Using Butler shortcuts to enter commonly used text

Is there a piece of text that you find yourself typing again and again? Want a keyboard shortcut to enter it? For example, pressing Alt-E to enter your email address anywhere.

The solution I use is Butler. It is an extremely versatile tool.

• With Butler running, go to Configuration
• Right click on Hidden Items
• Smart Item -> Text (in the most recent version, it seems to be Smart Item -> Clipboard -> Plain Text)
• Under Triggers, specify your ‘Hot Key’ keyboard shortcut
• Under Text, specify your frequently entered text e.g. email address

Done! The next time you press Alt-E anywhere, your email address will show up.

Notes:

• You are probably wise to choose a more obscure shortcut the Alt-E to avoid clashes with other apps, but the principle remains.
• I use LastPass to automate filling in entire forms (name, address, email), but the approach I describe here can be used anywhere (in a document, IM window, whatever).

 

Tags: butler, productivity, shortcuts, tools