To use the text expander, enter a Snippet title, a Trigger shortcut such as /thanks and the Expanded text, then select Save snippet. Type the trigger into the Live expansion tester and the full text appears in the output box, with variables like {name} and {date} filled in. Select Copy output and paste it anywhere.
How to create text snippets with shortcuts
- Write the snippet. Fill in Snippet title, Trigger shortcut and Expanded text. Click a variable chip such as
{name}to insert it where the cursor is. - Save it. Select Save snippet. It appears in the Snippet library, where you can search, duplicate, disable or delete it.
- Fill in variables. Enter Name, Email and Company under Variable values. Date, time and day come from your device clock unless you set a Day override.
- Expand and copy. Type the trigger in the Live expansion tester. The expanded text appears instantly; select Copy output and paste it into your email, chat or form.
How this text expander works
A text expander swaps a short trigger for a longer block of text. Here, you build and store your snippets on the page and expand them in the Live expansion tester, then copy the result into wherever you're writing. It's a browser page, not an extension, so typing /thanks directly in Gmail or Slack won't expand anything by itself.
The tester has two modes:
- Exact trigger mode expands only when the whole tester box matches one enabled trigger. Use it for one snippet at a time.
- Replace inside text mode replaces every trigger it finds within a longer draft, so you can write Hi /client, /followup and expand both at once. Longer triggers are matched first, a trigger only matches when it isn't part of a longer word, and expanded text isn't scanned again.
Matching ignores case in both modes. Select Expand now to count a use in the Total expansions figure, which helps you see which snippets earn their place.
Using variables in text snippets
Variables let one snippet work for many people. Put a placeholder in the Expanded text and it's replaced when the snippet expands:
| Placeholder | Replaced with |
|---|---|
{name} | The Name field |
{email} | The Email field |
{company} | The Company field |
{date} | Today's date in your device's format |
{time} | The current time, hours and minutes |
{day} | Today's weekday, or the Day override if set |
A placeholder whose field is empty is left as it is, so you can spot what still needs filling. Only these six are supported; anything else in braces, such as {order}, stays as typed. Load quick values fills the fields with sample data for testing. If a snippet is headed for a length-limited field, such as an SMS or an X reply, paste the expanded text into the character counter to check it fits.
Choosing good text shortcuts
A good trigger is short, easy to remember and never appears in normal writing. Starting every trigger with the same symbol, such as / or ;, does all three. Compare /addr with addr: Replace inside text mode only matches whole triggers, so addr won't fire inside address, but it will replace the word addr every time you type it on its own.
- Group by purpose: /sig for signatures, ;ty for thank-you notes, /ship for shipping updates.
- Use the Tag / category field (Support, Sales, Email) so the library search finds related snippets.
- Each trigger must be unique. The tool refuses to save a duplicate, ignoring case.
Your library is kept in this browser's local storage, which isn't encrypted and is cleared with your site data. Select Export JSON now and then for a backup, and Import JSON to move snippets to another browser or computer.
Text expander Chrome alternative and built-in options
If you want snippets to expand as you type in every app, you need software that runs outside the web page. Several operating systems have it built in:
- Mac: Apple menu, System Settings, Keyboard, then Text Replacements. Add a shortcut and its replacement.
- iPhone and iPad: Settings, General, Keyboard, Text Replacement.
- Chrome and other browsers: text expander extensions add the same trigger-and-expand behavior inside web pages.
This page fills a different gap: it's free with no account and no extension permissions to read your pages, and it handles variables and long multi-paragraph snippets. Use it to draft and test a snippet library, then copy the text into a built-in tool or extension, or keep it open in a tab next to your inbox. For text you paste often without a trigger, the clipboard manager keeps a history of copied items.
What the AI snippet assistant does
The AI buttons are optional. Generate snippet writes a complete snippet (title, trigger, tag and text) from a short description, in the tone you pick: Professional, Friendly, Support, Sales, Formal, Shorter or Warmer. Rewrite content polishes the current Expanded text in that tone and keeps your placeholders. Suggest trigger proposes a short trigger that doesn't clash with ones you've saved, and Extract variables lists placeholders that would suit the text and adds any that are missing to the end of Expanded text, ready to move into place.
These buttons send your prompt or snippet text to ToolzyLab's server, where it's processed by an AI model, as explained in the AI usage policy. Don't include passwords or customer data. Requests time out after 30 seconds, and nothing is saved until you select Save snippet.
Frequently asked questions
Does this text expander work in Gmail or other websites?
Not directly. Snippets expand in the tester on this page, and you copy the result into Gmail or any other app. For automatic expansion everywhere, use your operating system's text replacement feature or a browser extension.
Where are my snippets stored?
In your browser's local storage on this device. They aren't uploaded or synced. Use Export JSON to back them up or move them.
Can I use variables like a name or date?
Yes. Six placeholders are supported: {name}, {email}, {company}, {date}, {time} and {day}. Name, email and company come from the Variable values fields; date, time and day come from your device clock.
Can I import snippets from another tool?
Yes, if you can export them as JSON. Import JSON accepts an array of snippets, or an object with a snippets array, where each item has a title, trigger and content.
Is the text expander free?
Yes, with no account. The AI buttons are free as well but limited to a few requests per minute.