eClinicalWorks (eCW) shortcuts: macros, dot phrases, and workflow tips

For many clinicians and medical office staff, charting in the electronic health record (EHR) takes up a large part of the day. Retyping the same exam findings and follow-up instructions adds up, and so does clicking from screen to screen.

eClinicalWorks shortcuts, macros, and dot phrases help. They let users insert saved text, navigate between fields without the mouse, and finish the routine parts of a note in a few keystrokes.

In this post, we’ll explore practical examples of:

• eClinicalWorks shortcuts
• eClinicalWorks macros
• eClinicalWorks dot phrases
• eClinicalWorks tips and tricks

We’ll also look at how TextExpander keeps the same approved wording ready in the apps outside the EHR.

Why many healthcare teams use TextExpander with eClinicalWorks

eClinicalWorks has built-in tools for saved text, and practices often add TextExpander for the writing that happens outside it.

TextExpander lets users save the phrases, templates, and messages they write most as Snippets and insert them with a short abbreviation. One major advantage is that Snippets work across virtually any application, not just inside electronic health records.

This means the same Snippet can work in:

• eClinicalWorks chart notes
• Patient portal messages
• Email
• Referral letters
• Internal staff messaging tools

Healthcare organizations also use TextExpander to share approved Snippets across teams, so everyone works from the same current wording and one update reaches the whole team. Keep patient details out of saved Snippets and add them through fill-in fields as you type. See the HIPAA policy for current guidance.

TextExpander helps get everybody on the same page. We’re all working from the same standards, which makes a big difference when you’re scaling.
Julia Ball, Director of Primary Care Services, Amaze Health

Example TextExpander snippets for clinical workflows

Shortcut	Expands to
;medreview	Medication list reviewed and reconciled with patient.
;ptedu	Patient education provided regarding diagnosis and treatment plan.
;labpending	Laboratory studies ordered today. Results will be reviewed once available.
;followup	Follow-up visit recommended in 4 weeks unless symptoms worsen sooner.
;teleconsent	Patient consented to telehealth visit and understands limitations of virtual evaluation.

By using TextExpander alongside eClinicalWorks, providers and office users can reuse approved wording both inside and outside the EHR.

What are eClinicalWorks shortcuts?

eClinicalWorks shortcuts are keyboard commands and saved keywords that let providers and staff insert text, navigate between fields, and open common actions in the EHR without extra clicks. A keyboard shortcut moves you around the system; a macro inserts saved text.

Instead of typing the same phrases repeatedly, users enter a short keyword that eCW replaces with a longer sentence or a complete template.

Shortcuts are commonly used for:

• Physical exam findings
• Patient counseling language
• Follow-up instructions
• Medication notes
• Standard charting sections

For example, a macro such as examnorm might insert a sentence describing a normal physical exam. A keyword such as .hpi could bring up a structured History of Present Illness section.

These shortcuts help reduce repetitive typing and allow providers to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork.

eClinicalWorks keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts make it faster to navigate eClinicalWorks and reduce switching between keyboard and mouse. The quickest way to learn them is to hold the Alt key for about three seconds on any screen. eCW then shows the keyboard shortcut for each link or action there, and pressing those keys jumps straight to it.

Common navigation shortcuts

Keyboard shortcut	Function
Ctrl + Space	Insert a configured macro
Alt (hold for about 3 seconds)	Show the shortcut keys available on the current screen
Tab	Move to the next field
Shift + Tab	Move to the previous field
Ctrl + F	Search within notes or documents
Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V	Copy and paste text

Each keyboard shortcut can vary by eCW version and your practice’s settings, so the Alt overlay is the most helpful way to check what your own system supports. Learning even one keyboard shortcut per week can make charting noticeably faster during busy clinic sessions.

eClinicalWorks macros

Macros in eClinicalWorks are saved blocks of text that you insert with a short keyword and Ctrl + Space. They are often used for routine statements that appear in many patient encounters.

A macro is also a safer starting point than copying text forward from previous notes or previous encounters. The Joint Commission has warned that copying and pasting in electronic health records can carry outdated or inaccurate information into the chart, a patient safety risk. A macro inserts the same reviewed wording every time, and you still confirm each finding for the patient in front of you. That review step matters for patient safety whichever tool inserts the text.

Visit documentation macros

Macro	Expands to
fuvisit	Follow-up visit recommended in 4 weeks.
stablecond	Condition stable at this time. Continue current treatment plan.
symimprove	Patient reports symptoms have improved since last visit.
sympersist	Patient reports symptoms persist without significant improvement.
newconcern	Patient presents today with new concern as described in HPI.

Physical exam macros

Macro	Expands to
examnorm	Physical exam performed. Findings within normal limits unless otherwise noted.
cvnorm	Cardiovascular exam normal. Regular rate and rhythm.
lungsclr	Lungs clear to auscultation bilaterally.
abdsoft	Abdomen soft, non-tender, non-distended.
neurointact	Neurological exam grossly intact with no focal deficits.

Patient counseling macros

Macro	Expands to
dietedu	Diet and lifestyle modifications discussed with patient.
exercise	Exercise recommendations reviewed and encouraged.
medadher	Medication adherence discussed with patient.
riskbenefit	Risks, benefits, and alternatives reviewed with patient.
questions	Patient questions answered and patient verbalized understanding.

