Are you using Autotext, too? Macros? Why not get a program like Shorthand for your

• Shortcuts - Long time MT
  • AutoCorrect - Mamakat
  • Are you using Autotext, too? Macros? Why not get a program like Shorthand for your - expansions. Love mine! nm

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu

I really don' t see all that much need to buy a ShortHand program, especially when you are just starting out and probably put out a lot of money already. Just click on your toolbar, click on autocorrect, and you will get a menu that you can use to add in your new expansions. 

if you would like to access this toolbar from your keyboard, you can create a macro that will do this.

Sub ATxtShow()
Dialogs(wdDialogToolsAutoCorrect).Show
End Sub

Paste this into your macro editor, and now record a "hot key" macro on whatever key(s) you would like to use.  I use alt-5, but you can use any alt or control key combination you have free.

I certainly hope this macro posts properly, I tried 3 times to post a macro that to count characters, and each time a quote mark was removed by the system, but I hope this will post properly.  I will follow up on this immediately after posting and make sure it is correct.

Terminology is so important here.  A macro is a function usually designed in the word processing program (Word, Word Perfect, etc.) and unless using the old DOS system, is usually used for making shortcuts for commands.  It can be used for documents, but is a little cumbersome to do it.

Expanders are just that.  They convert a series of Keystrokes into whatever has been defined for those keystrokes.  It can be a word, phrase, sentence, even a whole document.  But sometimes it can be a little slow if it is a long entry. 

The easiest and fastest way I have found to insert my "normals" or "canned dictations", even those I made myself in either Word or Word Perfect is to use an import function.  It is much easier to revise the normal, too, and easier to copy.  

In Word, establish the file location where documents will be stored.  I usually set mine to the name of the account I am working on (and change that data in the settings on Word - options/ file locations - when I change accounts.)   I store all my normals, whether created by the hospital or by me, in that file.  (By the way, I use a different shorthand dictionary for each account by using links.)   I give the document a logical name, and then create an import link in Shorthand.

So, my account is Onion Hospital.  My file location is set to C:onion.  My document is a physical by Dr. Celery, which I named as celerypx.    My Shorthand dictionary is onionhosp.

My command to retrieve this is: 

{@KEYDOWN Alt}il{@PAUSE}{@KEYUP Alt}celerypx.doc{@KEY Enter}

When Dr. Celery dictates his hp, I get to the physical and type celerypx and the document is imported instantly.

This is even more helpful with op reports, where you have rather routine dictations for things like cataracts, foot surgeries, etc., and need to change from left or right or bilateral. 

It is easier to copy the "normal" document and create one for each instance - left, right, or bilateral, that it is to pull up another command to search and replace the right, left, or bilateral, and change the verb tenses if it is bilateral. 

So, Dr. Corn does a lot of cataract extractions.  I have

corncatrt.doc

corncatlt.doc

corncatbil.doc (never heard of bilateral cataracts, but just an example).

My command in shorthand reflects each one.

{@KEYDOWN Alt}il{@PAUSE}{@KEYUP Alt}corncatrt.doc{@KEY Enter}

(It is also easier to see if I do have a canned report for a doctor in shorthand this way.  I just pull up shorthand (Ctrl F10) and type corn in the screen.  It will show me all the entries I have for Dr. Corn. 

I believe that Instant Text will work and it is an awesome program!  I have been using it for about 7 years, really helps production and more.

I am using the trial version of the ShortHand program from pcshorthand.com.   I have some long entries in there and it seems to take forever for it to go into my report.  I sit and watch each sentence come onto the screen.  Is there a better shorthand program?  Where it just instantly pastes the entire text "BAM" instantly without having to stop and wait?

Also, maybe it just does it like this because it is a trial version????

Thanks!!!

I have used with Word and Word Perfect.  I have used it with Meditech and Cerner.  I have used it with RadNet and StarNavigator for Radiology.  I can use it with my email applications and on the internet if I choose.  If the Expander is open and running, you can use it with any and every window program you use.

I was really simple to learn to use too.  Very user friendly.

Thank you for replying to my VR macro question on mtstars.  I was hoping someone like you with knowledge of Instant Text and VR work could help me out.  Could you give me an example of how you would set up a macro to change a period to a comma and uncap the next letter in Instant Text for example?  Do you think using macros and commands like this in Instant Text is more productive than creating them in Word? 

;yo = -year-old

;py= -pack-year

etc...

can someone tell me where I can download autotext software.  I understand it is free word expander.  I searched the internet and found rapid text and phrase something (cant remember).  Which is the better one or are they both the same.

Hi me - does this work only if you use Autotext? 

I am not a Medquist Transcriptionist but could you tell me to record a macro and then run the macro that you just made.  I used to work at home and used Instant Text.  I now work for a hospital and can't use that.  They totally rely on Word capabilities.  I do use the Auto Correct but I think if I could use a macro it might be better.  However, it is hard to remember the various macros or abbreviations.  I also have to contend that more than one person is using  my computer.  Linda

At Productivitytalk.com there is a forum for WP for Windows macros.  Hope this helps.