TypingMaster QuickPhrase
User Manual

Quickly handle emails with routine replies: your signature, frequently asked questions, price information, etc.
Fill in web forms with username & password or address information, for example.
Insert often-used phrases into any internet chat program (e.g., ICQ, IRC, Messenger).
Apply letter templates to word processing software.
Help manage auctions with pre-defined replies including current date & time.
Speed programmers' typing of standard constructions.

Quick tutorial to using QuickPhrase

Launch QuickPhrase
Type text in any application and copy it to the Windows clipboard
Click the QuickPhrase icon and select 'Insert phrase from clipboard'
In the 'Phrase description" window, give your phrase a good name so that you can easily recognize it in the list of phrases later on. Click OK and your phrase is now permanently stored.
To paste this phrase into any Windows application, just click the QuickPhrase icon and select the desired phrase from the menu:

Tip! Another way easy way to store phrases to your QuickPhrase is on the QuickPhrase Propertiese page. Open QuickPhrase by clicking the QuickPhrase icon and selecting 'Properties'. On the Properties page, simply use the buttons at the bottom left to add, remove and group your phrases.

Now you have an idea about the basic functionality of QuickPhrase. But it can do a lot more for you!

Automate Windows applications

QuickPhrase additionally supports powerful macro actions to run applications, open documents, or perform complex actions on your PC:

Play audio or video files with a single key-press
Open documents and pictures on the fly
Dial your internet connection quickly
Launch and control applications

Creating macros in QuickPhrase is described in detail in Chapter 4 of this manual.

2 Managing phrases and folders

Click the QuickPhrase icon , select Properties to open the phrases and folders screen.

Tip! To maximize the window, double-click on the title bar 'TypingMaster QuickPhrase Properties'.

2.1 Edit phrases and settings

The left-hand tree view allows you to overview and manage your phrases. You can create/delete folders and re-arrange the order of the phrases by moving them up and down in the list.

The default that QuickPhrase uses as the description of any phrase is the first 30 letters of a text you have stored. You may want to re-define the phrase description in the upper right field. What you type here will later appear in the tray icon pop-up window so that you can easily recognize the wanted phrase in the list.

The phrase itself can be edited in the phrase text field. A phrase can be up to 16 kilobytes long. Macro functions can be typed manually corresponding to the syntax or you can add a pre-defined macro by selecting it with the Add Macro button. If you select a macro function it can still be edited in the phrase text field.

Important: If you are using macros, the Paste Mode is automatically set to 'Key-by-Key'!

You can trigger any phrase or macro by clicking on the list in the tray icon pop-up window or you can define a keyboard Shortcut for a phrase (e.g. CTRL-ALT-F) or Autotext (e.g. J.D. --> John Doe)

QuickPhrase allows you to change the internal Paste Mode to define how phrases are being pasted with the following effects:

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Windows Clipboard	Fast	May overwrite existing Clipboard content (if 'Backup clipboard content during quick paste' setting not set)
Key-by-Key	Support of macros, compatible with all software	Slower

The Key-by-Key mode will enter the text you want to paste literally key by key. This is a slightly slower method than using the clipboard but will be successful even when an application does not accept text from the clipboard. Also, if you would like to use macros, then please choose Key-by-Key.

2.2 Settings

Click on the Settings tab to change to the corresponding dialog:

2.2.1 General shortcut

With the Phrase menu shortcut, you can use QuickPhrase without having to use the mouse.

The set key combination, for example Win+Q, opens the phrase menu and you can paste the phrase of your choice simply by typing the phrase number. Or, you can use the arrow keys and press Enter to paste the selected phrase.

2.2.2 General settings

When Enable keyboard shortcuts and autotext is checked, you can select phrases by using a keyboard shortcut of your choice. The keyboard shotcut is defined on the 'Phrases and folders' tab.

Show shortcuts in phrase menu shows the key combination you have defined for entering the phrase in a document.

Enabling Autostart QuickPhrase with Windows ensures that QuickPhrase is always available when you work on your computer.

2.2.3 Autotext Settings

Enable Autotext completion lets you define a short abbreviation for a snippet of text to paste it without needing to select the phrase from the phrase menu.

The autotext abbreviation is defined on the 'Phrases and folders' tab.

Note: QuickPhrase does not show any visuals for autotext entries (such as a tool tip) when you type. To use the autotext feature, you will need to remember the abbreviations you have defined.

