# How to Create Text Shortcuts in Chrome (3 Ways) Source: https://supercommands.com/blogs/how-to-create-text-shortcuts-in-chrome Author: Akshay A Updated: 2026-10-21 > How to create text shortcuts in Chrome: Gmail templates, macOS and Windows text replacement, and SuperCommands c/ snippets that work on any website. 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](https://support.google.com/mail/answer/14864208?hl=en). ## 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](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/replace-text-punctuation-documents-mac-mh35735/mac) 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](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/keyboard-manager) 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](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/supercommands/ebofbaomnlpjgnponhalmmihcgakodpj) 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](https://supercommands.com/docs/keyboard-shortcuts)). 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](https://supercommands.com/blogs/how-to-create-keyboard-shortcuts-for-any-website). > **Note:** `c/` does nothing on Chrome's own pages or the Chrome Web Store; test on a normal site. If `Alt + S` clashes with another extension, change it at `chrome://extensions/shortcuts`. ## 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](https://supercommands.com/docs/text-expanders) cover each option, and our [text expander comparison](https://supercommands.com/blogs/best-text-expander-extensions-chrome-edge-brave) 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.