joe

Hello Richard! Your reasonings behind not using macros for many things is true throughout the industry. They are not difficult to make, but can be time consuming. And planning for maintenance in the future also takes time. It is "the" major objection to overcome when talking with a potential client about a macro project. Yes, they see the potential. Yes, they see the automation. Yes, the ROI is excellent, ... but. But these objections are no different than those received from work targeted to be written in another language ... like Visual FoxPro. Macro Express has grown in its capabilities. Business wise, we treat it the same as any other high-end language. This comes across as a good thing to the potential client. It is easier for companies to justify a large macro project than a small macro project. This too, is no different than justifying projects in other languages. Companies just seem to work that way. They can see the forest, but they cannot see the trees. So, how do we use macros? We conscientiously began Professional Grade Macros by building standard, callable, universal, black-box functions. Sort of a library of external functions that can be used as built-in functions. These are used as building blocks to other, larger functions, which in turn are combined into fully functional macros. It's like a builder. They use the same 8x8x16 cement block in every building built. However, how those same blocks get strung together is the reason why the buildings all look different. This building-block approach is how we use macros. These same blocks of code can be used to build a single family home, or the world's tallest building. They can be used as effectively in small, single-task macros as well as large, multi-task projects. I won't waste your time by listing all the different types of macro projects that we have worked on. But the diversity of Macro Express needs to be pointed out. It is a magical software package that is not limited to a particular software application, computer, task, or purpose. It is free to do what you want to do. To control what you want to control. To gather data from two different applications and wrap it up with a bow for you to look at while it goes off and does the next thing. Because Macro Express controls applications from the outside in the same manner as you control applications, the potential uses for this magical software package is limited only by what we fail to imagine. Controlling a computer system by talking to it is fun and exciting. We've come a long way from those belt attached devices that cost thousands of dollars and recognized maybe 200 words ... on a good day (voice recognition devices have been used in the auto industry for years). I wish that I had the time to devote to creating a voice interface to control Macro Express. To build macro libraries. To debug. To test. I know that the software is available today. Right now. And I know it is inexpensive. That is what is so frustrating. When I do get a few moments to experiment, I use IBM's ViaVoice. Enough of my ramblings ... everybody get back to work ... go out and build a macro

Hello Andy! There is a Macro Express command named File Attributes (Files/Folders category) that can be used to set or reset file attributes. I thought that it worked on folders, too. And it sort of does. If you place a folder name in the Filename field (and set the Attribute choices) then any files and folders within the target folder will be set accordingly ... but not the folder name itself. An alternative is to use the Windows Run command dialog. Like this: Run Dialog Window: Run Programs Wait For Window Title: "Run" Text Type: attrib +h c:\foldera\subfolder1 Text Type: <ENTER> Wait Window Lose Focus: "Run" Macro Return The above example would set the subfolder1 folder to hidden, but leave everything else within it untouched. If you need to know how to use the DOS attrib command then do the following: Engage the windows Run dialog Type "cmd" or "command" without the quotes, then hit <Enter> From the DOS window type in "attrib /?" without the quotes, then hit <Enter> You will see the acceptable command line arguments for the DOS attrib command. To close the DOS window, just type "exit" without the quotes, then hit <Enter>.

Hello Richard! Here is another partial answer because I do not know enough about html (please ... no wisecracks about my web site). It seems that what you are really asking is "how can I run an executable program, any executable program, by simply clicking on a link in an html document?" If someone in the group can answer that question ... and provide a simple example, then the problem might be solved, because ... you can create either a link (Macros | Place on Desktop) or an external playable macro (File | Export | Export as Playable Macro) out of a macro from the Macro Explorer pane. If you click on an .mxe file (a playable macro), Windows uses the Macro Express file association to run it.

Hello Michael! Can you expand somewhat on what you are referring to? I know for sure that I do not know what an "Autocorrect" macro is ... but it certainly sounds good.

Hello Renee! I do not know why your session timed out. Maybe it happened before Matt made some changes to the forum settings ... maybe not. I will check with him. I will see if a spelling checker is available. Images can be attached using the File Attachments field just below the Reply window. Pictures can be embedded using the IMG Code button above the Reply box. Signatures can be added from your User Profile screen. You started a new topic for this subject, so we will pick it up from there rather than continue here.

Hello Renee! Macros can be thousands and thousands of lines long, so that is not the problem. Something must be happening after the last Macro Run command. Are you sure that "Access MH OLD INQUIRIES" is finishing? Are you sure that the "M" is being typed? Are you sure that "To print from Last Episode-All" runs the last time?

Hello boilerbdub! You want to look at the Text File Begin Process if it is a plain text file, or the ASCII File Begin Process command if it is something like a comma delimited file. Both commands can process data in a text file a single line at a time. Hope this helps!

Hello Jim! Floyd and I thank you very much. As a company we are proud to sponsor this forum. It will enable more users and developers to join in ... which can only be to everyone's benefit.

Hello Gerry! Here is an excerpt from the Macro Express Explained book that illustrates why you were having a problem: There may be instances where an uppercase character confuses the target application. When you Text Type an uppercase "F" the following is sent by Macro Express: <SHIFTD>f<SHIFTU> Think about this for a moment. For you to type an uppercase "F", you must hold the Shift key down, hit the "f" key, and then let go of the Shift key. Macro Express must do this also. So, when you Text Type "<ALT>F" this is what is sent internally: <ALTD><SHIFTD>f<SHIFTU><ALTU> The need to add shift keys may confuse an application's menu, so sending a literal lowercase "f" will avoid the need for them. When you Text Type "<ALT>f" only the following is sent: <ALTD>f<ALTU> Let's go back to the difference between sending a single "<ALT>f" (which you just saw) or double "<ALT><ALT>f" to activate a menu bar and choose, in our example, the File menu. Most of today's applications will work just fine with the former. There may be exceptions. When you find them, try the latter combination. It will send: <ALTD><ALTU>f That is correct. Sending two "<ALT><ALT>" keys in a row sends "<ALTD><ALTU>". Again, most applications think this is just fine, and will activate the chosen menu. Try both of these menu-activating keystrokes manually to discover which works best for your application. It bears repeating that Macro Express needs to do exactly what you do to send keys to an application. Remembering this will make working with Macro Express less harrowing.

Hello Gerry! What happens if you use a lowercase "d" instead of an uppercase "D"?