Copyright: Macro Manager (c) 1993/1994 John Ruzicka


Contents
Macro Manager

Version 5.0 (c)1993/1994 JSR/John Ruzicka

Shareware Notice

ShareWare users are free to use this program to determine if it meets their needs.   If it does, please register.  Registered users get technical support, information on new versions, and the most recent version of the program.

To Register:

Send a check or money order for $25 to:

     John Ruzicka
     1290 25th Avenue #301
     San Francisco, CA 94122

CIS: 75160,2376

You can also register on CompuServe by going to CompuServe SWREG forum and choosing ID #2284

Introducing Macro Managerl

Entering Macros

EZ-Edit

Special Keys

Temporarily Disabling Macro Manager

Global Macros

Inserting a Pause

Using the Numeric Counter

Multi-play

Printing a List of Macros

Saving and Loading Macro Files

Trigger Keys

Key Position

Safety

Program Options

Hints and Tips

Troubleshooting


About Macro Manager

The Macro Recorder that comes with Windows is powerful, but is not designed for power typists.  Too many steps are required to use the Recorder to do basic things.

Many individual programs let you program macros, but, unfortunately, most of their CONTROLl and ALT key combinations are already assigned, and pressing weird key combinations such as SHIFT+ALT+CONTROL+a letter is a hassle.

Macro Manager overcomes these hassles by using a two-key macro entry system.  With Macro Manager, 26 keys (A-Z) can be programmed to type out any number of other keystrokes to any Windows application.  For example, you can program the "A" key to type your full address.

Macro Manager uses a trigger or trigger keys that you choose.  When you press the trigger key the Macro Manager window appears and waits for you to type a letter.  The next letter you type triggers the macro for that letter.  For example, if you've programmed the "A" key to type "Have a nice day," and your trigger key is the star (*) on the numeric keypad, then pressing "*A" types "Have a nice day" into whatever program you are running.

Macro manager only traps the keys you've set as triggers so it does not slow down Windows. Macro manager is NOT affected by macros built into common programs such as WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, etc.  This means, for example, you can play back a macro manager keystroke in the middle of a WordPerfect macro.

Macro Manager supports special characters, pauses and date and time stamping.  It has a numeric counter and multi-play feature.  The EZ-Edit mode lets you enter special characters automatically.

To use Macro Manager, simply switch to the Macro Manager screen and type the keystrokes you want to substitute, or use EZ-Edit.  Use ~ (tilde) for a CARRIAGE RETURN.  See "Entering and Playing Back Macros" and "Special Keys" for more information.

Macro Manager has an AutoLoad feature which will start any other program.  For example, if you always use Macro Manager with WordPerfect for Windows, you can have WordPerfect automatically start whenever Macro Manager is loaded.

You can change many options from within Macro Manager.  Macro Manager also comes with two automatic pre-sets, Default Beginner Options and Default Expert Options.  These are available under the "Options Menu"

Entering and Playing Back Macros

Special Keys

Multi-play

EZ-Edit

Autoload

Options Menu


Entering Macros
Entering and Playing Back Macros

The main Macro Manager screen appears when you first run the program.  There are 26 spaces, one for each letter of the alphabet, and 10 digits, 0-9.  0-9 are global macros, which are always available regardless of which macro file is loaded.

Global Macros

To enter a macro for a particular key, choose a letter to trigger that macro by clicking on that letter, or pressing CTRL+SHIFT+letter, where letter is the letter of the macro you want to define.  The EZ-Edit screen will appear.

Next, type the keystrokes you want sent to your Windows program whenever the trigger key and that letter are typed.  Be sure to enter special keys correctly, or use the "Code Mode" feature (see EZ-Edit for more information).

NOTE: Advanced users, and users of previous versions, can continue typing macros directly into the boxes to the right of the letters, if desired.

Choose a trigger or trigger keys from the "Trigger" menu.  Choose "Save as default" to permanently save the triggers you've chosen.

