Smile has released TextExpander 4 (http://www.smilesoftware.com/TextExpander/), a new version of the typing shortcut tool for Mac OS X Lion. The upgrade features new options for “fill-in-the-blank” snippets.
These fill-in snippets make it possible to create a form letter template that can be personalized with names, dates, and other info when the snippet is expanded. Fill-in snippets have many other time-saving uses, such as inserting custom links or creating HTML tags with variable attributes, according to the folks at Smile.
In addition to single-line fill-in fields, TextExpander now has fill-ins for multi-line text fields, pop-up menus for multiple choices, and optional text blocks that can be added as needed when expanding the snippet. Besides new fill-in types, TextExpander 4 features several enhancements designed to make it easier to use fill-ins in snippets.
New fill-in snippets are created with a simple popup interface. Text fields and pop-up menus can have default values. TextExpander snippets can be expanded while filling out the text fields.
TextExpander 4 costs US$34.95 for a single-user license, $44.95 for a family pack (up to five computers in one household) and $99.95 for an office page (up to five computers in one office). Upgrades from earlier versions are $15, though version 4 is a free upgrade to those who buy TextExpander after Jan. 15, 2012.
