Tutorials

Getting Started

Click on **Create File** from the menu bar. You’ll need to be logged in with an active subscription to access the Create File page. Once you’re logged into your account with an active subscription, you’ll see our Code Replacement Manager.

Understanding the Code Replacement Manager

The Code Replacement Manager has four main sections:

• Team Configuration: Select your league and teams, customize your short code structure, and add commonly used caption codes.
• Roster Configuration: Adjust the number of columns and structure of each column in your file. You can also customize your preferences here.
• Actions section: Shows when rosters were last updated, and lets you download, copy, or email your final code replacement file.
• Review and Edit Roster: Displays your roster and any commonly used codes you’ve selected.

Creating Your First File

Let’s walk through creating your first file. Start by selecting a league from the dropdown. For this example, we’ll choose **NFL**. Next, choose how many teams to include in your file (one to four). For our example, we’ll select two teams: the **Detroit Lions** and the **Philadelphia Eagles**. The Review and Edit Roster section updates automatically as you make selections.

Adding Custom Codes and Configuring Columns

In the **Add Custom Codes** dropdown, you can select standard codes or codes from your custom lists. Next, set up your short code structure. You can add custom letters before or after player numbers using the short code structure buttons. For our example, we’ll change the defaults to **D** for the Detroit Lions and **P** for the Philadelphia Eagles. This means Detroit Lions players will have codes starting with D followed by their number, like **D25**. Finally, configure how many columns you want (up to six) and customize each column’s content to match your workflow.

Automated Accuracy and Export

SnapCaption features **automatic duplicate handling** to prevent errors. If two players on the same team have the same jersey number, the program adds a letter sequence to differentiate them. The blue box on each row’s left shows duplicates and explains any changes made. Once you’ve reviewed for accuracy, choose your export option: **download** the TSV file, **copy** the data in tab-delimited format, or **email** the file to yourself.

Streamline Your Workflow with Saved Preferences

For photographers who regularly cover specific teams, our **Saved Preferences** feature is a game-changer. Simply create a saved preference list and load it to instantly apply all your settings, saving you even more time.

How to Use the File in Photo Mechanic

While SnapCaption is software-agnostic, it’s designed to work perfectly with industry-standard tools like Photo Mechanic. The generated code replacement file can be easily loaded into Photo Mechanic’s IPTC editor. The IPTC editor allows you to use your custom shortcodes to quickly and accurately caption images, automatically replacing the codes with the full player information. This powerful combination of SnapCaption and Photo Mechanic ensures that you’re always delivering accurate, professional-grade work on deadline.