# Shortcut expansion

> Type a snippet’s shortcut in any text box and SimpleFill replaces it with the snippet.

Shortcut expansion is the fastest way to use SimpleFill. Type the trigger, a short shortcut, and a space, and SimpleFill swaps it for the full text.

```
;sig␣  →  your full email signature
```

## How it works

1. Click in any text box.
2. Type the **trigger**, `;` by default.
3. Type the shortcut, like `sig`.
4. Press **Space**.

SimpleFill replaces `;sig` with the snippet. The space you pressed is used up by the expansion, so you don’t end up with an extra one.

A shortcut expands only at the start of the text or right after a space or new line. Typing `;sig` in the middle of a word, like `abc;sig`, does nothing.

## What you can expand

The same `;` works for everything with a shortcut:

| What | Example | Result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A [snippet](https://simplefill.app/docs/snippets) | `;addr` | Your address |
| A [Smart Field](https://simplefill.app/docs/smart-fields) | `;date` | Today’s date |
| An [add-on](https://simplefill.app/docs/add-ons) Smart Field | `;gh.pr` | The GitHub pull request you’re on |
| An [AI action](https://simplefill.app/docs/ai-actions) | `;fix` | Fixes the text in the box |
| A value with [Transforms](https://simplefill.app/docs/transforms) | `;title\|slugify` | The page title as a slug |

## The shortcut dropdown

As soon as you type the trigger and a letter, a dropdown lists the snippets, Smart Fields, and AI actions that match, by shortcut or name. It’s a handy reminder when you can’t quite remember a shortcut.

- The best match comes first: a shortcut you’ve typed exactly, then shortcuts that start with what you typed, then names that contain it. Type `;date`, and Current Date is at the top.
- Use the **Up** and **Down** arrows to choose, then **Enter**.
- Keep typing to narrow the list, or press Space to expand what you’ve typed.
- After a `|`, the dropdown lists the [Transforms](https://simplefill.app/docs/transforms) you can add instead.
- A description too long to fit scrolls slowly on the row you’ve chosen or are pointing at, unless your system is set to reduce motion.
- The dropdown opens below the text you’re typing, or above it when you’re near the bottom of the window.
- Close the dropdown, and it stays closed for that box until you reload the page. Shortcuts still expand.

Turn it off with **Show shortcut dropdown** in [Settings](https://simplefill.app/docs/settings#shortcuts).

## Change the trigger

The trigger is `;` unless you change it in **Settings** > **Shortcuts** > **Shortcut trigger token**. Pick something you’d never type by accident. Good choices are `;`, `;;`, and `::`.

A few characters can’t be used:

- A single `:`, which starts [emoji shortcodes](https://simplefill.app/docs/emoji-shortcodes)
- `.`, because shortcuts can contain dots
- `|`, because it separates Transforms
- Letters, numbers, and spaces

## Where it works

Shortcuts work in ordinary text boxes and text areas, rich editors like Gmail, Notion, Slack, and LinkedIn, editors embedded in other apps, and Google Docs.

To turn shortcuts off everywhere, switch off **Enable shortcuts** in Settings. To turn them off only on certain sites, pages, or fields, add a [site rule](https://simplefill.app/docs/site-rules).

> [!TIP]
> Snippets that have [Fields](https://simplefill.app/docs/fields) open a small window first, so you can fill in the blanks before the text goes in.

Source: https://simplefill.app/docs/shortcut-expansion