Whether you’re filling out an application form or writing an email, chances are you will use the same details in all of these tasks. These details can include your name, address, phone number, etc., which are also used on your web accounts. You may find it tedious to type the same thing over and over again. If you’re a Mac user, you have an option to accelerate and make your typing as accurate as possible.
aText is an application for Mac that allows you to accelerate your typing using abbreviations. It expands the abbreviations that you’ve typed to their full forms, so you don’t have to write the whole word. Besides abbreviations, it helps you correct your grammar by placing quotes, commas, and other such things at their appropriate places.
Setting Up aText on your Mac
Head over to the aText website and download the aText .dmg file. aText costs $4.99, but you can download and try the free trial. Once downloaded, double-click on the file, and it will be mounted on your Mac. Double click on the aText app icon as shown in the below screenshot, and it will launch.
When it first launches, it will inform you that it needs accessibility support. Click on the “Open System Preferences” button as shown in the below screenshot. It will open the System Preferences panel on your Mac.
Once in there, click on the “Privacy” tab, and you should be able to see aText listed there. Click on it, and it will be enabled on your machine. Then, click the “Restart aText” button, and the app will re-launch.
The app is now all set and you can start using it right away.
Adding an Abbreviation
To add an abbreviation, click on “New” on the top and add a new entry.
Here’s where you can specify the abbreviation as well as the corresponding full text. Keep in mind that the abbreviations are case sensitive, so “MTE” and “mte” are two different things. Type in the short name or abbreviation in the first field, and then write down your full text in the large box below. Once you are done with that, you should be able to see it in the left side of the app window.
That was about creating a single abbreviation. The app allows you to create groups as well, so all of your short forms are in their appropriate categories.
The other great thing about the app is it allows syncing with Google Drive, iCloud, Sky Drive, and other such cloud storage services. So no matter where you are in the world, you can share your important documents with your colleagues.
Conclusion
If you’re a busy person and find it really frustrating to type the same thing again and again, give aText a try to see if it will be a lifesaver for you.
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Mahesh Makvana
Mahesh Makvana is a freelance tech writer who’s written thousands of posts about various tech topics on various sites. He specializes in writing about Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android tech posts. He’s been into the field for last eight years and hasn’t spent a single day without tinkering around his devices.
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