The triplet icon does not represent a rhythmic figure; it represents the tuplet tool, which is used for creating and editing all kinds of tuplets (duplets, triplets, quadruplets etc.)

Vincent Kantorski,

This is a misunderstanding.

You can not “at one fell swoop” (e. g. a single mouse-click) enter a {string of multiple rhythmical values}, like e. g. {dotted 8th & 16th} or {three triplet 8ths}.

A {string of multiple rhythmical values} is what you mean by your phrase ”rhythmic figure”, right?

You can only enter one rhythmic value at a time.

To enter the figure {three triplet 8ths} you enter the three 8ths one at a time.

The {triplets icon} is the icon for the so called Tuplet Tool.

It is a specialized tool for creating and editing any tuplet - 4-tuplet, 5-tuplet &c. - as a simple tuplet, as a mixed tuplet, as a nested tuplet.

Also, the Simple Entry Tool has its own Tuplet sub-Tool that lets you enter tuplets (but not edit tuplets).

There is even a keyboard shortcut to the Tuplet sub-Tool.

Similarly, the Speedy Entry Tool has its own Tuplet sub-Tool, with a handy keyboard shortcut.

Thank you!  

This is not a perfect method, but might speed things up. It's a copy/paste method, then edit the notes.

1. Write the first measure.
2. Copy measure 1 to measure 2. Copy measures 1,2 to 3,4. Copy measures 1,2,3,4 to 5,6,7,8 (etc.)
3. Click on first note of second measure.
4. Use up/down arrows to move the note.
5. Use right arrow to go to next note.
6. Repeat 4 and 5 until finished.

PrintMusic, like full Finale, has Quickstart How-To videos. I suggest you watch some of them to get yourself started with the program. Presumably the trial version has access to these help files, and believe me, they will save you loads of time familiarizing yourself with your trial version.