allstarleb

You might want to check out my page on working with tabular data. It sounds like you're' doing it but there might be something in there for you.

 

As for writing CSV accumulate your output in a string variable and then write it all at once into a CSV file. That is do it all internally in MEP. No office apps.

 

What you are describing is 'flat file' work, not really database. If I were you I would drive this off of a SQL server. It's easy to learn the kind of things you want to do. Say you want to get the city of an employee. It's almost English. "Select City from Employees where EmployeeID = 24". In fact I think that would pass a grammar check. Where you are headed will cost you a huge amount of time writing routines to sort and manipulate data. You are reinventing SQL Server. It's all been done before and it's free. And MEP has almost no capability for efficiently processing and using tabular data. All one can do is create a series of arrays which emulate columns of data. Congratulations, you just invented the most basic part of a Db Server, A table.

 

This is also why I thought it would be nice to have a simple SQL addon. for MEP. The built in sqlcmd.exe I think will do this but I've never used it before. Since it's command line one might be able to run it from a file input.

 

I keep recommending thing that you reject because they're different or more complex. True they are different but they are simple and the road you're heading down is rocky and goes over the top of a mountain. There's a nice paved road already built down here in the valley. I have done exactly what you are trying to do and I pushed MEP to become a huge program doing many things for my clients. It made me very knowledgeable in MEP but in retrospect it was a mistake. I should have stopped and learned to program much sooner. It only took me a day to write my first program the replaced a macro that was hundreds of lines of code long and terribly unreliable. I think the subroutine was 7 lines long.

Hi Cory,

Thank you, what about something like this;

http://www.winautomation.com/

I heard it's good and much more advanced, is that true?

?

Hey Everyone,

I am working with arrays, csv excel files, and I have a database that I want to access to do "stuff". I am using the ASCIII file begin/end process to create an array of the various columns in excel and would like to know how I can "search" the arrays for things I want. So for example, I want to search arrays 1-99 to find anything that has "test" in it, and if it does then do this. I've created a counter, created a "get array length", made the counter use the array length to loop until, and search all of them for whatever variable I want. This is great, I can recall data but I am not sure how I can optimally write data.
What is the most optimal way to write to csv files? So if i have a user input "stuff" how do i make it append the csv file without physically "opening" the csv and clicking the retarded amount of "ok" and "yes" window in my office 2016 program because microsoft thinks I am too stupid to understand that csv is limited and wants to annoy the crap out of me. Meaning, is there a more optimal way of managing databses in MEP that allows me to work more efficiently?

My objective:
To have MEP take "stuff" and put it in a database to recall later in order to do other "stuff", this stuff can include filling out forms, perming tasks, sending out emails, sharing with other applications, opening applications, etc. I would like to have MEP as a generalist robot that has many functions and stores information for use whenever. For example, the CSV file feeds a KPI dashboard that displays metrics, so I want MEP to "feed" the csv file that will in-turn feed my metric system.

Keep in mind, I need the CSV to integrate with other programs seperate from MEP. Meaning, if i use a txt file, how can I make it automatically become a csv after? All the other applications I use integrate with CSV so this is important.

Some questions for the community pros;

1. What is best practice when working with csv databases and MEP?
2. What are some tips when using MEP to manage my databases?
3. Are there easier methods? I am open to another program that would integrate and is easy. (without getting into another language/more complex solutions)

Thank you!

Cheers,
Ali

Many of these things I have in mind like basing a command on RegEx could be very complex. Forms for instance have hundreds of possible control and each has hundred of parameters. I would want to keep it simple. In a way that has been ISS's philosophy with MEP all along. And it's smart. Otherwise one should just learn a programming language ;-)

Cory, I agree we need to learn programming.

For example, the form they have as a sample with the fancy stuff works. I understand the logic and can operate with it, but it's a completely separate eco system and not easy to work with. The objective is to make it easy for MEP users to do important things without needed to learn a new language.

Hey Cory,

I would love to test them out for you within my capacity and I think they would be a valuable addition to the community. I know you area busy person so this would be much appreciated, especially the multiple input form!
An optimal objective when programming these is to make them easy to use, simple, and powerful. So they take complex things and make it easy for users to plug and play to achieve the desired outcome without having to pop open the hood and fiddle around. So the ideal scenario is the user only has to input the parameters for these items to function and they function.

let me know if you need anything from me.

