> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hermesvoice.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Text Formatting

> Edit or reply to selected text using AI.

## What it does

Text Formatting uses AI to edit or reply to selected text. Unlike AI Calls (which use custom prompts), Text Formatting provides pre-built actions for common text operations.

## Formatting types

| Type      | What it does                                   |
| --------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| **Edit**  | Modify selected text based on your instruction |
| **Reply** | Generate a response to selected text           |

***

## Configuration

| Setting                | Default | Description                    |
| ---------------------- | ------- | ------------------------------ |
| **Formatting Type**    | Edit    | Edit or Reply                  |
| **Requires Selection** | Yes     | Must have text selected        |
| **Use Vision**         | Off     | Include screenshot for context |
| **Output Handling**    | Inject  | What to do with result         |

***

## Edit mode

Edit mode modifies selected text based on your voice instruction.

### How to use

1. Select the text you want to edit
2. Trigger the action
3. Speak your editing instruction
4. The text is transformed

### Example instructions

| You say             | What happens             |
| ------------------- | ------------------------ |
| "make this shorter" | Condenses the text       |
| "make this longer"  | Expands with more detail |
| "fix the grammar"   | Corrects errors          |
| "make it formal"    | Professional tone        |
| "make it casual"    | Relaxed tone             |
| "bullet points"     | Converts to list         |
| "summarize"         | Creates summary          |
| "simplify"          | Simpler language         |

### Example

**Selected text**:

> "I wanted to reach out regarding the upcoming project timeline and discuss the various deliverables we need to complete."

**You say**: "make it shorter"

**Result**:

> "I wanted to discuss the project timeline and deliverables."

***

## Reply mode

Reply mode generates a response to selected text.

### How to use

1. Select the text you want to reply to
2. Trigger the action
3. Speak your response intent
4. A formatted reply is generated

### Examples

**Selected email**:

> "Can you join the meeting tomorrow at 2pm?"

**You say**: "yes that works"

**Result**:

> "Yes, 2pm tomorrow works for me. I'll be there."

***

**Selected Slack message**:

> "Hey, can you review my PR when you have time?"

**You say**: "sure, I'll look this afternoon"

**Result**:

> "Sure! I'll take a look this afternoon."

***

## Context awareness

Text Formatting understands context from multiple sources:

1. **Selected text** — The text you highlighted
2. **Vision** (if enabled) — What's on your screen
3. **Text field context** — Surrounding text
4. **App context** — Which app you're in

This helps generate appropriate edits and replies.

***

## Creating a Text Formatting trigger

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Triggers">
    Go to **Settings → Triggers**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create new trigger">
    Click **+** or **New Trigger**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the phrase">
    Enter your trigger phrase (e.g., "edit this" or "reply").
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Prefix matching">
    Select **Prefix** so you can speak your instruction.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Text Formatting">
    Choose **Text Formatting** as the action type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Edit or Reply">
    Select the formatting type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure options">
    Enable Vision if helpful for context.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Text Formatting vs AI Calls

| Feature           | Text Formatting      | AI Calls            |
| ----------------- | -------------------- | ------------------- |
| Custom prompts    | No                   | Yes                 |
| Pre-built actions | Yes (Edit/Reply)     | No                  |
| Ease of use       | Simpler              | More flexible       |
| Best for          | Quick edits, replies | Custom AI workflows |

Use Text Formatting for quick, common operations. Use AI Calls when you need custom prompts.

***

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Calls" icon="robot" href="/triggers/types/ai-calls">
    Custom AI prompts for more control.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hermes Edit" icon="pen" href="/features/hermes-edit">
    Built-in edit feature.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hermes Reply" icon="reply" href="/features/hermes-reply">
    Built-in reply feature.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>