Triggers and Limits for Symbol Replacement

[3089488]

When writing notes it is common for me to define a symbol by giving its name as well, such as Sigma (Σ). I have found that symbols are not automatically converted when preceded by something that is not whitespace. It is not a necessary feature but it would be convenient. Additionally, ending a word with a symbol does not trigger a replacement of the string, only the Space key triggers it.

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Examples of when this would be useful:

• The symbol Sigma (sigma) is defined as something something.
• Sentence example (as an aside something something sigma)
• The mathematical formula 5^2 read 5 squared is calculated as 5 times 5. '^2' should prettify to '²'
• This document has been prettified~tm. '~tm' should prettify to '™'

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Suggestions:

Limits:

• Replaced strings can be preceded by some operators/symbols
  • ex: '(sigma' -> '(Σ' & '^sigma' -> '^Σ'
  • cons: Strings are more likely to be replaced when you don't want them to be.
  • con ex: Σ (sigma) -> Σ (Σ)
• Additionally/Alternatively, precede a string with an escape character like ~ to trigger the replacement of the following string.
  • ex: (~sigma) -> (Σ)
  • cons: Could interfere with using the escape character in replacement strings. (~= might not become ≈)
  • Could be a setting, let user enable it and decide their own infrequently used symbol

Triggers:

• Trigger a string replacement when some symbols are entered such as ')' or '.' or a single quote '.
  • ex: 'sigma)' -> 'Σ)'
  • ex: 'a sentence ending in sigma.'
  • cons: Similar to the previous suggestion, this could result in unwanted replacements
• The Enter key could trigger symbol replacement.

[noam-sc]

Thanks for the detailed feedback and suggestions!

You're right, the current behavior only triggers replacement with a space. I agree that enabling replacements after punctuation, with the Enter key and words delimited by other caracters would be useful. I'll explore adding this as a settings option.

For the escape character, I think it's better the other way around. In my view, defining the shortcut ~sigma (or \sigma) to be replaced by Σ is more intuitive than ~sigma not being replaced by Σ. It also avoids the interference with other replacements.

To address unwanted replacements, I'm considering an undo option by pressing Backspace right after a replacement to revert it (similar to smartphone autocorrect). Tell me what you think about it.

[3089488]

Reading my suggestion back, I totally understand why you wouldn't use an escape character. It doesn't make a lot of sense and would be difficult to implement in an intuitive way. I guess I didn't think that one far enough out 🤔.

As for adding Backspace to undo a replacement, I think that would definitely solve or at least reduce most of the cons inherent to reducing limits on symbol replacement.

Thanks for hearing my suggestion out, I'm trying to set up Obsidian for organizing my notes in college and your plugin is a great help for quickly typing math stuff.

[noam-sc]

Hey @3089488, the latest update (1.4.0) added the ability to revert a replacement by pressing backspace and flexible word boundaries (for both words start and end). For now, it doesn't work with the Enter key.