# Snippets

> Save text once, from a one-line reply to a formatted invoice, and insert it anywhere with a shortcut.

A snippet is a piece of text you save once and insert whenever you need it. It can be as small as your phone number or as big as a fully formatted invoice. Snippets are what SimpleFill is built around: everything else, from Fields to Blocks, lives inside them.

## What a snippet is made of

| Part | What it’s for | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Name** | How you find it in menus, search, and suggestions | `Thanks for reaching out` |
| **Shortcut** | What you type to insert it (optional) | `thx`, typed as `;thx` |
| **Value** | What gets inserted | *Hi there, thanks for reaching out!…* |
| **Folder** | Where it’s filed (optional) | *Support* |

## Create a snippet

1. Open the dashboard and go to **Snippets**.
2. Enter a **Name**.
3. Enter a **Shortcut**, or leave it empty if you’ll only insert this snippet from menus and search.
4. Type the **Value**.
5. Turn on **Rich / Dynamic Value** if you want formatting, images, tables, [Fields](https://simplefill.app/docs/fields), [Smart Fields](https://simplefill.app/docs/smart-fields), or [Blocks](https://simplefill.app/docs/blocks).
6. Click **Add Snippet**.

![The Snippets page in the SimpleFill dashboard, with the form for a new snippet above a list of saved snippets filed in Work, Support, and Personal folders](https://simplefill.app/images/docs/dashboard-snippets.webp)

> [!TIP]
> A new snippet goes into the folder you’re viewing. If the filter above the list says **Work**, the snippet is filed in Work. Choose **All Snippets** to add it without a folder.

## Choose a good shortcut

Shortcuts are short names you type after the trigger, which is `;` unless you [change it](https://simplefill.app/docs/settings#shortcuts). A few rules:

- Use letters and numbers. Dots are allowed between words, so `addr.home` and `addr.work` are both fine.
- No spaces or hyphens. Space is what tells SimpleFill to expand the shortcut.
- Shortcuts aren’t case-sensitive: `;SIG` and `;sig` are the same.
- Each shortcut can belong to only one snippet or [AI action](https://simplefill.app/docs/ai-actions), and can’t reuse a built-in [Smart Field](https://simplefill.app/docs/smart-fields) shortcut such as `date` or `url`. SimpleFill tells you if a shortcut is taken.

Good shortcuts are short, memorable, and grouped by topic:

```
;sig        email signature
;addr       home address
;addr.work  office address
;thx        thank-you reply
;ooo        out-of-office reply
```

## Plain or rich

Every snippet is either plain text or rich.

**Plain text** is exactly what you type, line by line. It’s ideal for addresses, emails, IDs, and short replies. Plain snippets can still use a few dynamic pieces by typing them:

- `{{first-name}}` asks for a [Field](https://simplefill.app/docs/fields) called `first-name`.
- `{{date}}` or `{{page.title}}` fills in a [Smart Field](https://simplefill.app/docs/smart-fields).
- `@address` inserts the [Block](https://simplefill.app/docs/blocks) called `address`.

**Rich** snippets use the [rich text editor](https://simplefill.app/docs/rich-text-editor). You get headings, bold and italic, colors, links, images, tables, and cards. Insert dynamic pieces as *pills*: type `{{` for Fields and Smart Fields, or `@` for Blocks.

When you insert a rich snippet into a rich editor like Gmail, Notion, or Google Docs, the formatting comes with it. In a plain text box, such as a form field, it goes in as plain text.

> [!WARNING]
> Turning **Rich / Dynamic Value** off on a snippet with pills turns them into plain text and removes their settings. SimpleFill asks you to confirm first.

## Insert a snippet

Every snippet can be inserted four ways:

| How | What you do |
| --- | --- |
| [Shortcut](https://simplefill.app/docs/shortcut-expansion) | Type `;` and the shortcut, then press Space |
| [Auto-suggestions](https://simplefill.app/docs/auto-suggestions) | Start typing in an input box and pick the snippet from the dropdown |
| [Quick Access](https://simplefill.app/docs/quick-access) | Press `⌘ Shift Space` (Mac) or `Ctrl Shift Space`, search, press Enter |
| [Right-click menu](https://simplefill.app/docs/right-click-menu) | Right-click a text box, then **SimpleFill** > the snippet |

If the snippet has Fields, a window opens so you can fill them in before it goes in.

## Organize and manage snippets

- **Search**: The search box above the list matches names and values. Press `⌘ K` or `Ctrl K` to jump to it.
- **Filter by folder**: Use the menu next to the search box.
- **Reorder**: Drag a snippet by its handle. The order here is the order in the right-click menu.
- **Move to a folder**: Use the folder menu on the snippet’s row.
- **Edit or delete**: Use the pencil and trash buttons. Deleting asks you to click twice, so nothing goes by accident.

The **⋯** menu on each row has two more options:

- **Export as PDF**: Opens your browser’s print dialog with the snippet laid out on the page. Choose **Save as PDF**. Handy for invoices and letters.
- **Export as marketplace package**: Saves a rich snippet as a package file, the format the [marketplace](https://simplefill.app/docs/marketplace) uses.

## Use transforms on a typed shortcut

For plain-text snippets, you can reshape the value as you type it by adding a [Transform](https://simplefill.app/docs/transforms) after a `|`:

```
;em|uppercase     →  ALEX@NORTHWIND.COM
```

This works with plain snippets and Smart Fields. For rich snippets, add transforms to the pills inside them instead.

## Examples

**A personal details set.** Save `;first`, `;last`, `;em`, `;phone`, and `;addr` in a *Personal* folder. Sign-up forms take seconds, and [Quick Access](https://simplefill.app/docs/quick-access) can even combine them, offering your full name in a single *Name* box.

**A support reply library.** Keep a *Support* folder of rich replies: `;refund`, `;shipping`, `;reset`. Each one greets the customer by name with a [Field](https://simplefill.app/docs/fields) and ends with your signature [Block](https://simplefill.app/docs/blocks).

**An invoice.** A rich snippet with a table, your logo, Fields for the client and amount, and a [calculation](https://simplefill.app/docs/calculations) for the total. Insert it into an email, or export it as a PDF.

## Limits

The Free plan includes 5 snippets, Standard 50, and Pro unlimited. See [Plans and licenses](https://simplefill.app/docs/plans).

Source: https://simplefill.app/docs/snippets