Click on "About" to see information about the program.  Click on "File" to start a new macro file, save the current macro file or save the current macro file under another name.  Click on "File" and choose "Print macro list" or "print form" to print a list of macros.

EZ-Edit

Saving and Loading Macro Files

Printing Macro Files

NOTE: The default macro file loaded when macro manager starts is called "JSR.MAC."  You may want to save your most commonly used macros in this file.  The default global macro file is called "GLOBAL.MAC."

NOTE: Macro manager cannot send keys to a DOS program running in a window.

When you are done entering macros, switch back to your program.  Macro Manager runs in the background, waiting for you to type the trigger key.   Note: Certain characters are special keys and must be entered in a special way.

To play back a macro, press the trigger you've chosen.  The small "reminder" window, which contains a keyboard icon, will appear on screen at the position you've chosen (see "Position menu").  Type the letter of the macro you want to play back.  The keystrokes will be sent to your application, and you'll be returned to your original application, automatically.

To unload Macro Manager from memory, choose "Exit" from the File menu.

Special Keys

Position Menu

Minimizing and Maximizing Macro Manager

Macro Manager normally runs in a maximum size window.  This means when you press the trigger key you can see a list of macros available.  Running in the maximum size window, however, slows things down slightly because the screen must redraw each time you press the trigger.

Running Macro Manager minimized to an icon greatly improves its speed, and is less distracting to the eyes.  Once you have a macro file set up the way you want it, it is recommended that you print out a list of macros and run Macro Manager minimized.

You can quickly toggle between minimized and maximized mode, without having to use the mouse, by pressing the trigger key, followed by "."   A menu of choices will appear.  Choose "Show the Macro Sheet" (Alt-S) to maximize Macro Manager, and move the cursor to the main Macro Manager screen.  Choose "Minimize the macro sheet" (Alt-M) to minimize Macro Manager.

NOTE: If "Invisible When Minimized" is checked in the Options menu, the Macro Manager icon will not be visible when the program is minimized.  The program will continue to work, and can be restored at any time by pressing the trigger, plus ".", plus "Show the Macro Sheet."


Global Macros

The keys 0-9 work as Global Macros.  Global Macros are the same as regular macros, except they are always accessible.  For example, you may have a macro file called "JobOne" and another macro file called "JobTwo."  The global macros will be the same regardless of whether the "JobOne" or "JobTwo" file is loaded.

Global macros are saved and loaded automatically in a file called GLOBAL.MAC.


EZEdit
EZ-Edit

Introduction

EZ-Edit is the easiest way to create new macros, and edit old ones.  The EZ-Edit screen appears when you click on a letter or number in the main screen, or press CTRL+SHIFT+letter from the main screen.  The cursor appears in a a large text window.

The large text window is where a macro is edited.  If you are creating a simple macro, such as one or two words, simply type them, then press "Exit EZ-Edit" (or press Alt-X).  That's all there is to it.

The procedure for inserting special characters is described below, under "Code Mode".

NOTE: In EZ-Edit mode, pressing CTRL-V (paste) inserts the clipboard contents, automatically formatted for Macro Manager, i.e. all special characters are converted automatically to their appropriate Macro Manager representation.  If you want to paste *without* conversion occurring, paste on the main macro screen, and not in EZ-Edit.

Special Keys

Main Editing Area

This is where the macro is edited.

Macro Description

Describes the macro (optional)

Macro Description

Code Mode

When code mode is on, any keystrokes you type are entered into the macro.  For example, pressing the up arrow when code mode is active inserts "{UP}" into the macro.  Pressing the backspace key inserts {BACKSPACE}.  This feature is useful for automatically entering special keys.  For example, if code mode is on, pressing { automatically inserts {}} into the macro. ("}" is a special character).

To switch from Code Mode back to normal mode, click on "Normal Mode" or press the {PAUSE} key.

Exit Full Screen Edit

Exits full screen editing mode and returns you to the main Macro Manager screen.

Pause

Inserts a pause into the macro.

