phrases and increase your turnaround time (TAT). Repeatedly typing the same words and phrases is mind-numbing, increases keystrokes, and burns precious time. Text expanders can increase your typing speed (up to 30 percent) and you can earn more as a result. If you’re not familiar with text expanders and how they work, then this post is precisely for you. Recently, we surveyed several hundred transcriptionists on their usage of text expanders and, to our surprise, discovered that only about 70 percent use text expansion. By Tyler Marshall for Allegis Transcription How to Start Transcribing with a Text Expander
