palmerpsy
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: How do I make text boilerplate/macros/insertions into TextEdit documents?

How do I make text "boilerplate" insertions stored for the purpose into TextEdit documents?  For instance, if I want to store the phrase "Plan will be to calculate the standard fees and present at next meeting" and then insert it in the text;  and there are others I want to include. Trying to de-cipher instructions in "Help"  confusing, and trying to use "Styles" in Format confusing, did not work. Is there a "TextEdit Manual" or "Instruction book" for us unimaginative types?  Thanks.

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), White 13" 2010 model

Posted on Feb 28, 2014 11:06 AM

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palmerpsy

Q: How do I make text boilerplate/macros/insertions into TextEdit documents?

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  • by K Shaffer,Helpful

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Feb 28, 2014 1:39 PM in response to palmerpsy
    Level 6 (14,567 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 28, 2014 1:39 PM in response to palmerpsy

    You may have to try another text application if no apparent shortcuts or scripts to semi-automate seem workable in TextEdit; a different approach may be TextWrangler, or others that have seen transition to the current OS X version. Other great third-party applications did not survive to make the transition further into OS X.

     

    There is this TextEdit tidbit, that ultimately suggests

    using the system's Help viewer to learn more...

     

    •Mac Basics: TextEdit

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2523

     

    •Mac OS X: How to set up TextEdit as HTML or Plain Text Editor:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ta20406

     

    AppleScript editor is a way of making automated repeatable commands available with shortcuts. There also is Automator workflows, in the OS X. These can be used to perform a variety of tasks.

     

    •Automator for Mac OS X: Tutorial and examples:

    http://www.raywenderlich.com/58986/automator-for-mac-tutorial-and-examples

     

    Sometimes you can find third-party tutorials online, where some apple user group or school has uploaded or put their concept on a web site. However an older TextEdit premise from several OS X systems ago, may not work the same in the recent OS X. With those dated concepts, one can only test them to see if they are still valid. And there is X Code... tons of learning among the choices built into the Mac OS X, too.

     

    http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Computer_Programming/MacOS_Programming

     

    My trouble is that I've been too imaginative, took a scientist to explain algebra

    and only then could I pass it with an A. But not for long, as it was a step down.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by palmerpsy,

    palmerpsy palmerpsy Feb 28, 2014 6:25 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Feb 28, 2014 6:25 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks for these suggestions.  Dipped into Automator and as usual thrown by Applescript.  I am still interested in further suggestions from Wherever.

    (Met a nice retired medical couple named Beck in Yellowstone from Bear Lake area last week: small world?....)

    RRPalmer