Inserting a Pause

Numeric Counter

Inserts a command for the numeric counter into the macro.

Numeric Counter

Short, Medium and Long Date and Time

Inserts a command to include the short, medium or long date or time in your macro.  When the macro is played back, this code is replaced with teh short, medium or long date or time.

Special Keys


Special Keys

Macro manager uses special notations to represent certain keys.  To insert a special key into a macro, type the representation of that key.  For example, to insert a hard return into a macro, you would type {ENTER} or ~.

NOTE: Macro Manager will display an error message if you haven't entered special keys correctly.

NOTE: To enter any of the following characters: [, ], ~, { and }, +, %, ^, ( and ) you must enclose them in braces {}

NOTE: Macro Manager's EZ-Edit Code Mode will automatically insert special characters into your macros for you.

EZ-Edit

TO ENTER:           TYPE:

Backspace            {BACKSPACE}, {BS} or {BKSP}
Break                    {BREAK}
Caps Lock             {CAPSLOCK}
Clear                     {CLEAR}
Del                        {DELETE} or {DEL}
Down Arrow           {DOWN}
End                       {END}
Enter                     {ENTER} or ~
Esc                       {ESCAPE} or {ESC}
Home                    {HOME}
Ins                        {INSERT}
Left Arrow              {LEFT}
Num Lock              {NUMLOCK}
Page Down            {PGDN}
Page Up                {PGUP}
Right Arrow            {RIGHT}
Scroll Lock            {SCROLLLOCK}
Tab                       {TAB}
Up Arrow               {UP}
F1-F12                  {F1}-{F12}

DATES AND TIMES:
Long Date              {ld}
Medium Date         {md}
Short Date             {sd}
Long Time              {lt}
Medium Time         {mt}
Short Time             {st}
Weekday               {wd}

NOTE: The various date and time format commands are defined in the "International" section of the Windows control panel.  Changing these control panel settings affects the format in which Macro Manager outputs dates and times.

NOTE: For backward compatibility, Macro Manager continues to support {@} and {!} for long and short date, respectively.  Please begin using the new codes, {ld} and {sd}, because {@} and {!} will not be supported in future versions.

Pause                   {pause} or {|}
Counter                 {#}

Inserting a Pause

Using the Numeric Counter

To send keys combined with Shift, Ctrl, and/or Alt, precede the key code with one or more of these codes:

Key	Code
Shift	+
Control	^
Alt	%

To indicate Shift, Ctrl, and/or Alt should be held down while several other keys are pressed, enclose the key codes in parentheses.  For example, to hold down the Shift key while "test" is typed, "+(test)".  To specify repeating keys, use {key number}; using a space between key and number.  For example, {UP 10} means press the Up Arrow 10 times.

NOTE: The date and weekday can be made uppercase by putting the code in parentheses and using the + key.  For example, the code "+({wd})" inserts the day of the week, in uppercase, into the macro file.

Macro Manager lets you add a description to the beginning of each macro.  The "{*" keys at the beginning of a macro indicate the beginning of a description, the "}" indicate the end of a description.

Macro Description


Inserting a Pause

Macro Manager has the ability to pause a macro while it playing so you can insert keystrokes that may differ each time the macro is played.

Use the keys "{|}" or {pause} to insert a pause.

NOTE:  The | key alone sends a "|" to your application.  It must be enclosed in braces to trigger a pause.

When Macro Manager encounters a pause, a special window opens.  The top part of the window shows the keys that will be sent to your application.  Any pauses are shown as {|} or {pause}.

In the bottom part of the window, type the text that is to be inserted, and then press {ENTER} or {OK}.  The top of the pause window shows any keystrokes that will precede the keystrokes you are typing.

NOTE: To insert a carriage return as part of the text, use the tilde character "~".

NOTE: Macro Manager does not send the keystrokes to your application until all text has been entered for that macro.  This saves time because it prevents the screen Windows from being constantly redrawn.

