10 ways to become a power Swype user
(If you’re still new to Swype, you might want to visit the Tips & Tricks page before attempting these higher-level maneuvers. There you’ll find the Swype FAQ, as well as some basic instructional videos.)
1. Double-Tap to Edit
To maximize Swype’s efficiency, you shouldn’t be editing your entries as you go—that is, word-by-word. If you make a mistake, rather than worry about correcting the word, just keep going! Swype’s system of double-tap editing allows you to go back and make as many changes as necessary, quickly and without losing your place. (Double-tap editing is not available on the downloadable beta version of Swype.)
Just double-tap on the word you wish to edit and select the correct word from the Word Choice window.
2. Punctuate Elegantly – Still tapping out punctuation?
Almost all punctuation can be entered as a Swype gesture. These gestures include:
- Period-space
- Comma-space
- Exclamation point-space
- Question mark-space
- Quotation mark-space
- Space-hyphen-space
To enter a question mark and a space, Swype from the ‘?’ key to the Space key.
3. URL Shortcuts – Get connected faster
Swype helps you get connected faster with the following:
URL shortcuts:
- www.
- .com
- .org
- .gov
- .net
- .edu
- .ca
- .uk
- http://
To enter a question mark and a space, Swype from the ‘?’ key to the Space key.
4. Hidden Shortcuts - Everyone likes secrets...
Being a power user means doing normal things fast. Here are a few shortcuts to get you up to speed.
URL shortcuts:
- Access the numbers layer directly from text layer by gesturing from the Swype key to the '5' key
- Swype from the Swype key to the 'SYM' (symbol) key to access the Edit layer.
.com Place your finger on the period, then Swype through .-c-o-m and lift!
5. Tertiary Functions – Good things come to those who (press and) wait
For each key on the ABC layer you have three sets of entry options:
URL shortcuts:
- press
- press-hold
- press-long hold.
To truly become a Swype power user you need to know how to use these third, or tertiary, functions effectively.
6. Switch Languages As Needed - Multi-lingual? Swype is, too!
Depending on your device, carrier, and market, your version of Swype supports multiple languages. The easiest way to access the language menu is to press-hold on the language ('EN') key.
Switch Languages Quickly
You can Swype in nearly 50 languages. To quickly switch between the current language in use to the last language used, Swype from the Swype key to the language ('EN') key.
7. Use Your Personal Dictionary – Email addresses, phone numbers, and passwords are all just a Swype away
Swype learns words that you tap so you can Swype them later. But what about other entries- phone numbers, for instance? Swype won’t save every phone number you type into a message.
If you’d like to store a phone number or email address, you’ll have to tap it out once. Once completed, highlight the entry and tap the Swype key. You should see a notification informing you that the string was added to the dictionary. To remove a word from the dictionary, highlight it and tap the Swype key.
8. Know your Options to truly become master of your Swyping domain!
You can optimize Swype performance by tweaking options: Trace Path length, speed vs accuracy, etc.
Turn on the trace path to see your own work.
9. The Capitalization Choice Menu – No NEED to SHOUT!
To access the capitalization menu for any Swyped word, place the cursor within the word and gesture from the Swype key to the Shift/CAPS key. A box will appear with the option to enter the word in lowercase, Initial Caps, or ALL CAPS.
10. Swype Key – Access to Key Functions
Tapping the Swype key provides access to several key functions:
- Brings up the Word Choice List
- Adds a word to the database
- Removes a word from the database
- Adds multiple words to the database
- Powers Swype Key Shortcuts /Macros
- Activates the Info Pane functions (for Help, Tutorial and Options) after a Press-hold