Enabling Autotext within a word and Beep when autotext is enabled are self-explanatory settings for your convenience.

2.2.4 Phrase file

By default, your phrases and the QuickPhrase settings are stored in the user specific Application Data folder (usually c:\documents and settings\username\Application data\Myphrases.dta).

You can create a new file and define a different location for your file. You can also store and access multiple Phrase files.

2.3 Clipboard history

QuickPhrase stores your Windows clipboard entries while you work and you can at any time go and retrieve a snippet of text pasted earlier and store it in your QuickPhrase.

You can disable this feature from the Settings page.

3 Creating macros

Macros and Macro Functions allow you to send several CTRL-, ALT- or Function-key combinations to any Windows application. All keys from the keyboard are supported. Additionally, you may paste the current system date and time or launch and automate other programs.

Important: If you are using macros, please make sure to set the Paste Mode to 'Key-by-Key'!

3.1 Macro key syntax

+ = Shift
^ = Control
% = Alt
~ = Enter
() = Hold shift/ctrl/alt state for surrounded keys

To simulate pressing ALT+F, use notation %F. You can even use ^V to simulate Copy-Paste (Control+V).

To simulate keeping the control key down for several keys, you can use notation ^(ABCDE).

The special keyboard keys and the reserved keys can be used in macro mode by surrounding the key name with braces {KEYNAME}. Supported special key names are:

BACKSPACE, TAB, BREAK, CLEAR, DEL, DELETE, LEFT,RIGHT, UP, DOWN, ENTER, ESC, F1..F16, HELP, INS, HOME, END, PGDN, PGUP, PRTSC, SCROLLLOCK, NUMLOCK, CAPSLOCK, WIN, WINAPP

To repeat sending one key several times, enter the repeat value in braces. For example to simulate pressing arrow down 6 times, use the notation {down 6}.

%fa+(myfile.txt)~

%fa{CAPSLOCK}myfile.txt{CAPSLOCK}~

Both example macros above use Alt-F to save the current open file using capital file name MYFILE.TXT. This macro can be used in any windows applications -- e.g., Notepad.

3.2 Macro functions

QuickPhrase provides macro functions to perform more advanced tasks. The macro functions are called by entering the macro name in the phrase text area using the following notation:

{#MACRONAME(params)}

3.2.1 Basic date & time macros

System date and time can be output using the following macro functions:

{#time} ...prints the system time.

{#date} ...prints the system date.

{#datetime} ...prints both the system date+time.

Also, e.g., invoice date after 30 days can be counted and printed out automatically:

{#date(-001)} ...prints yesterday's date (accepts 001..999).
{#date(+001)} ...prints tomorrow's date (accepts 001..999).

3.2.2 Advanced date & time macros

{#datefmt(format-variables-here)} ... prints the specially formatted system date/time, e.g., dd-mm-yyyy (see variables below)

For example, to print out only month-year, use this macro: {#datefmt(mm-yyyy)}. Macro to printout just current hour is: {#datefmt(hh)}.

Advanced formatting variables available are:
d Displays the day as a number without a leading zero (1-31).
dd Displays the day as a number with a leading zero (01-31).
ddd Displays the day as an abbreviation (Sun-Sat).
dddd Displays the day as a full name (Sunday-Saturday).
m Displays the month as a number without a leading zero (1-12). If the m specifier immediately follows an h or hh specifier, the minute rather than the month is displayed.
mm Displays the month as a number with a leading zero (01-12). If the mm specifier immediately follows an h or hh specifier, the minute rather than the month is displayed.
mmmm Displays the month as a full name (January-December).
yy Displays the year as a two-digit number (00-99).
yyyy Displays the year as a four-digit number (0000-9999).
h Displays the hour without a leading zero (0-23).
hh Displays the hour with a leading zero (00-23).
n Displays the minute without a leading zero (0-59).
nn Displays the minute with a leading zero (00-59).
s Displays the second without a leading zero (0-59).
ss Displays the second with a leading zero (00-59).
am/pm Uses the 12-hour clock for the preceding h or hh specifier, and displays 'am' for any hour before noon, and 'pm' for any hour after noon. The am/pm specifier can use lower, upper, or mixed case, and the result is displayed accordingly.
a/p Uses the 12-hour clock for the preceding h or hh specifier, and displays 'a' for any hour before noon, and 'p' for any hour after noon. The a/p specifier can use lower, upper, or mixed case, and the result is displayed accordingly.
/ Displays the date separator character.
: Displays the time separator character.
'xx'/"xx" Characters enclosed in single or double quotes are displayed as is, and do not affect formatting.