CAUTION!: If, during a pause, you terminate the application that is to receive the macro keystrokes when the pause is done, you will cause an error.

EXAMPLE: The following example pauses twice for the user to enter their name and birthday.

     "Hello, my name is {|} and I am {|} years old!"

NOTE: You cannot play a macro into the pause window.

NOTE: Be sure to enter special keys correctly in the pause window.

Special Keys


Numeric Counter

The keys {#} in a macro are replaced with the value of the numeric counter.

The numeric counter is useful for macros that contain numbered lists.  For example, the following macro prints a number, waits for input and then types the item into a list.

     {#}.  {|}.~

Playing this macro three times might result in the following:

     1. Item one
     2. Item two
     3. Item three

The "Counter Value" box contains the next value that will be output by the counter.  To change that value, simply click on the box and type in a new value.

The "Increment" box contains the amount to add to the counter each time.

NOTE: The counter value is saved when you exit Macro Manager unless you check "Reset Counter on Start" in the menu under "Options."

NOTE: The counter value and increment value can be fractional or negative.  For example, typing 1.1 in the counter box and .2 in the increment box produces the following output: 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7 etc.  Typing -1 in the increment box produces the following output: 1, 0, -1, -2, -3 etc.  Setting the increment value box to 0 means the same number will be output each time the numeric counter is output.

CAUTION: A non-numeric value in the counter value or increment box is treated as 0.  When the increment box value is zero, the value of the counter never increases.

NOTE: The numeric counter is especially useful with Macro Manager's multi-play feature, which lets you automatically play back a macro up to 100 times without having to retype the trigger keys.

Multi-play

Reset

Pressing the "Reset" button resets the numeric counter to 1.  It does not change the increment value.

Reset Counter on Start

Selecting "Reset Counter on Start" in the options menu will reset the counter and increment values to 1 each time Macro Manager starts.

NOTE: Be sure to choose "Save Options," otherwise this option will never take effect.


Multi Play

Macro Manager has the ability to replay a macro up to 100 times at once.  This is convenient, for example, for creating a numeric list, or for writing a macro for repetitive data entry.

To play a macro more than once, without having to repeatedly enter the trigger and keystrokes for that macro, press the trigger key, followed by the period key "."  Choose "Play a macro multiple times" (Pressing <ALT+P> is the shortcut).  Next, type the letter or number of the macro you want to play back multiple times and hit <ENTER>.  Then, type how many times you want to play the macro back and hit <ENTER>.

NOTE: If you enter 0 or a value larger than 100 you will get an error message.

EXAMPLE:
If your trigger key is the star (*) key, and you have macro A defined as follows:

     This is item {#}.~

typing *.<ALT-P>a<ENTER>5<ENTER> sends the following to your application:

     This is item 1.
     This is item 2.
     This is item 3.
     This is item 4.
     This is item 5.

NOTE: If your macro contains pauses, and Safety is enabled, the keystrokes are sent to your application after each run of the macro.  If Safety is disabled, the keystrokes are not sent until all data for all macros has been entered.

NOTE: It is not recommended that you type any keystrokes during multiplay.

NOTE: Multiplay is not compatible with all applications or systems.  Please try it before relying on it.


Macro Description

Macro Manager lets you enter a description of your macro.  This is useful if your macro consists of  a lot of special keys.  Without the description, it's easy to forget what a macro does.

The description is optional.  If you want to enter a description there are two ways to do it.

The easiest is to go into EZ-Edit mode, and type the description in the "Macro Description" box.

EZ-Edit

The other way to enter a description is to begin the description with "{*" and end it with "}."  Here's  a sample macro with a description:

          {*Type the name of this program}Macro Manager

NOTE: The description MUST be the first thing in a macro.  If the characters "{*" appear elsewhere they will be treated as special characters and, possibly, cause an error.


Saving and Loading Files

The "Files" menu lets you save and load custom macro files.

