/ Setting Up Shortcut Keys

Setting Up Shortcut Keys

Can I allocate a key to reproduce my e-mail address whenever I push it? Celeste Stewart

As my e-mail address is exceeding long, I like this idea as it could avoid mistakes as well as save a lot of typing time in the long run. Let’s see what we can figure out.

Using Microsoft Word to Create a Shortcut

If you use Microsoft Word, you can use its AutoCorrect feature to quickly type your e-mail address. For example, you can instruct Word to replace any combination of letters (such as “em”) with your desired text (such as youremailaddress@emailaddress.com). Here’s how to do it in Word 2007:

Click the Office button and choose Word Options.
Click Proofing
Click AutoCorrect Options
Make sure that “Replace text as you type” is enabled
Enter the letters that you want to replace in the “Replace” field
Enter your e-mail address in the “With” field

Note: In Word 2003 and below, AutoCorrect is located under the Tools menu.

Try to choose a combination that isn’t something you would type normally. For example, “em” (for e-mail) might be fine as there’s no real word called “em” and AutoCorrect won’t replace “em” when it is part of a larger word such as “them.” However, if your company is called EM + C Squared Enterprises, then “em” wouldn’t be a good choice as every time you type your company name, your e-mail address would replace the “EM.”

Using Third Party Software

Another option is to use third party software such as AutoHotkey. This particular program allows you to expand abbreviations as you type, much like the AutoCorrect feature of Microsoft Word. The advantage here is that you don’t have to Launch Word every time you want to enter your e-mail address. The disadvantage is that you have to download, install, and learn a new program.

Using the Control Panel > Keyboard Icon

Depending on your keyboard, the Control Panel > Keyboard icon may have options available for customizing specific keys on your keyboard. Check to see if your Keyboard icon in the Control Panel has an option for configuring your keys. If your keyboard is configurable, this is probably your best bet. Unfortunately, not all keyboards support key customization, so it may not be an option.

If customizing the keyboard is not an option and you have Microsoft Word, try using AutoCorrect for now and then copying and pasting the e-mail address into other applications as needed. This may be good enough for your purposes. If not quite what you had in mind, try one of the third party keyboard mapping utilities such as AutoHotKey.