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Here's a way to use autocorrect that you might not have considered before

Cause it’s a pain to type out long terms like your email repeatedly.

MANY OF US use autocorrect as a way to make up for when our quick typing doesn’t quite spell out words the right way.

Yet you might only think of it in that way, there’s another useful way to take advantage of it.

There are many times where you will write words or terms that don’t really exist in the dictionary. Things like emails, signatures (when you have to fill out your full name) and other little details that crop up time and time again.

So it’s time to dust off the personal dictionary found in settings and create your own shortcuts. The key is to keep them short and stick to letters (we had problems putting together shortcuts using symbols.

So for example, if you wanted to put down your email quickly, you could give it the shortcut ‘dfg’ since the likelihood of you ever needing that combination of letters is very slim. Since it will recognise that combination, it will autocorrect it to your email.

Screenshot_20150910-181912

There aren’t many words or details that would require you to create shortcuts but since they’re pretty monotonous at the best of times, a shortcut takes a little bit of the pain away.

The caveat is that your personal dictionary only works with the standard keyboard. If you’re using a third-party keyboard like Swipe or Swiftkey, then you would have to use its own dictionary (if it gives you access to one that is).

Read: Why tab is probably the most underrated key on your keyboard

Read: Here’s how to charge your phone properly

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6 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Goldberg
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    May 10th 2014, 4:54 PM

    There is something about writing that creates a more personal connection – bit like reading a book on paper rather than kindle

    53
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    Mute Mal
    Favourite Mal
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    May 10th 2014, 10:06 PM

    I agree with you 100% with the whole writing vs typing thing. But paper vs Kindle?? I really can’t see the difference, except with technical books where the pages are generally bigger than a kindle page. But for casual reading, novels and the like Kindle is great. Screens in general on the other hand are terrible IMO. If I need to read something in depth I’ll print it out rather than read it on a screen.

    8
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    Mute Tony
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    May 10th 2014, 5:02 PM

    Always did hand written notes first.

    39
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    Mute Jimbo
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    May 10th 2014, 4:59 PM

    I’ve barely written anything with a pen since I got my first PC in 1992. My hand writing looks like that of a 12 year old.

    31
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    Mute Bob Goodbear
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    May 11th 2014, 1:41 AM

    Mine too! I scribble notes a lot and use my own short hand when typing notes. Not sure half the time what I wrote let alone typed :)

    1
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    Mute Cannabis Freedom
    Favourite Cannabis Freedom
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    May 10th 2014, 5:04 PM

    I work in marketing and I’ve always found that writing ideas down and doodling in general is a great way to stimulate creativity and not just from a work point of view, you can apply it to almost anything that you have going on in your life.

    27
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    Mute Dylan
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    May 10th 2014, 4:40 PM

    They’ve essentially just encouraged people to use Comic Sans MS more, the end is nigh.

    24
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    Mute Clar Ni Threinfhir
    Favourite Clar Ni Threinfhir
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    May 10th 2014, 7:03 PM

    Comic sans is easier to read. It has more highs and lows like handwriting. It’s easier for people with dyslexia to read.

    11
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    Mute Archtographer
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    May 10th 2014, 6:37 PM

    I literally just took a break from converting my written college notes to typed, thanks Journal for ruining my life… ;)

    22
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    Mute Daniel Dudek Corrigan
    Favourite Daniel Dudek Corrigan
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    May 10th 2014, 4:45 PM

    While I can see reasoning the problem is that if I write my notes I can’t read them back later…

    Not a problem with typing: I can read, search, share, format, edit…

    10
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    Mute Mal
    Favourite Mal
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    May 10th 2014, 10:14 PM

    I write to a notebook when taking notes, then type them up later. best of both! :-D

    3
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    Mute Clar Ni Threinfhir
    Favourite Clar Ni Threinfhir
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    May 10th 2014, 7:02 PM

    What’s new about any of this?

    2
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