Follow-up and care plan macros

Macro	Expands to
labsord	Laboratory tests ordered today.
imagingord	Diagnostic imaging ordered for further evaluation.
refer	Referral placed for specialist evaluation.
rtc	Patient instructed to return to clinic as scheduled.
precautions	Patient advised regarding warning signs and when to seek urgent care.

How to create macros in eClinicalWorks

You create macros in eClinicalWorks settings, in a window called Configure Macros. Users can create personal macros there, though access to the window depends on the permissions your practice sets. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Configure Macros

Go to Menu in the navigation band, select the EMR tab, then choose Miscellaneous Configuration Options and Configure Macros. Menu labels can vary by eClinicalWorks version and by the permissions your practice has set, so ask your eCW administrator for access if you don’t see the option.

Step 2: Create a shortcut

Click the plus sign to add a macro, then fill in the Macro Name (shown only in the Configure Macros list), the Macro Shortcut (the keyword you type in a note), and the Macro Text (the text that’s inserted). Click OK to save.

Example:

Shortcut: asthmaedu

Expands to:

Patient educated on asthma management, including inhaler technique, trigger avoidance, and monitoring symptoms.

Step 3: Save and test the macro

Open a clinical note, type the macro shortcut in a free-text field such as the HPI, and press Ctrl + Space. eClinicalWorks replaces the shortcut with the macro text.

Testing ensures the macro inserts properly formatted text.

Step 4: Expand your macro library

Over time, providers often build a library of macros for common tasks, including:

• Review of systems
• Physical exam templates
• Chronic disease follow-ups
• Patient education statements
• Procedure notes

Macros also work in telephone encounters, Rx Edit, lab and imaging notes, and internal messages, so one library covers the same wording across multiple screens. A well-maintained macro library means less time retyping routine text.

eClinicalWorks dot phrases

Dot phrases are another method for quickly inserting structured documentation. In eClinicalWorks, typing a period followed by the first letters of a macro’s keyword brings up a list of matching macros to choose from. Practices name their own macros, so treat the keywords below as examples to adapt rather than built-in system commands.

They are commonly used for inserting entire sections of a note. Avoid a period in the middle of a keyword, since the period starts the search.

History and intake dot phrases

Dot Phrase	Inserts
.hpi	History of Present Illness template
.pmh	Past medical history template
.psh	Past surgical history template
.soc	Social history template
.familyhx	Family medical history template

Physical exam dot phrases

Dot Phrase	Inserts
.normalexam	Normal physical exam documentation
.vitalsreview	Vitals reviewed and documented
.cardioexam	Cardiovascular exam template
.respiratoryexam	Respiratory exam template
.neuroexam	Neurological exam template

Condition-specific dot phrases

Dot Phrase	Inserts
.htnfu	Hypertension follow-up visit template
.diabetesfu	Diabetes follow-up documentation
.uri	Upper respiratory infection evaluation
.backpain	Low back pain evaluation template
.anxietyfu	Anxiety follow-up visit documentation

These shortcuts let providers insert detailed templates in seconds instead of typing them out again. If your providers also work in Epic, see our post on Epic keyboard shortcuts.

eClinicalWorks tips and tricks

Experienced eClinicalWorks users rely on small habits that add up across a busy day. A few helpful ones that eCW super-user trainers recommend to practices:

• Type @ and the first letters of a name in a Notes box to pick a recipient in telephone encounters, patient documents, messages, and referrals.
• On the Referral screen, use the diagnosis search bar to search every diagnosis list at once.
• Click the arrow next to patient lookup to see recently viewed patients across the Patient Hub, visit notes, and other areas.
• After each version update, have your administrator review the new security settings so users aren’t blocked.

Menus and features differ by version and practice settings, so check with your eCW administrator before rolling a tip out to the whole office.

Build note templates for common visits

Reusable templates can help make notes consistent and complete for visits such as:

• Annual physical exams
• Chronic disease follow-ups
• Medication management visits
• Telehealth consultations

Templates reduce charting time and help maintain the quality of each note.

Create standardized shortcut libraries

Many practices maintain shared libraries of macros and shortcuts that include:

• Patient education phrases
• Exam findings
• Referral language
• Procedure notes

A shared library reduces variation between providers and helps record important information the same way every time. Give one person ownership of it so outdated wording gets retired instead of reused.

Combine eClinicalWorks shortcuts with TextExpander

Many clinics combine several tools:

• eClinicalWorks macros for chart notes
• Dot phrases for structured templates
• TextExpander Snippets for cross-app writing, from medical dot phrases to patient messages

This layered approach extends saved wording beyond the EHR into email, patient messaging, and administrative tasks.

TextExpander saves me a huge amount of time spent completing clinical notes, patient reports, referral letters and other correspondence. I like the fact that it sits unobtrusively on my computer and works across all of our applications. Now I can focus more on my work and reduce the time spent typing, copying or pasting notes.

Geoffrey S., Verified G2 reviewer, Medical Practice

Approved wording, such as a referral letter to a referring physician, belongs in a shared Snippet. Patient details go in through fill-in fields as you type, and clinical judgment stays with you.

Final thoughts

The eClinicalWorks shortcuts, macros, and dot phrases in this post improve charting efficiency for clinicians and healthcare staff by taking much of the retyping out of each note.

Paired with TextExpander, practices keep the answers they use most ready wherever they type, from patient messages to referral letters.

Over time, a well-organized library of shortcuts and templates gives users easy access to the wording they need, so providers spend less time on routine text and more on patient care.