New

Selecting "New" creates a new macro file.  If the current macro file has changed, you will be asked if you really want to clear the macro screen.  If you choose "Yes" and the current screen has changed since the last save, you will be asked if you want to save the current file.  Choosing "Yes" saves the changes, "No" does not and "Cancel" aborts the creation of the new macro file.  You will then be asked to give the new file a name.  Choose any name.  If that file already exists, you will be asked if you want to overwrite it.

Open

Selecting "Open" opens a previously saved macro file.

Save

Selecting "Save" writes the current macro file to disk, overwriting the previous version.

Save As

Selecting "Save As" lets you save the current macro file under a new name.  If the new name you choose already exists, you will be asked if you want to overwrite the file.

NOTE: "JSR.MAC" is the name of the file automatically loaded when Macro Manager starts.  If you want a different file to automatically load, simply save "JSR.MAC" under a new name, load the new default file and save that file as "JSR.MAC."

NOTE: "GLOBAL.MAC" is the name of the global macro file.  Global Macros are not cleared when new macro files are created.

CAUTION: If you save a normal macro file under the name "GLOBAL.MAC," only the first 10 entries of that file will be loaded the next time the program is run.


Printing Macro Files

PRINT MACRO LIST

Selecting "Print Macro List" from the "Files" menu prints out a list of all macros in the current file, and a list of global macros.  Printing out a list can help you remember all of your macros once a macro file is full.  With a printed list, you can minimize Macro Manager.  That greatly speeds up its operation because all available macros don't have to be shown each time macro manager is activated.

NOTE: If a macro is too long to print on one line, the printout is truncated.

PRINT FORM

Selecting "Print Form" from the "Files" menu prints out the Macro Manager form as it appears on your screen.  This option produces a more compact output than "Print Macro List."


Key Position

This option lets you choose where on the screen the macro manager "reminder" appears.  The "reminder" is the small keyboard icon that appears when macro manager has been activated.

There are nine options, from top left to bottom right and the "invisible" option, which means the keyboard does not appear.

To save your choice for future sessions, choose "Save"

NOTE: You can also turn off the Macro Manager icon when the program is minimized by selecting "Invisible When Minimized" from the Options menu. This is not recommended for casual users because you might forget Macro Manager is running.


Autoload

You can have Macro Manager automatically loaded another program when it starts.  To do this, choose <O>ptions, then <A>utoload.

Type the directory of the program you want to run in "Directory"

Type the name of the program you want to run in "Program"

Type optional parameters, if any, into "Parameters"

Check the "Activate Autoload" button to active automatic loading, or uncheck it to deactivate autoload.

If you want Macro Manager to be automatically minimized on startup, check the "Minimize Macro Manager" box.

When you click "OK" you'll be asked if you want to save those options.  If so, check yes, otherwise choose no.  If you check yes, any other options you've changed, such as screen position, will also be saved.


Options Menu

The options menu gives you the following choices.  Here's what they mean.

Trigger

Lets you choose which key or keys trigger macro playback.

Trigger

Position

Lets you set the position of the reminder window that appears when a macro is about to run.

Position

Invisible When Minimized

This option makes the Macro Manager icon invisible when the program is minimized.  To get the program back, press the trigger key, then period, then "Show Macro Form."

Safety Always Off

Keeps the "Safety" feature off at all times.

WARNING: This is an advanced option that should only be used by experienced users.

Safety

Reset Counter on Start

Macro Manager saves the value of the numeric counter, and the increment value, automatically when you exit the program.  If you choose "Reset Counter on Start" then the counter and increment value are automatically reset to "1" when the program starts.

Numeric Counter

Autoload Options

Sets up Macro Manager to automatically run another program whenever Macro Manger is loaded.

Autoload

Save Options

Saves the current options as the Macro Manager defaults.  The next time Macro Manager loads, it will load with the options last saved.

NOTE: You must choose "Save Options" for the "Reset Counter on Start" option to work.

