Autocorrect spelling mistakes

If you type assessement, diabtes, or accordingto and have to fix it every time, autocorrects handle that silently. You type the trigger, PhraseExpander recognizes it, and the corrected text is inserted automatically - in your EHR, Word, email, or any other Windows application.

Use autocorrect for typos, missing spaces, short substitutions, and special characters. Use templates for longer text, formatting, variables, fill-in fields, macros, or anything you want to insert deliberately.

Each autocorrect is a pair:

Other common medical examples: 

• htn → hypertension
• sob → shortness of breath
• diabtes → diabetes

You can map several misspellings to one correction in a single entry by separating them with |.

For example: 

assessement|assesment|assesement → assessment

This saves you from creating a separate row for each variant.

How triggering works

Most autocorrects run at the end of a word. PhraseExpander waits until you type a trailing delimiter, such as Space, punctuation, or Enter.

Example:

1. Type accordingto
2. Press SPACE
3. PhraseExpander replaces it with according to

This word-boundary behavior avoids partial corrections while you are still typing. You can edit the trailing delimiters in File > Options > Suggestions, but the defaults are usually best.

How insertion works

Autocorrects are inserted by simulated keystrokes: PhraseExpander removes the trigger and types the correction into the active application.

That makes autocorrects fast and natural for short corrections, but unsuitable for long or formatted content. If the replacement grows beyond a small plain-text correction, convert it to a template.

Install predefined libraries

PhraseExpander includes predefined autocorrect libraries for common misspellings in English and other languages.

1. Open PhraseExpander.
2. Go to Home.
3. Click Download free autocorrects.
4. Download the glossaries you want.

After installing a library, review any correction that does not fit your terminology. You can edit the entry, delete it, disable the glossary, or override it from a higher-priority personal glossary.

Create a custom autocorrect

1. Open the Autocorrects view.
2. Select the glossary where the entry should live.
3. Click New Autocorrect or click into the grid.
4. Fill in Misspelled text and Correct.
5. Press Enter to save.
6. Test it by typing the trigger followed by Space.

The Misspelled text field can be up to 30 characters. The Correct field is plain text; use SHIFT+ENTER to insert a line break.

Add an autocorrect while typing

To add an autocorrect without opening the main PhraseExpander window:

1. Select the misspelled text.
2. Press CTRL+SHIFT+Q.
3. Enter the corrected text.
4. Press Enter.

If the entry already exists, PhraseExpander can prompt you to edit the existing one.

Use Inside word carefully

Inside word makes an autocorrect trigger immediately after the final character of the trigger is typed, even inside another word. It does not wait for Space or punctuation.

This is useful for special characters and distinctive short sequences. It is risky for ordinary letter combinations because they can fire inside longer words.

When to convert an autocorrect to a template

Autocorrects work best for short, plain-text corrections. If yours has outgrown that, convert it to a template. Typical signs:

• The replacement is longer than a single sentence or two.
• You need formatting - bold, bullets, or tables.
• The wording should vary based on patient gender, context, or other inputs.
• You want a fill-in prompt or optional sections.

How to convert:

1. In the Autocorrects view, right-click on the items you want to convert.
2. Choose Move to and select a Template glossary.
3. The selected items will be converted to templates.

Disable or manage unwanted corrections

If PhraseExpander changes text you wanted to leave alone, see Disabling unwanted autocorrects.

Autocorrect or Template?

Best practices

• Keep autocorrects short and plain text only.
• Store personal entries in a separate glossary from downloaded libraries so you can update each independently.
• Choose triggers that won't appear by accident inside other words.
• Use Inside word only for safe, distinctive sequences.
• Move anything longer or formatted into a template.