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Text Shortcuts allows users to create abbreviations for frequently used terms and sentences. When the abbreviation is typed, Gentu will automatically expand this to display the full phrase. This could be anything from a word or two, up to full paragraphs of information. All shortcuts created are specific to the user who added them.
In the feature's initial release on August 24, 2020, Text Shortcuts are available only for Consult Notes.
You can create a new shortcut from within a consult note new consult note.
- Open a new patient consult.
- Place your cursor in any of the text boxes. You will notice an option for Text Expander is active. Configure beneath the active text box.
- Selecting Configure will open the Text Shortcut Preferences window.
- Select the ADD SHORTCUT button to create a new shortcut.
- Enter the abbreviation and the phrase that will populate when the abbreviation is used.
- Select the SAVE button.
You can now use your text shortcut anywhere in your consult notes.
Editing & Deleting Text Shortcuts
If you find that you need to change or remove a text shortcut, you can select the Configure option within a consult note to view all shortcuts.
From the list of shortcuts, you can click on an existing entry. This will allow you to make changes to the entry, such as changing an abbreviation or adding to a phrase.
If you find there are shortcuts that are no longer required at all, you can select them from the list, then choose the DELETE button to remove them completely.
> What should I use for an abbreviation?
Your abbreviation should be something short for the sake of convenience. This shouldn't be something that you are likely to enter by mistake. For example, entering a shortcut of test might be intended to populate the tests you would commonly perform, but you might also need to use the word test independently throughout your consults.
> Is there a minimum or maximum character limit?
Your abbreviation needs to be at least two characters, but there are otherwise no limits on the length of the abbreviation or phrase.
> Are there characters I cannot use?
The abbreviation can only be letters and numbers - no special characters. You can use any characters within the phrase.
> Are abbreviations case sensitive?
Abbreviations are case sensitive. If you create an abbreviation in capital letters, it will need to be typed in capital letters in order for it to expand on a consult note.
> Do abbreviations work within words?
Abbreviations are only expanded if they are entered independent of other characters. For example, an abbreviation of ADD might be used for Attention Deficit Disorder, but this will not expand if used in the word ADDITIONAL.
> When does an abbreviation expand into a phrase?
When you use an abbreviation independent of other characters, it will expand when final digit is entered with a space following.
> Can I undo an expansion?
A text expansion cannot be undone. You would need to manually remove the expanded text from your consult note.