3.2.2 Execute application/file

{#RUN(notepad.exe)}

Executes the chosen application and waits until application is ready to accept the keyboard input. The file must be found from the Path

{#OPEN(readme.txt)}

Executes the chosen application or any data file (e.g., HTML file). Does not wait until file is loaded. The file must be found from the Path

3.2.4 Send ASCII codes

{#ASC(123)}

Outputs a character using its ASCII key code entered in decimal using 3/4 digits. This is identical to notation when user presses 3-4 digits using external numpad with ALT pressed down. Note that some very special characters can be printed out in Key-by-Key mode only by using this macro.

For example to output German letter ü, use macro #ASC(129) .

3.2.5 Change focus to another application/window

{#FOCUS(WindowTitle)}

Sets focus to any active Application or Window based on the Window name, e.g., "Calculator". Note, if the application is not running or the window title does not match exactly, the focus will remain on the currently active window.

{#FOCUS(Calculator)}123{+}4{ENTER}

Switches to calculator (if running) and uses it to output 127.

3.2.6 Delayed pasting

{#SLEEP(nnnn)}

Delays the pasting for nnnn milliseconds. Note: In case of using a long delay and if keyboard hangs, pressing ctrl+shift+alt simultaneously fixes the keyboard lock-up situation.

3.2.7 Mouse simulation

Its also possible to simulate mouse movement and clicks with macro functions:

{#click(L)} Clicks Left mouse button once.

{#click(R)}Clicks Right mouse button once.

{#click(M)} Clicks Middle mouse button once.

{#mousexy(100,100)} Moves the mouse cursor into chosen X,Y position.

In this example, position is 100,100 pixels counted from left upper corner of screen.

3.2.8 Miscellaneous macros

{#ENV(%ANYVAR%)}

Returns the value of chosen environment variable. You can enter one or more variables to same function. You can try out for example %TEMP%, %USERNAME%, %OS%, %SYSTEMROOT%, %PROGRAMFILES%, %WINDIR% variables. Note that some of these variables are available only in Win2000 and later.

{#RND(1..1000000)}

Returns the random number between 0 and entered value.

{#INPUT(Caption)}

Ask from user the value that is pasted in here.

4 Tips and further information

4.1 Data backup

If you want to back up your personal phrases later on, just copy the file Myphrases.dta file to a safe place.

To back up only the chosen macros, you can Right Click the chosen Folder and choose Export. You can also use this feature to share phrases between workgroups; choose Import in another machine to load the phrase and use it.

It is strongly recommended that you back up your phrase file and also keep copies of the actual phrase texts themselves to avoid losing important data.

4.2 System requirements

Windows 95/98/98SE/ME/NT4/2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008/Windows 7
Less than 1 MB hard disk space for the program
USB Stick supported

4.3 Shared Folders / local area network use

This software can be used to share folders/phrases between several users. Each workstation must have a license.
One person can publish part of the phrases to others by choosing Share this folder with others -option. The UNC path can be used for storing the PHX file to file server. PHX file is kept updated automatically and is read-only for other users.

Other users can choose CONNECT TO A SHARED FOLDER and they will see the phrases/folders stored in this PHX file. If they like to edit phrase, they will choose NO SHARING and phrases are copied to their personal phrase file.
It is also possible to connect to a shared CSV file (CSV file can be exported by right clicking and choosing Export).

4.4 Known issues and technical support

When you select a phrase from the phrase menu your clipboard content may lost. To avoid this, you can enable the setting "Backup clipboard content during quick paste" on the Settings tab.
QuickPhrase does not support Command Prompt.
If phrase file is corrupted, there is a recovery mode available by adding Repairmode=1 to QP.INI file with Notepad
Warning: You may define an infinite loop by accident if you, for example, define F1 to be a hot key for a macro that includes {F1}. To cancel such a loop, please press Control+Alt+Del to stop QuickPhrase.

If you have questions about QuickPhrase, please visit our website for further information and technical support contact forms.

TypingMaster QuickPhrase User Manual

Contents

1 Introduction

No more repetitive typing!