My Text Expansions are in this group, I presume a default from KBM installation:
And here is one that I keep trying to use, but it doesn't expand:
β Macro (v10.2)
Here is what happens when I use it in a comment. In this case, I typed the same trigger string twice:
I tried it a second time this time as part of debugging. Usually I type it once, it doesn't work, so I try something else in frustration. I still don't get what is happening, but it seems like I'm closer.
WHOOPS! It seems the definition included the option "Following any character". I suspect that may be the issue!
Generally, you cannot use Typed String triggers reliably in the Keyboard Maestro editor because any change to the macros will result in the macros being saved which will reset that Typed String trigger buffer.
Typed String triggers also wont work in the Keyboard Maestro Engine because for technical reasons, Keyboard Maestro Engine cannot see the typing (the system allows an application to monitor keystrokes except when that application is itself the front application).
So you will need to use a different trigger in the Keyboard Maestro editor.
Thanks! I missed that distinction. Now I understand what you were getting at.
I will test to see if pasting rather than typing works better for me, despite @peternlewis's caveat. I will also pursue his suggestion of using a different trigger, something other than a typed string.