Cheers,

Ali

I started writing macros to do short little things on my computer. Then I started using it more like a programming language. Eventually almost all of them were very complex and running on a VM invisibly. I was constantly writing things like this. At one point I had a whole web page of things I had done. (I only have a few of them ported over now to the new website.) It was all a silly waste of time. When you start pushing something like that you're using the wrong tool. A screwdriver is a great tool and technically you can hang drywall with it but when your wrist starts getting sore in 10 minutes you will realize you should be using a screw gun. And don't get me wrong. I have and use screwdrivers all the time. And they have a lot of benefits. They're compact, simple to use and require no training, no moving parts so they never break, they don't require batteries. In modern programming languages just about every thing anyone ever wants to do is already done. .NET Framework for instance has thousands of ready to use chunks of code that one can access with a simple function. I have demonstrated here how to write a bubble sort routine for arrays but it's costly. In .NET it's a simple function. MEP is based on a language that has these capabilities but it could never compete and I wouldn't want to see it get more complex. But it's natural that when you start using such a capable tool like MEP to want to push it. And you can a little. Just know there's a better tool out there.

Hi Cory,

I agree MEP has it's limitations and great as a starter macro because it's easy to use and functional. It's like a personal macro maker without the need to dive into hardcore code, kinda like wordpress for websites minus the themes/plugins. It could still improve and expand it's reach by providing more collaboration for plugins, addons, and creating a market to make it deeper/richer like .NET. Everybody wins with that outcome.

I don't know how simple it would be to use for the average user. I was thinking I could create another form that would be a simple builder test window. Maybe some buttons to pop up a form in order to fill something in and then display the results. Then save that to a file to be used.

It would be great if there was a way to take this; http://i.imgur.com/Ck1LXlk.png

And make it produce this: http://i.imgur.com/IoLnR90.png

So a user can add form lists, radio button lists, check boxes, etc. to the menu on commend and can be handled via tabs to avoid a busy window. Then it will make making forms easy and functional. MEP allready has check boxes, radio buttons, and input fields, so the trick is to make it integrate in a visual way for users to easily create these nice menus.

Hey Cory,

Thanks for responding, I kinda did a ghetto job lol it works; http://i.imgur.com/9ubu1lR.pngsee screenshot

I didn't think something as simple as business days would be so much work around. They should have it built in so I am not manually copy pasting this for every time my macro needs to save files based on dates and to factor in business.

Actually never mind guys lol it was pretty easy, I create a date variable, then I subtract 31 days from that date variable and make a 1 month old date variable. I then if an IF statement that if the days are Sat/sunday then add 2 extra days. I could also theoretically do the same for holidays too.

Sharing with everyone just incase anyone else had this issue. f

Hey Eveyrone,

I tried to find something on this, i found a few peaces here n there but nothing that has worked so far.

Is there a simple way of just looking for business days? I just want my macro to go back but use business days so search for a date and if it falls on a saturday/sunday then go forward 2 days and use that date instead.

Thanks in advance,

ali

On multiple occasions here I have offered to create a simple program in .NET which would accept command line parameter that would allow a user to create a simple form. The parameter would use a text file that would have all the parameters of the form and controls. So imagine the text file might look like:

 

Each line would be another element that would be built at run time. Then all the results would be returned to the macro as text you can parse. But so far no one has expressed interest.

Hey Cory,

I am interested, I am interested in an easy menu creator and an easy form creator for MEP. Something brainless and easy to use, so they I can give it to my staff who knows the basics for MEP and they can create forms/menus easily instead of the basic stuff STOCK mep provides. As long as it integrates easily we are good.

Hey Cory,

What I was thinking is that the macro;
1. Can communicate with a server, website, or something similar that would look for a trigger, if trigger is found then open up a hidden window to delete the macro? So the trigger would instruct the same macro to create another macro to delete the specific macro after completion.
2. This can also be done without internet or web, so after the variable <DATE> is made, it creates another macro in a secret location (hidden window) and then that macro is executed at the end of the run.

Would that work?

hey if you dont' mind me asking Alexis, what does this command do?

