Explore the efficiency of Text Macros and Autocorrect in InCopy, which can save time and improve accuracy when dealing with repetitive text or common misspellings. Learn the steps to create a new Text Macro and set up autocorrect preferences to suit your unique requirements.
Key Insights
- Text Macros in InCopy are useful for automatically replacing frequently typed pieces of text with larger sections. For example, typing 'mgh' could automatically be replaced with 'McGraw-Hill'.
- Creating a new Text Macro involves opening the Text Macro panel, selecting the text to be replaced (if applicable), and defining the Macro Code (short text) and Macro Text (replacement text).
- Once a Text Macro is set up, using it is as simple as typing the chosen abbreviated text followed by a space.
- The Autocorrect feature in InCopy automatically corrects common spelling mistakes. It is turned on by default.
- Autocorrect can be customized by adding specific misspelled words and their corrections, which can be useful for frequently typed terms or phrases.
- Customizing the Autocorrect feature involves entering the Preferences setting, adding the misspelled word and its correction, and saving the changes.
This exercise is excerpted from past InCopy training materials and is compatible with InCopy updates through 2021. To learn current skills in Adobe Creative Cloud and graphic design, check out our graphic design classes in NYC and live online.
InCopy Workflow Basics
-
Editorial Separation
Editors write in InCopy while designers lay out in InDesign — at the same time.
-
Assignments
InDesign exports specific frames as InCopy assignments.
-
Check In/Out
Lock prevents simultaneous edits to the same content.
-
Live Updates
Changes flow back to InDesign automatically.
Text Macros & Autocorrect
Text macros are good for when you type the same pieces of text repetitively. They allow you to type a small amount of text and InCopy will replace it with the larger piece of text. For example, you can type just three letters, mgh and InCopy will turn it into McGraw-Hill.
Creating a New Text Macro
Open the Text Macro panel by going into Window > Text Macros.
This is an optional step, but if you see the text you’d like to turn into a Macro, go ahead and select it now.
Click the New Macro button
at the bottom of the panel.
-
Under Macro Code, type in the abbreviated text you’d like to type.
Under Macro Text, you’ll see any text that you had previously selected. If you had not previously selected text, you must enter the text you’d like the macro to insert.
Click OK.
Using the Text Macro
-
When typing text, just type in the abbreviated text you chose and a space.
For instance, if we type nd like we chose in the earlier example and then press the spacebar, InCopy will change it to Noble Desktop.
Autocorrect
This feature is similar to a Text Macro, but is meant to fix common misspellings. The feature is turned on by default, so when you make a common spelling mistake, it will be automatically corrected. For instance, when you type in achieve and hit the spacebar to continue to the next word, it will replace the misspelling with achieve.
While many words are already built-in, there may be certain things you frequently type in that you’d like to see autocorrected. To customize:
-
Go into:
Mac: InCopy > Preferences > Autocorrect Windows: Edit > Preferences > Autocorrect Click Add.
Enter the Misspelled Word as you commonly type it and then the Correction.
Click OK and then click OK again.
