ActiveWords 5 is a major evolution of ActiveWords, focused on expanding how you launch actions, work with selected text, and interact with your computer using the keyboard.
This version introduces significant architectural and feature changes and is currently available as an alpha for testing and early feedback.
This article gives a high-level overview of what’s new and what to expect.
ActiveWords 5 Is an Alpha Release
ActiveWords 5 is an early, in-progress version intended for evaluation and testing.
That means:
- Features may change as development continues
- Documentation is still being expanded
- Some behavior may differ from ActiveWords 4
If you rely on ActiveWords daily for production workflows, you should review the installation and data behavior carefully before switching.
A Reimagined Action Pad
The Action Pad has been significantly expanded.
In ActiveWords 5, the Action Pad can:
- Launch ActiveWords actions
- Search for applications, files, and folders on your computer
- Perform calculations and date-based expressions
- Act on selected text when relevant
The Action Pad is now designed as a central, keyboard-driven entry point for many tasks, not just a shortcut launcher.
Selected Text (Previously ActionText)
What was previously called ActionText is now called Selected Text.
Along with the name change:
- Selected Text actions are more visible and flexible
- You can trigger actions based on highlighted text
- Selected Text actions can be accessed through the Action Pad
- Hotkeys can be assigned to Selected Text actions
Existing users should be aware of the terminology change when looking for documentation.
Improved Hotkey Management
Hotkeys in ActiveWords 5 are more centralized and flexible.
You can now:
- Assign hotkeys directly while editing an action
- Use the same hotkey for multiple actions and choose from a list
- Manage Action Pad and action hotkeys from a single location
This makes it easier to customize keyboard workflows without conflicts.
New and Enhanced Capabilities
ActiveWords 5 also introduces several new or expanded features, including:
- Date calculations that work directly in the Action Pad and actions
- An advanced calculator for more complex numeric expressions
- A Large Type feature for displaying selected text clearly
- Optional audio feedback when text expansion completes
Some of these features will be documented in more detail in separate FAQs.
Important Structural Changes
Behind the scenes, ActiveWords 5 includes changes that affect how data is stored and managed.
Notably:
- The folder structure has been simplified
- The internal database format has changed
- Actions created in ActiveWords 5 are not compatible with ActiveWords 4
These changes are intentional and support future development, but they are important to understand before switching versions.
What to Read Next
If you’re getting started with ActiveWords 5, these FAQs are recommended next:
- Installing ActiveWords 5 (Alpha)
- Understanding the New Folder Structure and Database Changes
- Action Pad Overview
