When Auto-replace mode is enabled (either by opening an "auto-replace" library, or through the "Tools | Auto-replace Mode" menu command), NoteTab will check for a matching item in the active library whenever you press any of the following characters (activation keys):
TAB SPACE RETURN ! " , . : ; = > ? ] }
If a matching Clip is found, the typed item in the document is automatically replaced according to the Clip instructions.
Note that if the Clip contains the cursor-positioning code ^&, the activating key is automatically discarded. You can also use the activating key in Clip code through the new predefined variable ^%AR_KEY%.
Usually, when using libraries for auto-replace mode, it is not necessary to see the list of Clips. You can hide the Clipbook window by using the "Tools | Clipbook Properties | Hide Clipbook" menu command. This way, the Clipbook tool is still available but you have more screen space for your document.
See also the related topic Autocompletion with UAS.
For a demonstration of this auto-replace feature,try the included libraries AutoCorrect and HTML-ar. See topics below for more information.
AutoCorrect library
Auto-replace mode is automatically enabled when this library is opened in the Clipbook window (this window may be hidden). The library contains over 900 entries corresponding to the most common typos and spelling mistakes in the English language. To open this library, click on the button labeled AutoCorrect in the button bar at the bottom of the NoteTab window.
This library provides a feature similar to AutoCorrect available in WinWord and other word processors. As you edit your document, NoteTab checks the word preceding the cursor whenever you press an activation key. If this word matches a Clip name in the list (case insensitive), it is automatically replaced according to the Clip instructions. For example, if you type acn in your document followed by the spacebar key, NoteTab will automatically replace the typo with the word can.
You can add your own entries to the library by choosing the menu command Tools | Clipbook | Add New Clip (or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+F2). You will then be prompted to enter the Clip name – this should correspond to the typo or misspelling. Next the new Clip is added to the list and the Clip editor opened. Just type the correct spelling or text you want to be used by the auto-replace feature, save the library (Ctrl+S) and close the Clip editor (Ctrl+F4).
You can also easily remove an auto-replace item by selecting it in the Clipbook window and pressing the Delete key.
HTML-ar library
Auto-replace mode is automatically enabled when this library is opened in the Clipbook window. The library contains all the common HTML tags. To open this library, click on the button labeled HTML-ar in the button bar at the bottom of the NoteTab window.
You should not really use these Clips the traditional way (i.e. by dragging or clicking on the Clip item). As long as Auto-replace Mode is enabled, you just type normally in your document. When NoteTab, for example, detects that you have typed <font followed by one of the activation keys, it automatically activates the matching Clip item. Type, for example, <b> and you will automatically get the closing tag after the cursor: <B>|</B>.