How to import your snippets from another text expander
The real cost of switching expanders is not the software, it is the library you have built up. FlashType imports directly from Text Blaze, Magical and TextExpander exports, so moving does not mean starting from an empty list.
Takes about 10 min
What you need
- An export file from Text Blaze, Magical or TextExpander
- Access to your existing tool for long enough to produce that export
Steps
Export your library from your current tool
Do this before you uninstall anything — you want the file in hand first.
Open the import option in FlashType
Import handles Text Blaze, Magical and TextExpander export formats.
Select your export file
Your existing snippets and shortcuts are read from the file.
Review what came across
Check the snippets you rely on most, especially any using dynamic or conditional syntax.
Fix up anything that needs it
Advanced syntax differs between tools, so re-check complex snippets rather than assuming they transferred perfectly.
Keep the old export file
Hold on to it until you are confident nothing is missing.
Worth knowing
- Plain text and simple placeholder snippets move across most cleanly. Heavily scripted or conditional snippets are the ones to inspect by hand.
- Keep your original export file until you have used the imported library for a week. It is the cheapest possible insurance.
- Import direction is one way: this brings snippets into FlashType, it does not keep the two tools in sync.
Questions
Which tools can FlashType import from?
Text Blaze, Magical and TextExpander exports are supported directly.
Will complicated snippets survive the import?
Simple text and placeholder snippets transfer cleanly. Advanced or conditional syntax varies between tools, so review your most complex snippets after importing rather than assuming they came across intact.