The Macro Recorder can be kept in your Windows system tray, and used on demand, or started with a command-line parameter that specifies the action and macro name.
Basics
- Double-left-click on the Macro Recorder icon in the Windows system tray OR press Win+Shift+R to start/stop recording.
- Right-click (once) on the Macro Recorder icon in the Windows system tray for play back and other options.
- Scroll Lock stops recording.
Recording - Normal Mode
- Start Macro Recorder
- Double-click on the Macro Recorder Icon in the Windows system tray with your left mouse button OR press Win+Shift+R. You will be prompted for a file name that the macro will be stored in. Once you have entered a file name, recording begins.
- Use your mouse and keyboard as you normally would. Note that some applications may not always open their windows in the same locations. Keyboard shortcuts often provide more accuracy.
- When you are done, again click on the Macro Recorder Icon with your left mouse button (once) OR press Win+Shift+R OR press the "Scroll Lock" key.
Playing - Normal Mode
- Start Macro Recorder
- Click on the Macro Recorder Icon with your right mouse button and select play OR press Win+Shift+P. You will be prompted for a file name of a stored macro to play back. Playback begins as soon as you select the file name and press OK.
- Your mouse and keyboard will repeat the macro.
- The macro playback cannot be interrupted.
- When the macro has finished playing, control will be returned to your keyboard and mouse.
Recording - Command Line Mode
- Start Macro Recorder with a single command line parameter RECORD=filename.mac.
- Recording begins immediately.
- Use your mouse and keyboard as you normally would. Note that some applications may not always open their windows in the same locations. Keyboard shortcuts often provide more accuracy.
- When you are done, again double-click on the Macro Recorder Icon with your left mouse button OR press Win+Shift+R OR press the “Scroll Lock” key.
Playing - Command Line Mode
- Start Macro Recorder with a single command line parameter PLAY=filename.mac.
- Playback begins immediately.
- When the macro has finished playing, control will be returned to your keyboard and mouse.
Tips
- Macros can be called from within Schedule Wizard scripts.
- Macros can be exported to the Schedule Wizard script format.
- When using macros within Schedule Wizard scripts, remember to specify “Wait for Program End”, or ensure that the script items that follow the macro call will not send keystrokes while the macro is playing.
- You can create Windows (hot key) shortcuts to specific macros.
Limitations
- Events are recorded and played back at the speed that they are performed. The separate “ADS Macro Editor” can be used to alter the speed.
- Macros record the exact movement of your mouse, and key presses, so if the location of windows change, your results will likely change as well! ***
- Some Windows system-reserved “hot keys” cannot be recorded. Examples are the “Shortcut Key” for a Windows application, Alt-Tab and Ctrl-Break.
- Some keystrokes in DOS sessions cannot be recorded, depending on the application running.