adding special data entry strings/texts to popups on main (preferred) or symbols layouts

[GaelicGrime]

I do some data entry that requires the key sequences:
" :: " (space colon colon space)
" | " (space pipe space)
" || " (space pipe pipe space)
" # " (space space hash space)

I previously used a keyboard that disappeared from the face of the earth recently and only just discovered HeliBoard

Can I add a space to the simple layout?
EG without recompiling, just edit existing layouts on the device)

Also how do I change the popups on normal main letters on the device?

I have experimented with all of the options I could think of to get those spaces " " on the popup selection.

I can get "::" "||" eg without the " "s, but can not figure out how to get a space and am resisting creating a qwerty layout in json just so I can simplify my life as it previously was simplified LOL

[Helium314]

Can I add a space to the simple layout?

No, simple layout always splits at any number of spaces. If you want to have space as part of the label, you will need to use a json layout.

Also how do I change the popups on normal main letters on the device?

The "simple" way with <key> <popup> <popup> ... won't work as it splits on spaces, so you need to put them in the popup section in the json layout, e.g. "label": " # ", "popup": {"relevant": [{ "label": " :: " }, { "label": "{ "label": " :: " }" }]}.
Instead of creating a json from scratch, you could start with the azerty json, adjust it to qwerty and add the popups.

[GaelicGrime]

Apologies for the pause, unforeseen complexities.

Thanks, I assumed this was my new life, but you know, a little hope goes a long way sometimes.

[GaelicGrime]

Forgot to ask, will the phone take .json, or am I recompling (one more little hope moment LOL)

[Helium314]

No need to recompile anything. You can choose a json file when adding a new layout (languages & layouts, then choose language and use the + button). Alternatively you can edit the old layout and replace content with the json layout.