There's a search button in the upper right corner of the screen:-) I don't remember exactly when it was and I post a lot of stuff here so that's how I would find it. I would rather you spend the time looking up the solution for your problem than me.

Hey Cory,

I found the solution, it wasn't on the forum. I noticed the forum's search function kinda sucks and it gives me many pointless hits. So I always ask because if you know, then great, if you don't then it's all good. If someone asks something and I know I always like to share the information because you don't really lose anything and if I am in their shoes i'd like to have someone just save me time and give me the information directly (more efficient).

So the solution was simply to just delete the parts you are not using. So if the window is "Inbox - email@email.com - Outlook" I would just have "- Outlook" as the window to be selected. Not perfect but close enough, very improbable that another window will be active that also has that ending. You can even have if window = "Inbox - " and "- Outlook" then do this... that way you can be "extra" sure it's the right window.

I'll mark my own post solved hehe

Hey Everyone,

I've been using the Vimium extension and it's pretty nice! I find myself using it more and more because it's so much faster to just use a keyboard without a mouse.

So my question is, anyone else use it too?
Whats the feedback?

Anything better out there?

I've seen a few windows version of the same thing, they give you a visual of all the clickable section of the windows operating system. I'd love to hear everyone feedback on this.

Thanks,

Ali

Hey Everyone,

Great community, very responsive and helpful, thank you!

I think i saw it a while back but wanted to know if it was feasible, I am wondering if it would be possible to have a self-destructing macro? Lets say I want to make sure a macro with someone that after a period of time it deletes itself. Maybe after 3 runs it sends a commend to itself to delete? I am not sure how the easiest way it can be done.

So the background is that I want to share a special macro that has sensitive stuff, I want them to use it for 2 days and then after that I want it to be deleted. It's allready password protected at 2 levels, just want to make "extra" sure.

Your ideas will be as always much appreciated.

Thank you,

Ali

Use Alt+Left Arrow to move to the Favorite Commands / Code Snippets / All Commands pane (depending on which is selected)

Use Alt+Right Arrow to move to the Script area (line code area)

Use Alt+Down Arrow to move to the Search for Command box

 

Once you highlight a command on the left, if you press the ENTER key it is inserted on the right side (the script area). You can choose where the commands are inserted by clicking Options and choosing "Insert Command Before Selected", "Insert Command After Selected" or "Add Command to End of Script".

 

The way I do this is to open a new, blank macro in the Script Editor, click Snippets, click on the snippet to put it in the script area, edit it, highlight it and save it as a Snippet.

 

I am not aware of another way to do this.

 

When writing macros I use the Search box extensively. For example, when I want a Text Box Display command I press Alt+Down Arrow, "text box d" and ENTER. I don't always type the entire thing. I may type "tex" and Down Arrow and then ENTER. I do not use Favorite Commands because I can search for my favorite commands so quickly.

Thank you so much for this, you answered all my questions in a very concise manner. I really appreciate it.

I am starting to use the search function, it seems pretty good and easy to use. I think this is a more effective method of quickly going through the commands and is more efficient then favorites for sure!

Hey Guys,

I do alot of tabbing between the favorite/line code area, is there a way I can get the short keys for this? I looked through the help files with no avail. For example i want a shortkey for that green arrow to bring a command from the left side to the right side, I dont' know what the short key for that is or where to even look. Here's a screenshot of what i am referring too. So the "insert command" before/after/end would be nice.

Also how do i modify established snippets?

Also is there an easier way to add something to favorites instead of ... OPTIONS.... customize favorites...?

Good point, I actually not only use outlook but also use mightytext, so I can actually integrate it very nicely with my phone via email/text commands. Never thought of this, even printing emails can now be done too, pretty much endless possibilities lol

I messed with a few of those products but gave up on them. Now I interact by generating my own HTTP Requests and manually processing the HTTP Responses. It's sounds really complicated but it was much simpler than I thought. Think of sending a simple ASCII text file to the server and it responding with a simple ASCII traxt file. That's about it. In most cases I use my browser to manually do something like send a form result and capture it with Fiddler. Then I identify the variable part, say a name for instance, and make that a variable in my code. Then I create my own request trying to emulate it. Then capture the response and do what I need to with it. No web browsers involved and super fast and reliable. And since the code didn't run in the web page the measures they take against automation never get a chance to run. And there's no button clicking. If you're ever interested let me know. I give free half hour initial consultation calls as well. And if you take what I give you in 30 minutes and do something for your benefit and I never make any money I'm happy for it.

