Low shrinkage, fast drying spackling or joint compound

A spackling compound which comprises:

• 20-50% w/w calcium carbonate by total weight of the spackling compound,
• 5-20% w/w hollow glass microspheres by total weight of the spackling compound,
• 0.5-10% w/w of a binder by total weight of the spackling compound,
• 0.1-5% w/w of a humectant by total weight of the spackling compound,
• 0.1-3% w/w of a polyacid dispersant by total weight of the spackling compound, wherein the polyacid dispersant is a homopolymer or co-polymer of acrylic, methacrylic, crotonic and/or maleic acids and has a molecular weight in the range from 1,500 to 20,000 Daltons, and
• a rheology-modifying additive, and wherein the rheology-modifying additive includes 0.1-5% w/w of a cellulosic thickener and 8-20% w/w of a rheology-modifying clay by total weight of the spackling compound;
• and
• wherein when mixed with water, the spackling compound comprises water in an amount from 20% w/w to 50% w/w by total weight of the spackling compound.