nkormanik

Thanks much folks!

Please see attached image.  I'm using Variable Set Integer via prompt.  When the little box pops onto the screen asking what value to put in, there is a "0" shown, which can be changed as user types another number.  Is it possible to show a 'default' value of, say, 5, in the little box, and if user presses Enter, the 5 is then used.  No need to type 5.  It's set up beforehand as the default value?

The key I think I was missing is:

This is actually a two-step process.

First we have to set the variable.

Then we have to modify it.

I'm trying to do the following:

We start with a plain text file, completely empty, opened in a text editor.

We have ME move to the first line of the text file,

and type what resides in a variable called %First%.  

That value happens to be 5 (set up beforehand).  So, ME types 5.

5

We then have ME type Enter twice.  

That means the cursor will be at the start of line 3.

We now have ME type what is in the %First% variable + 4.

The answer that ME types should be:

9

How do we do this?

Yes, Cory, clear now....

Can you show an example that any of us can try out?

Indeed it does, acantor.  I love your 'Prompt' suggestion.  That would mean I wouldn't have to manually edit the macro files, which has been a pain.

The rest I'll have to study more.

Maybe the first step would be to just try it out, eh?  Like in a plain text page, editor.

Thanks for stepping forward.

Suppose I want to count down in a text file, starting with X, as follows, for example:

100

99

98

Please see the following:

<VARIABLE SET INTEGER Option="\x00" Destination="%Initial%" Value="100"/>

I think I use the above.  It designates where to start. 100.

How, then, do I get the 99, and 98?

Can I set up some math?  Say, %Initial% minus (-) 1, to get the 99?

And %Initial% minus (-) 2, to get the 98?

Any help appreciated.

Nicholas Kormanik

The button press to terminate current macro (what ever we set that to be in settings; pause, in my case) perhaps is an easy way to go about the above.  Adds an exta step, though.  Bummer.

So I might go with your suggestions.....

7 hours ago, rberq said:

MACRO STOP stops the macro that contains it.  I don't think there is a command you can execute in Macro ABC that will stop Macro XYZ. 

 

If XYZ is a long-running macro, I assume it has some kind of REPEAT loop.  You could have XYZ check "something" each time through the loop -- for example, check for whether file XYZSTOP exists.  If the file exists, XYZ does a MACRO STOP to kill itself.  When Macro ABC starts running, the first thing it does is create file XYZSTOP.   

 

Pretty clever, rberq.  Please provide some code doing this....

Does anyone know how Microsoft Power Automate compares with Macro Express?

If ABC macro issues a Macro Stop as its first line, would it cause XYZ -- which is currently running -- to stop?

From the help site:

Macro Stop

The Macro Stop command stops the execution of a macro. Use this primarily in conjunction with a conditional statement. If a desired condition is not met, terminate the macro.

Suppose a macro is presently running.  Nickname: XYZ

I would like to immediately start a new macro.  Nickname: ABC.  But I want the running macro to be stopped cold, dead in its tracks.

Looking over the possibilities, "Terminate Process" seems the only way to do this, via script.  I would put that at the beginning of the new macro.

In order to use "Terminate Process" one must use the Process Name.  Does a presently running macro have a Process Name?  Best that it be generic.  As in, ANY running macro must be immediately terminated.  Then continue on with the new macro, and continue executing it.

Not sure if what I am asking is possible.  Please advise.

Thanks,

Nicholas Kormanik

Any votes for Go?  That seems to be getting a lot of positive attention.

I am not a programmer, but I want to learn.  I've used Macro Express for years, and find it essential every day.

Of all the programming languages out there, I would like to start learning one that is most similar to Macro Express.  I feel that way I can more smoothly transition, and possibly do things that I can't with Macro Express alone.  Or if/when Macro Express for some reason stops being developed.

Would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter.

Thanks,

Nicholas Kormanik

Still struggling with "increase speed" and "decrease speed".

All the macro will do is press Page Down, again and again.  Just at different speeds.  Say, if Ctrl-+ or Ctrl-- keys are pressed.

Press Page Down 1000 times.  That simple.

Seems like there ought to be some little macro package for this very purpose.  Speed up; 
Slow down.  I mean, aren't there a lot of uses for such a thing?

Thanks.

Seems simple enough, but can't figure it out.

Want macro portion to repeat.  For 10 minutes.  Repeat Until... 10 minutes passes.  End Repeat.

Note that I am not asking MEP to sit around doing nothing for 10 minutes, waiting, and then whatever.  I am asking MEP to run a macro, however many times, up until 10 minutes goes by.  Then move on to whatever's next.  After that 10 minutes of macro running.

So, MEP, keep an eye on the clock.  Do the macro portion.  Lots and lots of times, if possible.  For 10 minutes.  Macro portion a bunch of times.  Yeah.  Good.  So easy, huh.

Who here knows the answer?

Please??

Thanks,

Nicholas Kormanik

Really good explanation, Cory.  Greatly appreciate that.

So, one follow-up question I have is:  Can VB.NET do most of what Macro Express Pro can do?  In other words, if I start learning VB.NET will I decide to simply do things in VB.NET, as opposed to creating a new MEP macro to attempt to do it?

Where does one draw the line?  Use MEP to do it.  Use VB.NET to do it?

Or some other.....

Good to hear.  Please post your macro, for guidance.

Thanks!

Cory, what programming language do you recommend as a next step up from Macro Express?

I'm not a programmer, and would like to start learning.

Not sure how much use a macro would be not doing mouse and keyboard things.

Yes, ME installed on all computers.

It's curious, though.  Macro Express seems to follow the mouse, whichever computer the mouse is on, regardless of which computer the macro originated from initially.

I use two computers: A and B

One keyboard and mouse, by way of MouseWithoutBorders.  Wonderfully controls both computers.

If through Windows Task Scheduler I have a macro to execute on Computer A, but I am currently over working on Computer B, the macro seems to operate on Computer B, and not A as desired.

Is there a way to confine the macro to Computer A, and not switch over to Computer B, even though I am working on Computer B, through MouseWithoutBorders?  In other words, STAY ON COMPUTER A!!! 

Any thoughts appreciated.

Nicholas Kormanik

Is there a way to check a window title for a particular string?

example:  Repeat Until --> Find a particular string in a window title.

Thanks!

Nicholas Kormanik

You guys are super.  Thanks!  I'll try and work with it.