How to Create Text Shortcuts in Chrome (3 Ways)

Chrome has no built-in text shortcut feature. To create text shortcuts in Chrome that work on any website, install a text expander such as SuperCommands, save a snippet and type c/ plus its name (for example c/sig) in any text field. If you only need 3 or 4 canned replies in Gmail, Gmail templates work without installing anything.

The same steps apply in Edge and Brave.

How do I save a reply with Gmail templates?

Turn on templates in Gmail settings, then save a draft as a template. It works only in Gmail on a computer.

1. In Gmail, click the gear icon, then See all settings.
2. On the Advanced tab, set Templates to Enable, then Save Changes.
3. Click Compose and write the reply.
4. Click More options (three dots), then Templates, Save draft as template, Save as new template.
5. To reuse it, open More options, then Templates, and pick it under Insert template.

There is no typed shortcut, and deleted templates cannot be recovered, per Google's help page.

Can macOS or Windows expand text in Chrome?

Partly. macOS Text Replacements are built in but unreliable in browser fields; Windows needs Microsoft's free PowerToys and a key combination.

macOS:

1. Choose Apple menu, then System Settings, then Keyboard.
2. Click Text Replacements, then Add.
3. Type the shortcut (@@) and replacement (your email), then Add and Done.

Apple's guide says replacements "aren't available in all apps," and they are plain text only.

Windows (PowerToys Keyboard Manager):

1. Open PowerToys Settings, then Keyboard Manager, then Remap a shortcut, then Add shortcut remapping.
2. Under Select, press a shortcut such as Ctrl + Alt + S (it must start with Ctrl, Shift, Alt or Win).
3. Under To send, choose Text and type your signature.
4. Optional: set Target app to chrome or msedge.

It works only while PowerToys is running, and key combinations get hard to remember past a handful.

How do I create text shortcuts for any website?

Save a Text Expander in SuperCommands and type c/ plus its name. It suits replies, intros and signatures you use on several sites, with formatting and fill-in names.

1. Install SuperCommands from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click Create, then Text Expander, and name it followup.
3. Write the text; add a variable such as {name} and set the cursor position.
4. Save it, ideally in a matching workspace such as "Sales". From any page you can also press Alt + S and run the Text Expander save command (c cs).
5. In Gmail, LinkedIn, Slack or WhatsApp Web, type c/followup. The saved text replaces it and you fill in {name}.

Other examples: c/intro for a LinkedIn note, c/standup for Slack, c/sig for a signature. For a snippet you use dozens of times a day, open Properties, then Assign Keyboard Shortcut, and press Alt + 1 (keyboard shortcuts docs).

Text Shortcuts can also open things: give a link collection the Text Shortcut work (letters and numbers only), then type c, Space, work in the address bar. See how to create keyboard shortcuts for any website.

Which one should you pick?

• Pick Gmail templates if you need 3 or 4 email replies and cannot install extensions.
• Pick macOS Text Replacements for short plain-text shortcuts like your email address.
• Pick PowerToys if you need text in Windows desktop apps too.
• Pick SuperCommands for formatted replies with fill-in names on every site; it is free and open source, and the local version is 100% free, forever. The Text Expanders docs cover each option, and our text expander comparison lists desktop tools.

FAQ

Does Chrome have a built-in text expander?

No. Chrome autofills addresses and passwords but has no snippets. Use an extension, Gmail templates or OS text replacement.

How do I make a keyboard shortcut that types text on Windows?

Use PowerToys Keyboard Manager: Remap a shortcut, pick keys under Select, then choose Text under To send. PowerToys must be running.

Why don't Mac text replacements work in Chrome?

Apple says they aren't available in all apps, so some browser fields ignore them. A browser extension expands text inside web pages directly.

Do text shortcuts work in Edge and Brave?

Yes. SuperCommands supports Chrome, Edge and Brave, and the c/ syntax is the same in all three.