SwiftKey

Note: This program has nothing to do with the Android keyboard by the same name. I just happened to name my program “SwiftKey” back in 2006; the first public beta of the now well-known SwiftKey appeared in 2010. I no longer maintain this program, and I no longer recommend using it for anything. If you need a keyboard macro program for Windows, I recommend AutoHotkey.

SwiftKey is an automatic typing program designed to make it easy to insert phrases or blocks of text quickly nearly anywhere you can type.

SwiftKey is not a “keyboard macro” program. Keyboard macro programs are designed to automate complex sequences of tasks such as launching programs, selecting menu options, changing system settings, etc. with one or two keystrokes. They are typically very flexible but often somewhat difficult to set up. If you think you want such a program, Chris Mallett’s AutoHotkey is an excellent choice. Like SwiftKey, AutoHotkey is released under the GNU General Public License, which means it is free to download and use and the author makes the source code available for other programmers to study and use under the same terms.

SwiftKey concentrates on text, making it practical to choose from a list of stored phrases and text blocks with only a few keystrokes. Additionally, SwiftKey enables advanced users to re-package the program along with preset texts for use by a group of people who share the same needs — for example, a group of co-workers who frequently insert the same “canned text” into e-mail messages — while still allowing end users to choose which keystrokes call up the presets and to add phrases and text blocks for their own use.

SwiftKey 1.0.2 runs on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and (presumably) later versions. It does not run on Windows 95/98/ME.

version 1.0.2 build 10 (install package for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and later; 422KB)

Also available: C++ source archive (97KB)

Changelog

version 1.0.2 build 10

Note: This workaround release addresses only the problem described below. If you are running version 1.0 build 4 or version 1.0.1 build 5 and do not experience the problem described, there is no need to install this version.

• Added the option Type files on key press (without taking focus and trapping key release) to the Setup dialog. Some users find that SwiftKey either randomly omits several letters from the beginning of the text it is supposed to type or fails to type anything at all. For most of these users, checking this option will work around the problem. However, this release cannot correct the problem when it occurs after a hot key combination displays a pop-up window. For this reason, and because the reason for the failure of the original code is not understood, this is considered a work-around rather than a fix.

version 1.0.1 build 5

Note: This maintenance release fixes only the one problem listed below. If you are running version 1.0 build 4 and are not concerned with the limitation described, there is no need to install this version.

• Fixed inability to specify the F1 function key as a hot key in the setup dialog.