TextExpander

Free Trial.  Although TextExpander has three pricing tiers, they offer a relatively generous “test-drive” of the product with a free 30-day trial.

Searchable Snippets.  It can, at times, be hard to keep track of the shortcut keys you create in TextExpander. Which is why the in-line search function is so helpful. Provided that you name your Snippets something memorable or relevant, you can simply press Ctrl+/ ( or Cmd+/ for Mac), and you will be prompted to search your Snippets.

Shareable.  Once you have created a Snippet, TextExpander makes it easy for you to share that shortcut with anyone else who uses the platform. This could be helpful if you have other attorneys you share an office with and you want to give them access to some of your more robust templates. Additionally, if you opt for the Teams or Enterprise versions, you can control access to particular Snippets, share among particular groups, and even specify who is allowed to make changes to your team’s Snippets.

Fill-ins.  With TextExpander’s Fill-ins, your office can create Snippets that allow information to be input after the Snippet is used. All you have to do is create the Snippet with the form fields already put into their places. You can use an open text form field, drop-down menus, check-boxes, and even create optional long-form sections that can be turned on or off based on the particular needs of the moment. In our view, this is the feature that could be utilized most by attorneys.

Cross-platform & Cross-device.  Most shortcut and template features on the market are built directly into a piece of software and must be used within that application. For example, it is relatively simple to create email response templates in Gmail or Outlook. However, those templates cannot be used in an MS Word document or in a text message sent from your phone. With TextExpander, you can create shortcuts that can be used within your browser, in your document creation software, and even in your instant messaging service. Additionally, if you have TextExpander installed on your device, you can use it inside the apps on your phone – including text messaging.

Who TextExpander is For

TextExpander is for any attorney (or law firm) looking to increase their efficiency by creating shortcuts for their often-typed content. Attorneys who specifically like to control the format and tone of all correspondence and documents that leave their offices will find sharing snippets through the Teams feature to be extra helpful. If you already have a well-built template system, and comprehensive auto-replies, it may not be worth the extra monthly expense.