Switching from TextExpander to TypeSnap
Ready to leave TextExpander? Here's how to export your entire snippet library and import it into TypeSnap with a guided import — groups, macros, and all.
You’ve decided to leave TextExpander. Maybe it was the subscription that pushed you over the edge — what started at $20/year is now $60/year, with no sign of stopping. Maybe you’re tired of your snippets living in the cloud when they don’t need to. Whatever brought you here, the good news is this: your snippets should come with you, and TypeSnap provides a guided import with conversion warnings.
What Transfers
The import is thorough. Here’s what comes over cleanly:
- All your snippets and their content
- Groups and folder structure (preserved as TypeSnap groups)
- Fill-in fields (text inputs, dropdowns, checkboxes)
- Date and time macros
- Clipboard insertion
- Nested snippet references
- Cursor positioning
What changes: AppleScript snippets and shell scripts are converted to plain text. This is intentional — running arbitrary code from a snippet library is a security risk, and TypeSnap doesn’t support it. You’ll see these flagged in the import preview so you can decide what to do with them.
Step 1: Export from TextExpander
You have two options depending on whether you use the web app or the Mac app.
Option A: Export from the Web App (recommended)
- Go to app.textexpander.com
- Click Settings → Import/Export
- Click Export All Snippets
- Download the
.csvfile — this contains your entire library
Option B: Export from the Mac App
- Open TextExpander
- Select a group in the sidebar
- Click File → Save a Copy of Group…
- Save the
.textexpanderfile - Repeat for each group you want to transfer
Option A is easier if you have many groups. Option B gives you more control if you only want to move specific groups.
Step 2: Import into TypeSnap
- Open TypeSnap
- Open File → Import Snippets and select TextExpander as the source
- Click Choose File and select the export file
- Review the preview and its separate Warnings and Errors sections. Resolve issues before importing.
- Click Import
Test important imported templates in your target apps before switching.
Macro Conversion Reference
TypeSnap automatically converts TextExpander’s macro syntax to its own. Here’s the full mapping:
| TextExpander | TypeSnap |
|---|---|
%filltext:name=Name% |
{{input:Name}} |
%fillpopup:name=Day:Mon:Tue:Wed% |
{{select:Day:Mon,Tue,Wed}} |
%fillpart:name=Sig%...%fillpartend% |
{{optional:Sig}}...{{/optional}} |
%clipboard |
{{clipboard}} |
%Y-%m-%d |
{{date:yyyy-MM-dd}} |
%@+7D% |
{{date+7d}} |
%| |
{{cursor}} |
%key:tab% |
{{key:tab}} |
%snippet:abbr% |
{{snippet:abbr}} |
Most macros convert automatically. The warnings in the import preview will point you to any that need a second look.
FAQ
Will this delete my TextExpander snippets?
No. TypeSnap imports a copy of your snippets — it reads your export file and creates new entries in its own library. Your TextExpander account and its data are completely untouched. You can keep using TextExpander alongside TypeSnap until you’re confident everything transferred correctly.
What if a macro doesn’t convert?
Review the Warnings and Errors sections in the import preview. Unsupported macros or scripts can require manual edits. Keep the original export and compare important templates after import.
TypeSnap is $17.99, one time. No subscription, no cloud account required. Download TypeSnap. Or see the full import guide for all supported formats.
Prices checked October 1, 2026: TextExpander Pro is $60 USD/year with annual billing. TextExpander also offers a Free plan with 5 active snippets. Prices can change; this is a paid-plan price comparison, not a claim of equivalent features.