On this page we’ll look at how to automatically sync your TypeIt4Me data via iCloud so you don’t have to manually copy it between devices. You’ll also learn how to import pre-saved TypeIt4Me snippet libraries (either your own sets created in a previous version, or sets sent to you by other TypeIt4Me users.) Finally, we’ll show you how to access your snippet set data files in Finder and how to import data created in other text expanders.
By default, TypeIt4Me saves your snippet data locally on your Mac and doesn’t upload it anywhere. However, if you want it to, it can also save your snippets in iCloud and keep them in sync across multiple devices. This can be a very useful option if:
or:
You’ll then be able to save snippet set(s) in your iCloud account (i.e. on Apple’s servers). Those sets will appear on every computer you use that is signed in to the same Apple account, as long as iCloud sync is enabled in TypeIt4Me on each Mac. Changes and additions you make in TypeIt4Me on one machine will automatically sync to your other computer(s).
You’ll then be able to save snippet set(s) in your iCloud account (i.e. on Apple’s servers). Those sets will appear on every computer you use that is signed in to the same Apple account, as long as iCloud sync is enabled in TypeIt4Me on each Mac. Changes and additions you make in TypeIt4Me on one machine will automatically sync to your other computer(s).
Once moved, your snippets will appear under “Sets in iCloud” in TypeIt4Me on your other Mac(s) and in TypeIt4Me Touch on your iPhone(s) and / or iPad(s). If they don’t appear within a few minutes, make sure you are logged in to the same Apple account and that the iCloud option is turned on.
TypeIt4Me snippet sets are stored inside the app’s container, as files that end with a .typeit4me extension. If you want to get to the files to make copies or send them to someone else to use, do the following:
That will open the container directory in a new Finder window, with the selected TypeIt4Me set file highlighted. You can then make backup copies for safekeeping or transfer it to another Mac. You can also send a .typeit4me file to a friend, family member or co-worker. They can drag it into TypeIt4Me on their computer and use the snippets it contains.
TypeIt4Me can import snippet sets that you created in previous versions of the app. It can also import snippet set files that friends, family or co-workers who use TypeIt4Me may share with you. Additionally, in some cases it may be possible to import data that was perhaps created in other text expansion utilities.
If you have an existing .typeit4me file you want to use, these are easy to import. You can just drag your file(s) straight into the TypeIt4Me sidebar. The app will take care of the rest, copying it into your library.
Some files originally created in older versions of TypeIt4Me may contain snippets that are no longer compatible. These will require tweaking. Specifically, there are two types of snippet that can fall into this category:
Should you find that dynamic dates in your snippets don’t work the way they used to, you might need to update them. Fortunately, fixing them is quite straightforward. You can edit them to remove old strftime date syntax, then use the toolbar buttons to insert fresh dates and times.
Execution of AppleScripts is no longer supported in TypeIt4Me 7, because the app is now sandboxed to comply with Apple’s security requirements.
TypeIt4Me won’t be able to directly import snippets created by other text expanders. Competing text expansion utilities tend to store snippets in proprietary formats that make it difficult to port data to other apps.
Fortunately, though, some apps allow you to export your data to a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file and TypeIt4Me can import those. Just make sure that the CSV file contains only 2 columns, with abbreviations in the first column and corresponding snippet content in the second column.
Once you have a file saved in a suitable CSV format, these are easy to import. As with .typeit4me files, you can drag your file straight into the TypeIt4Me sidebar. The app will take care of the rest, placing a converted copy into your library.
