How to Set Up Emoji Shortcuts on ZSA Keyboards for macOS 😃❤️

Emojis are an integral part of daily life, adding emotion and clarity to our messages. For ZSA keyboard users on macOS, creating emoji shortcuts can streamline your workflow and inject fun into your daily typing tasks. This guide will walk you through setting up emoji shortcuts using three popular macOS tools: BetterTouchTool, TextExpander, and Keyboard Maestro.

Example for Emoji Layer

Customizing your ZSA Keyboard: The Power of Flexibility

ZSA keyboards like the Voyager, Moonlander, and ErgoDox EZ are celebrated for their unparalleled customizability and ergonomic benefits. To personalize your ZSA keyboard, use the online Oryx Configurator to select and modify layouts, reassign key functions, and create multiple layers for different uses, such as a dedicated emoji layer. After customizing, simply flash your new layout onto the keyboard.

The flexibility of ZSA keyboards lies in their fully programmable keys, allowing for complex macros and dual-function assignments. With support for multiple layers, you can switch between entire sets of keybindings effortlessly.

Simple Three-Step Process:

1. Plan your Emoji Layout
   Decide on a consistent and memorable prefix, e.g. ~ or ;, for your emoji shortcuts, and name each emoji with a short code, such as ~smi for 🙂, ~thufor 👍, ~thdfor 👎, ~hrtfor ❤️, etc.
   Keep in mind that macros on ZSA keyboards are limited to 5 characters.

Example for Emoji Shortcut

1. Configure the Layer in Oryx Configurator
   Create a new layer you want to use for emojis, and assign a key to activate your emoji layer, and create macros to emit your shortcuts.
2. Translate the Shortcuts into Unicode
   Using a third-party expansion software, translate the shortcuts into the actual Unicode for the emoji.

TL;DR: How it works

When you press the key, the ZSA keyboard will emit the shortcut, e.g. ~hrt , and the third-party software will replace it with the Unicode for the emoji ❤️. This has the advantage that it works in all MacOS apps and text input fields.

You might also want to checkout this Moonlander layout with an emoji layer.

Unlock the Power of Emojis on ZSA Keyboards: Macros to the Rescue

In the Oryx Configurator, create a new layer, and assign a key to activate yor emoji layer, e.g. holding down “E” to activate the emoji layer.

In your new emoji layer, click on a key you want to assign, then click on “when tapped”, and in the pop-up, select “Macro”. Now assign each character of the shortcut to the macro, e.g. ~, S, M, I. When done you can label the key with the actual emoji 🙂. Rinse, repeat!

I wish ZSA would make entering the macro easier, e.g. allow the user to type the character sequence until a button is pressed, but for now you have to enter the characters one by one.

Configuring the ZSA key to emit a shortcut for an emoji

Now all we need to do is to configure a third-party tool to translate the shortcut into the Unicode that represents the emoji.

Below, find Details on the Configuration for:

1. TextExpander
2. Keyboard Maestro
3. BetterTouchTool

Streamline Your Typing with TextExpander

TextExpander excels in creating quick and efficient text shortcuts. Follow these steps to expand snippets into emojis:

Getting Started

1. Download and install TextExpander: Open TextExpander from your Applications.
2. Create a New Snippet: Click the “+” button to add a new text snippet.
3. Define Your Abbreviation: Enter the abbreviation that will trigger the emoji, like ~lol
4. Paste Your Emoji: In the content field, paste the 😆 emoji.
5. Save and Implement: Save your snippet and start using it across your macOS applications.

Automate Emojis with Keyboard Maestro

Keyboard Maestro provides a robust platform for automating virtually any task on your Mac, including typing emojis. Here’s how to set it up:

Configuration Steps

1. Download and Launch Keyboard Maestro: Open Keyboard Maestro from your Applications.
2. Create a New Macro: Click the “New Macro” button and name it after the emoji.
3. Set Your Trigger: Choose “Hot Key Trigger” and input your desired key sequence for the shortcut, e.g. ~lol.
4. Define the Action: Select “Insert Text” and paste-in the 😆 emoji.
5. Activate and Enjoy: Enable the macro and use it in any application on your Mac.

Unlock the Power of Emojis with BetterTouchTool

BetterTouchTool is another potent application that can transform your ZSA keyboard into an emoji-typing powerhouse. Here’s how to map your shortcuts to the Unicode characters for the emojis:

Step-by-Step Guide

Download and Open BetterTouchTool, then:

A) Navigate to Keyboard Section: Click on the “Keyboard” icon to start creating your shortcuts.

Select “Keyboard”

B) Create a New Shortcut: Select “Add New Shortcut”, then select “Key Sequence”, and press “Record New Key Sequence”. You will see a pop-up.

Three Steps to start recording the Key Sequence

C) Input Your Key Sequence: Type the sequence, such as ~smi, in the input field. Stop recording, and save.

Type the character sequence for the shortcut

To emit the Unicode for the emoji, we attach an additional action:

Attach Additional Action

Then define a “Trigger Predefined Action” to emit a specific custom text:

Trigger Predefined Action: Paste Custom Text

Finally, Assign the Emoji to emit: Choose “Paste / Type Custom Text” and insert the “😊” emoji, then hit “Save”.

Paste the Emoji or Unicode as the Custom Text

Now just rinse & repeat for the other emoji shortcuts you defined. 🎉

Conclusion

Setting up emoji shortcuts on your ZSA keyboard can greatly enhance your typing experience on macOS. Whether you choose BetterTouchTool for its versatility, TextExpander for its text-snippet prowess, or Keyboard Maestro for its automation capabilities, you’re just a few steps away from making your digital communication more expressive and efficient.

cheers! 🎉✨