Using text macros
Text macros are available in the Premium and Professional versions of Dragon NaturallySpeaking. A text macro is a customized command in which you program the software so that when you say one thing, it types something else. For example, when you say "my email address," instead of the words "my email address" the software types "John.Smith.4y89@gmail.com."
This function can be useful for hard-to-dictate items such as email addresses, passwords, and URLs. It is also handy for signatures, "canned" paragraphs (such as a closing paragraph), credit card numbers, and any other frequently used text.
Remember, that the software will insert the text exactly as you program it. If you set a macro to "my password," the software will type the programmed password. If you change your password at the website, Dragon will not know what the new password is and will continue to type the old password every time you give the command "my password." You will need to change the text macro as well.
You pick the command name when you program the macro. You then need to give the command exactly as you programmed it. If you choose "my password" as the command name then give the command "gmail password" the software will simply write the words "gmail password." It is helpful to keep a list of text macros that you created nearby so that you can confirm the exact wording that you have chosen.
Some examples of text macros:
- "Peggy’s Email" = firstname.lastname@email.com
- "Visa Card Number" = 1234 5678 1234 5678
- "Bank Sign in Page" = http://www.mybank.com
- "Bank password" = GiveMeMoney
To build a text macro
- On the Dragon Bar click tools: Add New Command
- This brings up the "MyCommands Editor"
- Type a name for the command in the MyCommand box
- Do not start the command with "go," "open," or other Dragon built-in command words.
- Make sure that "auto text" appears as the command type
- Click in the Content box. Type what you want the software to enter when you give the command.
- Click "Plain Text" — this will insert the text using the font style and size that is being used by the document. If you do not click this box, Dragon will insert the text using the font style and size that you used when typing in the content box.
- Click "save."
- The last step is always to test the macro. Open a document and give the command. Make sure that you don’t have any typos and that the result is what you expected.
To edit a text macro
- On the Dragon Bar click "Tools: Manage Custom Commands"
- This brings up the Manage Custom Commands box
- Click on the command you wish to edit so that it is highlighted in blue
- Click the edit buttonThis brings up the MyCommands Editor box
- Make changes — most often you will change the name or content
- Click the save button
- The last step is always to test the macro.