Sometimes you may come across a situation where you need to keep typing the same message over and over again like when you’re replying to customer emails. Most people would save different messages in a text editor like Notepad and use copy and paste to avoid having to retype their messages. However, there’s an even easier way using a Windows program called AutoHotKey. With AutoHotKey, you won’t have to switch windows and copy and paste text. You can create a simple script in a text file and assign it to a certain key and when you click on the key (or combination of keys), the text you saved will be written to where your cursor is (in a text area). Here’s an example script in a file called AutoHotKey.ahk in my Documents folder:
#F1::
Send Thank you for your order. {Enter} Please reply indicating which two kites colors you want. We have blue kites, red kites, and purple kites.
return
Now, if you have your cursor in a text area like an email message field and you hold down the Windows key and click the F1 key, the message
Thank you for your order.
Please reply indicating which two kites colors you want. We have blue kites, red kites, and purple kites.
will be written for you (without the italics). The {Enter} command tells the script to enter a new line.
With AutoHotKey, you can automate many other things as well including opening programs like a browser with a predetermined URL.
You can download AutoHotKey at http://www.autohotkey.com/.