I have a system for typing acronyms that works really well for me. I use Instant Text, and through trial and error I have found a few systems that work for me and many that don't. I guess our brains work in different ways, and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

Anyway, my system for acronyms has worked out really well from the start. I needed to find a way to type out COPD without having it expand to "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease." I know that some people add an extra letter to "copd" if they want it to expand, but my approach is just the opposite.

My system is to repeat the last letter of the acronym when I want the acronym. For example, for "COPD" I type "copdd" and for "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" I just type "copd."

I do this with all of my acronyms and abbreviations except for drug abbreviations like b.i.d. I find that typing the last letter of the acronym is actually the fastest and easiest letter to add. Also, I never have to stop to think whether or not a phrase I am typing will expand to a the phrase or its acronym. Some phrases have shortened abbreviations and others don't, and this way I don't have to remember which ones do and which ones don't.

Also, I mentioned that I use Instant text, but I should also mention that I have a separate glossary just for these acronyms and abbreviations. This glossary is included with the other glossaries that I use for words, phrases, drugs, etc., and I have my included glossaries arranged in the order in which I want them to appear in the advisory window. This particular glossary with acronyms and abbreviations is located near the top of my included glossaries, just under my glossary for headings. This way, these acronyms are always at the top of my advisory window, and "cadd" plus spacebar = CAD.

I use the same system but reversed. I add the last double letter to the longer phrase. Something in my mind tells me I don't want to strike five keys to get four letters. I'd rather strike five keys to get 20.

Cheryl

With Cheryl's system, I think it would be hard for me personally to remember which phrases I need to add a double letter to. A lot of phrases have abbreviated forms, but there are many that do not. Maybe with a lot more experience (I have only been working for three months), I will instinctively know when I hear a phrase that has an abbreviated form and needs the double letter at the end to avoid expanding to the abbreviation. I guess I would have to add the extra letter to every phrase I expand, just in case it has an abbreviated form.

By adding the the double letter at the end of the abbreviation, I don't have to know which phrases have abbreviations and which do not. Yes, it is an extra keystroke for each abbreviation, but it is still a lot faster than using right and left shift keys. The best part is that there is no thinking required.

Sorry, I need to clarify that. I use the double key at the end of my short form for acronyms. I don't use that system for all expansions.

Cheryl

It's all what works for each person! Actually, I like what you're doing, Meredith, better than my own, which is usually an s at the end for the short version. Hitting the last letter double is quicker and easier on the fingers.

Some people use x at the end, I believe, to indicate expanding the entry fully. I've never done that, and now I'm so used to adding x at the end of my short forms to indicate some sort of personal, strange expansions that I wouldn't want to!