Hi Cory, sure message me and perhaps we can chat.

Any plans for this? Works great on the PC.
Would be nice if we can have macros launched from my phone! Even better would be an integrated MEP that allows you to modify/edit macros or launch them from your phone, even better if it lets you do MEP stuff on your phone. Would be a good evolution for this software.

My first point is automating browsers with MEP is inherently problematic. I've spent literally thousands of hours trying to make browsers reliable for scraping and other automation. It is my opinion that impractical to make reliable macros for web automation. For that reason I learned to program again and now communicate directly to the web servers without a browser or even anything visible. It is reliable and fast to do it this way but if you don't know how to program then it's a big learning curve there.

 

But if you can tolerate occasional problems it can be done but it's a lot of work in MEP. And there are many ways like you're describing to navigate around. But IMHO there is no best way in general. Each web site has it's own challenges and I found that I what worked best for one failed in another. So I had a whole bevy of methods.

 

I will say however that I often tried to do methods like you mentioned that seemed shorter and easier. But in most cases I went back to tabbing. It seems that a lot of those short cuts eventually had some other kind of problem. Like the day a bit of text appears that matches your find string. Maybe you search for the "OK" button and then the first time an address appears in "Tulsa, OK" you're screwed.

I did play with imacro and did not really like it. I found the of failed ctrl f and tab to be tried and true. I noticed many website block the imacro stuff but not the mep.

So I guess if anyone can share really records tricks similar to ctrl f to navigate the Web will be much appreciated

Hey Everyone,

I use the "CTRL + F" then the "CTRL + ENTER" function heavily to navigate websites and documents, it works well but I was wondering if there was a more effective method of doing this?
So for example in a typical website there is a button, I would "CTRL + F" then the name of that button, then "CTRL + ENTER" then then it clicks it, I found this better then TABBING or MOUSE OVER. I was wondering if this is the best method or if there is a better method?

There is rarely a reason for a macro to activate an icon in the Notification Area / System Tray. Is there an executable that will accomplish the same thing? If yes, then you can do this with Macro Express:

 

Program Launch: "ABC.EXE" (Normal)

 

...in which you specify the program and its path as...

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Oracle\JavaFX 2.1 Runtime\bin\plugin2\ABC.EXE

 

This more programmatic approach gets around knowing what is on the System Tray and where it appears in the System Tray. There is also no need to position the mouse, because the command line accesses a file directly.

I tried this but it doesn't load, for example I use the Logitech G600 mouse and the G910 keyboard, I created a shortcut that launches the software. When I do the direct .exe approach nothign happens, at best I get it to freeze.

It is even more annoying with programs that open up more then one instances if I execute the direct file, so for example outlook will just open up another outlook if i run it directly. Maybe there is something I can input in the parameters to work around this?

We have had a couple of really big discussions about this a couple years back in this forum. With applications like Outlook, the one I was having troubles with, it's not an easy feat because it uses MDI (Multi-Document Interface.) But others here, myself included, did come up with some solutions. Please check there.

Hi Cory,

Thank you for the response, perhaps you can save me the trouble and guide me to where I can find my answer. Right now my "work around" is literally copy paste every iteration of the window in the "show/activate" function. I am sure there is a a more elegant solution. I was thinking it would be something like activate window "Inbox - *.* - Outlook" and it would activate any window with that front/end the same and whatever in the middle.

Thanks

To clarify, that is the Notification Area of the Taskbar. Microsoft changed the name of this area. It was formerly known as the System Tray.

 

To access programs in the Notification Area / System Tray you can use the "Move Mouse to Tray Icon" command. After the mouse is moved you can right-click or left-click the mouse to activate the menu associated with that icon. Note, however, that the "Move Mouse to Tray Icon" command does not work with icons that are hidden by Windows. To get around this Windows allows you to select which icons are hidden (although I have had mixed results with this).

Thank you so much, this fixed my problem! I didn't think that "mouse move" would be where I could find the commend to actually launch a program there.