For questions on the basic operation of Shorthand (e.g. how to move your word list to another computer), please see to the FAQ page.
Problem: I get the error "Unable to write to Shorthnd.ini file.
Solution: See How to Change Shorthand File Permissions
Problem: Shorthand does not work or expand correctly.
Solution: See Shorthand Compatibility Issues.
Problem: Shorthand does not work in Internet Explorer.
Solution:
Internet Explorer (IE) 7 and later has Protected Mode enabled which prevents
Shorthand from tracking your keystrokes.
To disable Protected Mode:
Problem:: In Microsoft Word, there is an extra space after the first character in my expansions. (e.g. "dr" expands to "d octor")
Cause: Microsoft Word sometimes insert extra spaces if you select "Simulate Clipboard Paste if Text Only" as the Shorthand text transfer method.
Solution:
To disable the automatic spaces in Word 2010 and later:
Problem: My abbreviations are not being expanded as I type.
Solution: We suggest you enable Shorthand's Suggestion Window to see if Shorthand is tracking your words correctly:
If nothing shows up in the Suggestion Window while you type, this means Shorthand is not tracking your keyboard at all. Here are some reasons why Shorthand could not track your keyboard:
Problem: Shorthand is expanding words inside another word.
Solution:
Problem: Expanded words are not capitalized when CAPS LOCK is on.
If you have set Shorthand's Transfer method to "Simulate Clipboard Paste if Text Only": Shorthand uses the Windows Clipboard to transfer text and the Windows Clipboard ignores the state of the CAPS LOCK (this is a Windows "feature" and not a Shorthand bug).
Instead of using CAPS LOCK to capitalize words, we suggest you use one of these techniques to capitalize an expansion:
Simply type the abbreviation in all CAPS using the SHIFT key. For example if you have the following abbreviation:
subj = subjective
typing "SUBJ"
Another technique is to define separate abbreviations for
your long forms you need in all CAPS.
For example:
subj = subjective
Problem: Shorthand does not expand abbreviations in word processors running via a
remote desktop through a virtual private network.
Solution:
You can make Shorthand work with a word processor running via a remote desktop
by having a small piece of your personal desktop show on the screen:
You can do this by minimizing the connection screen just slightly.
(Thanks to Karen S. for submitting this tip.)
Problem: Shorthand is not working with my Edix computer system.
Solution:
Turn off the macros in TWS (thanks to Darlene E. for submitting this tip).
Problem: The keyboard sometimes locks up under Windows NT/2000/XP.
Cause: Windows NT/2000/XP differentiates between the left and
right Ctrl/Alt/Shift keys and does not correctly process commands
from Shorthand for the Ctrl/Alt/Shift keys on the right side of
the keyboard.
Solution: This has been fixed in Version 8.50 and later for normal
typing conditions. There is one exception: The keyboard's SHIFT key could
be stuck in the "down" position under the following circumstances:
Problem: When Shorthand plays back text, the first character
of the keyword is not erased. Keystrokes or characters are also sometimes
lost after Shorthand expands a keyword.
Cause: Your word processor cannot process the keystrokes fast
enough.
Solution: Choose Preferences from the File menu and increase
the delay between keystrokes. This will slow down Shorthand.
Problem: Keystrokes are lost when using Shorthand to open or
switch to a new window.
Cause: Windows may ignore keystrokes while opening or repainting
a window.
Solution: Try inserting an {@PAUSE} tag after the keystroke command
to open or switch to a new window. This will allow Windows time to open
and display the new window.
Problem: Shorthand does not insert characters correctly into the
application.
Cause: The application is incompatible with the current setting
of Shorthand's text transfer method.
Solution: Try changing the text transfer method. Shorthand has
two methods for transferring text: by keyboard simulation and by simulating
the clipboard paste operation. If you encounter a problem inserting text
into an application, try changing the text transfer method in Shorthand's
Preferences box. If you are using Microsoft Word, be sure to disable MS
Word?s AutoCorrect wizard by choosing AutoCorrect from MS Word?s Tools
menu and unchecking the "Replace Text as You Type" box.
Problem: Keyboard does not respond to keystrokes.
Cause: Shorthand may have gotten out of sync with your word processor.
Solution: Use the mouse to activate Shorthand by clicking on
the Shorthand icon. Click the Hide button to send Shorthand to the background; this should reset your keyboard.
If your keyboard still doesn't work: Shorthand may have crashed; shut down and restart (reboot) Windows.
subj1 = SUBJECTIVE
The problem is that, under the above conditions,
Windows (not Shorthand) is generating an extra SHIFT DOWN keystroke
which messes up your keyboard's state. The recommended workaround
is to turn off NumLock if you need to simulate shifted
numeric keypad keys (e.g. Shift+Home, Shift+End, Shift+Ins, Shift+Del,
Shift+PgDn, Shift+Left Arrow). Or you can also press and release
the SHIFT key on the left side of the keyboard to reset your
keyboard back to its normal state if you observe your keyboard is
erroneously generating shifted keytrokes.