Default Beginner Options

Returns Macro Manager to the default options the program used when the program was first installed.  These are the options found to be most comfortable for beginners.  Beginner options uses the keypad * key as the trigger, positions Macro Manager reminder in the middle of the screen and turns off "Invisible when minimized" and "Safety Always Off"
Trigger--Keypad

Default Expert Options

These are the options experienced users are most comfortable with.  There are two triggers, the keypad * or the keyboard ` key, the Macro Manager reminder keyboard is invisible and Safety is always off.

NOTE: Neither Default Beginner or Default Expert options affect the settings of "Reset Counter on Start" or "Invisible when Minimized."


Trigger

The Trigger option in the Options menu lets you choose which key or keys will trigger macro manager to play back a macro.  You have four choices.  They are:

/     The slash key on the numeric keypad
/     The slash key on the keyboard
*     The star key on the numeric keypad
`     The single left quote character

Macro manager can be set to detect any or all of those keys.

To save the keys you have selected as the default, choose "Save"

NOTE: To send the trigger key itself to an application press the spacebar after typing the trigger key.  For example, typing slash, space sends a slash to your application.

NOTE: If you turn off all trigger keys, Macro Manager won't work.  The program warns you when this situation exists.

NOTE: The "Safety" option determines if macros can be nested.

Safety

NOTE: If you press a trigger key accidentally, pressing <ESC> cancels it.


Safety

The "Safety" option determines if macros can be nested and if a macro must be played completely before another macro can be played.  This is an advanced option casual users don't need to worry about.  Macro Manager automatically chooses the proper safety option.  Safety is automatically turned on when the keyboard slash (/) and/or keyboard accent (`) key are chosen as triggers, and automatically turned off otherwise.  Only override the Safety option if you are trying to nest macros.

When "Safety" is not checked and the keyboard slash key (/) or accent key (`) are chosen as triggers, macros can call other macros.  This can be a useful feature, but also a dangerous one.  For example, look at the following two macros:

A:  This is Macro A /b
B:  This is Macro B /a

Playing Macro A while "Safety" is checked produces the following output:

This is Macro A /b

Playing Macro A while "Safety" is not checked causes Macro A to call Macro B, and Macro B to call Macro A, thus creating an endless loop.  The output is as follows:

This is Macro A This is Macro B This is Macro A This is Macro B, etc.

The only way out of this loop is to terminate Macro Manager or reboot.

The disadvantage of having Safety on is that it requires one macro to completely finish playing before another macro can be played.  For example, look at the following two macros.

A: This is Macro A
B: This is Macro B

If Safety is on and the trigger key is the keyboard slash, typing /a/b very quickly will produce the following output:

This is Macro A/b

That happens because Macro A has not finished playing before Macro B was chosen.

NOTE: Advanced users can choose "Safety Always Off" from the Options menu.  This disables the safety feature when Macro Manager starts.

NOTE: If you only use the numeric keypad slash (/) or star (*) as triggers then safety can always be left off and has no effect.

NOTE: Macro Manager automatically turns Safety on when the keyboard slash (/) or accent (`) key are chosen as triggers and automatically turns off safety when the keypad star (*) or keypad slash (/) are chosen are triggers, unless "Safety Always Off" is chosen from the Options menu.

NOTE: If the keyboard slash (/) key and/or accent (`) is chosen as a trigger, Safety is temporarily turned on when sending a slash or accent to an application.  Otherwise, the slash or accent itself would trigger Macro Manager to activate itself, thus preventing a slash or accent from being entered.


Disabling
Disable

The "Disable" check box temporarily disables Macro Manager.  To re-enable Macro Manager simply uncheck the box.  Disabling Macro Manager does not change the trigger keys you have selected, it simply disables their detection temporarily.

NOTE: Macro Manager is also effectively disabled if no trigger keys are selected.  The program will warn you if this occurs.


Hints and Tips

I keep getting the message "Macro improperly uses special keys."  What am I doing wrong?

