Macro Express (3.0) Tips and Suggestions 7/05/02

1. Installation. When loading, recommend including Macro Express in Start Up (you will be prompted during the installation). Be sure to register the program within 30 days (an account number will be provided) or the program will shut down.

2. Two files are provided, diacritics.mex and functionkeys.mex (each will have a “latest date” included in the title as well). Recommend keeping both files (files should have the latest revision as part of the name). To avoid confusion, be sure that these “master files” are kept in Program Files/Macro Express. Diacritics.mex has all the function key macros included on functionkeys.mex in addition to the diacritics. On diacritics.mex, heavily used diacritics are mapped to the number pad roughly corresponding to the NOTIS keyboard, as well as to the regular keyboard. If the diacritics.mex file is being used, you can turn off the diacritics on the number pad by holding down the WIN key. Alternatively, you can switch to the functionkeys.mex file with the key sequence Ctrl+Number pad 5, since functionkeys.mex does not have diacritics mapped to the number pad. Toggle back to diacritics.mex with the same Ctrl+Number Pad 5.

3. Editing the provided files. A macro (Charge to Prep assigned to F7) is provided for use in the Circulation module that will enter the most heavily used patron code (for Cataloging, this will be a specific Prep. Team patron code assigned to members of a team). This macro must be edited to include the appropriate patron code digits for the particular team. To edit,

ü Find the macro in Macro Express edit. Click on the Nickname column to sort by name (Charge to Prep); or click on Activation to sort by key (F7).

ü When the macro is found, double click on its listing. Under Macro Script in the right window, double click on Text Type: prptm****.

ü Text type Keystrokes window will open. Replace the text prptm**** with the appropriate patron code for the unit you need to charge to. Click OK.

ü Click on File Menu and click on Save.

ü Test the macro in the Circulation module. (When available)

4. Macros based on recording of mouse positions are not readily transportable and in some cases may not work if you re-size your window. Use the Script Editor to record key strokes instead.

5. Only files (*.mex) can be sent as attachments; macros themselves cannot be sent as attachments. (Double clicking on an attachment icon in a Eudora message will do nothing. To import a macro from an attachment, see 3. below)

6. To import a macro from an e-mail attachment file:

ü Your target file (generally the one you have up when you’re working in Voyager) should be opened in Macro Express

ü Click on the Import Macro button on the toolbar

ü Click on Open File to open the Import Macro window

ü Click on the Up one level icon until you reach Eudora, then open the Attach folder

ü Find the appropriate *.mex file and double click on it. The Import Macros window will open

ü Select the macros you want to import with your mouse (or click Select All if you want all of them). This will activate the Import button.

ü Click on the Import button. You will generally get a successful import message.

ü If an imported macro has the same activation (hot key) as a macro already in your target file, you will get a notification message. Click OK. The imported macro will import without an activation. You can either assign a different activation, or delete the macro with the conflicting activation and then assign that activation to your imported macro. (You would do the latter if the imported macro is a replacement for a previously existing macro.)

7. Checklist for creating new macros:

ü The program under which you will run your macro should be running

ü Make sure your target file is up. Click on New Macro button on the toolbar or from menu, Macros, add Macro. Add Macro window will open

ü From the Add Macro window, select the hot-key to be used to activate the macro, then click on the Scripting Editor button. Assign your hot-key from Alt + Shift, Ctrl + Shift, or Win + Ctrl only. These ranges have been designated for individuals and specific teams. Your team may want to reserve one of these ranges for macros used by all or most members of the team.

ü Before you begin writing the script, click on the Properties tab and assign a Nickname; click on the Scope Tab and click on the Program Specific radio button, then click Select. Select Programs window will open

ü From the Select programs subwindow, select the program under which the macro will run. For the Voyager cataloging module, this will be CATALOG.EXE. Clicking on the program name will select it to the Selected Programs subwindow. Click the Add button. CATALOG.EXE will now appear under Select from a list of installed Programs; there will be a box Run if on Top checked below. Now click the OK button. Now click on the Script Tab to go back to the Scripting Editor

ü To create a simple text macro, click on A Text under Commands, then double click on Text Type. Text Type direct editor window will open.

ü To enter a function in the text type string, click on the function name in the menu. It will appear in brackets. Key in unbracketed text for the macro to type in. Click OK to save the string. <to save the macro itself, you need to click on the save icon on the toolbar after clicking OK>

ü Test macro. Sometimes it helps to save only a short string of commands and test to make sure the short string works before adding more commands. In Voyager, sometimes you need to include F8 to allow editing within a cell.

ü In some cases, you need to insert a delay of ca. 10 microseconds between command strings. Click on Timing under Commands, then double click on Delay. Be sure to select the radio button for microseconds and enter the number of microseconds. (The default is seconds so you must re-select)

ü When you add a command to a string, you may need to move it up or down in the sequence. Use the Up/Down arrows on the side of the window to do this.

ü Housekeeping. Keep a backup file of custom macros (macros assigned in the ranges reserved for customization). It should be relatively easy to obtain a copy of the standard macros, but no one will ordinarily have a copy of your custom macros.

8. Exporting. Don’t use the export button, generally. Instead, open the target file by clicking on the Open Macro File folder on the toolbar, then selecting and double clicking on the appropriate *.mex file to open it. With the target file open, click on the Import macro button on the toolbar, and when the Import window opens, select and double click on the source file. Select the macros you want and click on the Import button.

9. Menus. The diacritics.mex file includes a popup menu of heavily used diacritics. To create a popup menu you must have already have a set of macros in your *.mex file. With the appropriate *.mex file open,

ü Click on Add a macro button (or menu MacrosàAdd a macro). Add a Macro window will open,

ü Click on the Popup Menu radio button

ü Assign a hot key, then click on the now activated Build a Menu button.

ü Available macros will appear in the upper window, and you click on the Add to add to your menu. Be sure to click on the Properties tab to assign a Nickname and the Scope tab to restrict to Catalog.exe.

ü You can edit the Popup pad, adding new macros with the insert arrows, taking off macros you find you don’t need, and you can move the macros up and down with the up/down arrows on the right.

ü TIP: the activation name begins with Popup menu if you need to find the menu in the macro list and you haven’t assigned a category to it.

10. The same function key or key sequence can run different macros in different modules. (If the scope is set properly)

11. Important Macro Express System key sequences:

ü Ctrl+Alt+Shift+z Opens the list of macros that apply to the topmost window. If you click on any of the macros displayed on the list, it will run. To close the list, use the standard Windows command Alt+F4.

ü Ctrl+Alt+Shift+v. Terminates Macro Express. (To re-start: ProgramsàMacro ExpressàMacro Express 3 <NOT Macro Express 2>

ü Ctrl+Alt+Shift+w Opens Macro Express Editor