For the technical FAQ please visit https://www.phraseexpress.com/support/faq/
On how many computers can I use a PhraseExpress license?
Licensing depends on the installation variation:
- Stand-alone installation: If using PhraseExpress without a SQL Server, one license can be used by one person on up to three computers on which you use the same user name. On Windows, the "user name" is the "Windows user name" (this is not the Microsoft account name). On a Mac, the "user name" is the "Apple account name" (this is not the log in name). Each person requires a separate license. The actual user name that PhraseExpress uses for licensing is shown in the "" window.
- Portable mode: If running PhraseExpress from a USB stick, the license key is bound to the USB stick, which you can use on any number of computers.
- Client-/Server: If using PhraseExpress with a SQL Server, you need a separate license for each user connection to the server. The user can be identified by his or her user name or by the combination of user name and workgroup, or by the combination of user name, workgroup and computer name.
Licenses for Windows and macOS are separate purchases.
What programs is PhraseExpress compatible with?
PhraseExpress generally works in all programs that can receive text input.
Text is inserted by simulating individual keystrokes or by using the clipboard.
The insertion method is selected automatically, or can be configured for specific target programs.
Is PhraseExpress safe to use?
PhraseExpress is safe!
We are an established company with a track record of more than 20 years and registered in Germany, a country with one of the strictest privacy laws in the world.
PhraseExpress never sends any of your text input or saved phrases anywhere. Period.
You do not even need to trust our statement: You can lock PhraseExpress up in your firewall after license key registration.
Before you install any software, you might want to check, who you are about to trust:
- Verify the digital software certificate: Right-click the program installation file, select .
- Here is our business address and contact info.
This information should help to gain confidence, that we are no fake company operating in the dark.
PhraseExpress and Security Software
PhraseExpress requires access to your keyboard input to provide the desired functions.
"Antivirus", "AntiMalware" software may inadvertedly interprete the "keyboard hook" which is used to detect keyboard input as a malicious "Keylogger" and block PhraseExpress from recognizing key strokes.
Check if your security software has a "keylogger protection" and consider switching it off or - if available - add PhraseExpress to a white list of authorized applications.
Report False Positives
If your "Security" program blocks PhraseExpress, we kindly ask you to report a false positive, allowing the maker to verify the situation and white-list PhraseExpress in their database:
| Vendor | Submission options |
|---|---|
| Symantec | |
| Microsoft | Submission form |
| Avira | Submission form |
| Kaspersky | |
| ZoneAlarm | See Kaspersky (Zone Alarm uses the same scanner engine) |
| BitDefender | Submission form |
| AVG | |
| F-Secure | Submission form |
| Avast | Submission form |
| Sophos | Submission form |
| ClamAV | Submission form |
| WatchGuard | Submission form |
| SpyBot Search&Destroy | Submission form |
| G-Data | Submission form |
| Prevx | Submission email |
| KeyScrambler | Contact email |
Can I use licenses on Mac and Windows at the same time?
You can use a license key for either Windows or Mac but not at the same time.
The license can be moved from Windows to Mac (or vice versa) at any time.
Can I transfer a license to another user?
Yes, you can deregister your license key from one installation for use with another user name as often as you want.
You can also move the license from a Windows installation to a Mac installation (and vice versa).
Cloud Sharing or a SQL Server?
We describe the benefits and limitations of either storage/sync method in the documentation,
Does PhraseExpress support formatted text such as bold, italics, colour etc?
Yes, PhraseExpress supports (Rich Text) formatted text including bitmaps and tables. The Professional Edition for Windows also supports native Microsoft Word formatting including embedded Excel spreadsheets.
How to renew maintenance?
Returning customers get renewal discount. You can also upgrade to a higher product edition:
- Maintenance for single licenses can be extended online.
- To renew maintenance for multiple licenses, please send your license keys to receive a custom quote.
Can I add graphics to my phrases?
Yes, PhraseExpress can store both, images and tables in phrases.
Image files can easily be dragged into the phrase content and resized with the mouse.
What happens if maintenance expires?
You can continue to use the version, that you were able to download within your purchased maintenance term for an unlimited time. You own a life-time license. The software itself does not expire.
Important: Make sure to secure your installer file for future installations as we do not host an installer archive.
However, you may then be using an unmaintained and out-of-date software without security bug fixes and updates to maintain compatibility with operating systems.
To stay up-to-date, renew the maintenance at discount.
You can also upgrade to a higher product edition, for example from the Standard Edition to the Professional Edition.
Yes, you can either share phrases "peer-to-peer" by using your local NAS or any cloud sync service (own-hosted or internet based) or with a Microsoft SQL server in a client-/server architecture.
Is the SQL Server included?
PhraseExpress supports connections to a Microsoft SQL Server but the SQL Server itself is not included.
Microsoft offers a free SQL Server Express Edition which can be used with PhraseExpress.
Can phrases be access restricted?
Yes, access to individual phrase folders of a shared phrase file can be restricted to specific users, work groups or domains. Microsoft ActiveDirectory is supported.
If using an SQL server with PhraseExpress, each user can optionally have a personal phrase folder by default.
How many phrases can PhraseExpress hold?
PhraseExpress can store many phrases. We perform our tests with around 100,000 phrases.
Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes, we offer attactive volume discounts if you purchase multiple licenses.
If you purchase online, simply enter the desired quantity and press "" to preview the voume discount.
We do not offer discount coupons for single/low quantity purchases.
Is the iOS App included in the Windows or Mac version?
No, each product variation is a separate purchase.
There is software which is based on a common source code, that is compiled for different operating systems with a single click of a button. The benefit is obvious but comes at a price: A common code basis has to be the lowest common denominator of all support platforms. Our software Macro Recorder uses such system because in this particular case, there is little which is lost caused by this restriction.
PhraseExpress, instead, aims to excel at what's doable for each operating system. As each version is a complete separate development with native development tools designed for the respective operating system, we need to charge for each variation separately.
Another challenge is, that Apple insists to sell iOS Apps. There is simply no other sales channel for iOS App.
What is the maximum phrase length?
The maximum storable length should be sufficient for all practical cases.
There is certainly a theoretical maximum length that we have not yet been able to achieve in our tests, though.
Please try the free demo to find out if PhraseExpress is suitable for your tasks.
Does PhraseExpress have a spell checker?
Yes, PhraseExpress includes a multilingual spelling checker. Unrecognized words are underlined in red as in Microsoft Word.
Can I print a list of my shortcuts?
Yes, you can print a list of your shortcuts.
Can I import my snippets from TextExpander
Yes, PhraseExpress can import TextExpander (locally non-cloud version) snippets for use with PhraseExpress for Windows, Mac and iOS. PhraseExpress can also import from CSV files.
Can PhraseExpress automate mouse and keyboard?
PhraseExpress can simulate key presses and insert text. For mouse/keyboard automation, we recommend our other software Macro Recorder that can be used together with PhraseExpress.
PhraseExpress can manage your Macro Recorder automations in the same database as your phrases and execute Macro Recorder macros with PhraseExpress triggers.