Does a Mac have a built-in text expander?

Yes, Text Replacements in System Settings > Keyboard. It swaps abbreviations for phrases as you type.

Why doesn't Text Replacement work in some apps?

Apple says it isn't available in all apps, and some web editors handle typing themselves. Turning on Edit > Substitutions > Text Replacement helps where the app has it.

Can a snippet insert today's date?

Not with Text Replacements. In Notchet, {date}, {time} and {day} are filled in when the snippet pastes.

Is Notchet a text expander?

No. You pick a snippet from its list instead of typing an abbreviation, and it pastes into the app you were using.

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Mac guide

How to save and paste reusable text snippets on a Mac

By Aqib Javed · Updated Oct 22, 2026

The Mac's built-in option is Text Replacements in System Settings > Keyboard: type a short abbreviation and macOS swaps in the full phrase, synced through iCloud. Apple notes it isn't available in all apps, and it can't fill in today's date or something you just copied. If you'd rather pick a snippet than remember abbreviations, Notchet keeps snippets that paste where you were typing, with {date}, {time}, {day} and {clipboard} filled in.

Set up Text Replacements

Open System Settings > Keyboard and click Text Replacements….
Click +, type the abbreviation under Replace (for example ;addr) and the full text under With.
Type the abbreviation followed by a space in an app, and macOS replaces it. In some apps, Edit > Substitutions > Text Replacement has to be on.

Where it falls short

You have to remember every abbreviation.
It isn't available in all apps; web editors and some browsers ignore it.
The text is fixed: no date, time or copied name filled in.
It's text only: no pictures or files.

Snippets in Notchet

Press Option Command V to open Notchet and click the Snippets chip.
Click New Snippet, type the text, and add placeholders where you want them: {date}, {time}, {day} or {clipboard}. Give it a name.
Or right-click any card in your history and choose Save as Snippet. Pictures and files can be snippets too.
To paste, open Notchet, pick the snippet and press Return. The placeholders are filled in as it pastes.

Snippets never expire with your history, and collections like Email replies keep related ones together.

Questions

Does a Mac have a built-in text expander?: Yes, Text Replacements in System Settings > Keyboard. It swaps abbreviations for phrases as you type.
Why doesn't Text Replacement work in some apps?: Apple says it isn't available in all apps, and some web editors handle typing themselves. Turning on Edit > Substitutions > Text Replacement helps where the app has it.
Can a snippet insert today's date?: Not with Text Replacements. In Notchet, {date}, {time} and {day} are filled in when the snippet pastes.
Is Notchet a text expander?: No. You pick a snippet from its list instead of typing an abbreviation, and it pastes into the app you were using.