Shortcuts, Text Replacement, and Buttons

Computers are EXCELLENT at repetitive tasks. Depending on the complexity of the task and how often you perform, it might be easier and faster to automate the task or set it up with a button to activate.

Keyboard or Mouse Programmable Buttons

These are easiest to use and setup. Some keyboards or mice come with additional physical buttons and software to control them. The most obvious automation is adding an action to a button. For example(s), open website ABC when clicking program button 1…open blank/new email when clicking program button 2…open/start programs or installed application XYZ when clicking program button 3, etc…..

Some hardware options with programmable buttons are:

• Standard Keyboard with 5 programmable buttons — https://a.co/d/0jAjVma
• Standard Keyboard with 5 macro (multiple step) programmable buttons — https://a.co/d/cyR70Fx
• Ergonomic Keyboard with preloaded programmed buttons — https://a.co/d/51tEZys
• Ergonomic Keyboard with mix of preloaded and programmable buttons — https://a.co/d/9hx8m14
• Ergonomic Keyboard with 5 programmable buttons and preloaded — https://a.co/d/6aA7dYA

Some programs/applications on computer or smartphones allow you to set up a customize command to perform a series of tasks in a specific order. Excel is extremely effective at this. For tasks you frequently execute, it can save HOURS of time.

The most universal automation is text replacement. This is done by the operating system of a computer or smartphone. Both Apple and non-Apple hardware have these features. Give me a call if you need some help setting them up.

Example: If you have a typical statement(s) you make all the time that is long to type. You can set it up so you type something like 5 specific letters, and it replaces it. Very useful for something like: “We meet on XYZ date at ##:## AM. Here is the Zoom link, http://abc.xyz.com!” You type 5 letters and the entire sentence appears, including the URL.