This message is usually caused because there are improper parentheses (), brackets [] or braces {} in a macro.  Remember, such keys must be enclosed in braces.  For example, to send "(hi there)" to your application you need to enter the following: "{(}hi there {)}".  The best way to prevent this from occurring is to use EZ-Edit mode, which enters the correct codes.  See "Special Characters" for more information.

Special Keys

How can I make Macro Manager run faster?

Macro Manager runs much faster when it is minimized because it doesn't have to redraw the screen.  Once you've got a macro file pretty much the way you want it, use <F>ile, <Pr>rint Macro List to print a reference list of macros.  Then, minimize macro manager to an icon.  Macros will now play back much more quickly.

Can I use the keyboard to minimize and maximize Macro Manager?

Yes.  Using the keyboard to minimize and maximize Macro Manager is faster than using the mouse.  To maximize, press the trigger key followed by ">".  To minimize, press the trigger key followed by "<"

Is there a quick way to delete all the global macros?

Delete the file "GLOBAL.MAC."  The next time Macro Manager is run it will be recreated automatically, but be empty.

How do I make a specific macro file load automatically?

The file "JSR.MAC" is loaded automatically when macro manager starts.  To make another file the default file simply rename it to "JSR.MAC."  For example, to make "MYFILE.MAC" the default, delete "JSR.MAC" (or copy it to another name), then rename "MYFILE.MAC" to "JSR.MAC."

How do I enter a new macro and play it back immediately?

After pressing the trigger key, click on the main Macro Manager screen.  Type in the text for the new macro.  Press ALT-F6 and then the key for that macro.

Sometimes a macro does not play.  Sometimes the trigger key does not work.

If a macro does not play, check to make sure you have defined a macro for a specific key. If a trigger key does not work, check the Trigger menu to make sure it is selected as a trigger.  See the NOTES: under "Trigger" for more specific information.

Trigger Keys

How Can I have more than 26 macros at once?

More than 26 macros are accessible at once by running more than one copy of macro manager and using different trigger keys.  For example, if you load macro manager and make the numeric keypad * the trigger, then load macroman again and make the numeric keypad slash the trigger, you have effectively given yourself 52 macros.  Pressing *a will play back a different macro than the keypad slash.  The extra memory required to run a second copy of macro manager is minimal, since it will share the same DLLs (dynamic link libraries) as the first copy.

NOTE: Unpredictable results will be obtained if you run more than one copy of Macro Manager using the same trigger keys.

NOTE: If you run more than one copy of macro manager, the global macros in the last copy of Macro Manager running will be the global macros that are saved.  For example, if you run 3 copies of Macro Manager (1, 2 and 3) and exit copies 1 and 3, the global macros saved will be those in copy 2.

The keystrokes for long and short date have changed.  Will my old macros still play back properly?

Yes.  {@} and {!} still work for long and short date.  The new special keys {ld} and {sd}, however, are easier to remember and will be supported in future versions of Macro Manger.  It is recommended that you begin using these keystrokes, and gradually phase out the use of {@} and {!}.

Can I play back a macro many times in a row without having to keep typing the trigger keys?

Yes!  Macro Manager's multi-play feature lets you send the same macro keystrokes to an application up to 100 times without having to re-type the trigger keys again and again.  See the "Multi-play" section for more information.

Multi-play


Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting and Incompatibilities

Multiplay

Multiplay is not compatible with the Norton Desktop Editor.  It may be incompatible with other programs.  Please try it before using it.

WordPerfect for Windows

Macro Manager does not work in overtype mode in WordPerfect for Windows.  The program works fine in Insert mode.

Keystrokes sent from Macro Manager are not automatically expanded by WordPerfect's autocorrect feature.  This is a problem with WordPerfect because characters typed within WordPerfect itself are not expanded if a Macro is running or if a user types too fast at the end of a line
.

DOS Programs

Macro Manager does not work with DOS programs running in Windows.  For such programs, it is suggested you use a batch file to load a program such as PROKEY or SUPERKEY, and then the DOS program you want to run.  DON'T load PROKEY or SUPERKEY before running Windows.