kevin

I'm looking for a simple way to continually loop a macro from beginning to to end.

Try the Repeat command:

Repeat Until %T1% <> "DONE"
 //   *** Macro Commands ***
Repeat End

This will loop until a Variable Set String %T1% "DONE" is used to set T1 to DONE. You could have your macro set T1 to DONE at a specific time in the morning to automatically stop your macro. You could also click on the running man icon or press the Macro Macro HotKey to manually stop the macro.

How can I put focus in the active window, without clicking

Try the Window Activate command. To speed up my macros I check to see if it already has focus:

If Not Window " - Macro Express Forums - Mozilla Firefox" is focused
 Window Activate:  - Macro Express Forums - Mozilla Firefox
End If

I'm surprised there's nothing in Help on such KB shortcuts.

In the Macro Express Pro - Script Editor click on the 'Edit' menu item. A list of commands and shortcuts is displayed. Note 'Comment _ Ctrl+Alt+C'.

I tried that macro out of curiosity but got 4 failed requests with that address 192.168.2.2. Is that to be expected?

Each device (computer, printer, router, etc.) on your network has a unique IP address. The 192.168.2.2 IP address is a local, non-routable, address. Change it to an address of a device on your own local address or use the domain name of a server somewhere on the internet. However, for security reasons, some servers do not respond to pings.

By default, most network equipment uses 192.168.0.x addresses.

If I want macro express to press a button, it's easy as pie, I use text type. However, how can I make macro express hold one key down for a length of time? For example, how would I hold down the k button for 5 seconds

That is not available, sorry. There have been several requests to add this feature. If you want to include your name on the list visit our Request a Feature page.

For performance reasons, deleted macros leave an 'empty' space in the macro file. The Tools, Pack function will compress the macro file and remove the empty spaces.

I would like to run a macro in one windows while being able to use the mouse cursor in other programs.

In most cases Windows does not allow this. Mouse clicks and keystrokes can only be sent to the active window (the one that has focus). One exception is if your application allows you to use Window Controls commands. For an example of using Window Controls in a macro look at the 'Calc ulator and Note pad' macro in the samples.mex macro file. The Samples.mex file is installed in the same location as the Macro Express program files (by default c:\Program Files\Macro Express3).

Welcome to the forum and welcome to Macro Express.

The Variable Set String from Prompt allows you prompt the user for input. You may find the Variable Set from Misc command useful. It can return the name of the computer where the macro is running.

You may want to look at the simple macros found in samples.mex installed where the Macro Express program is installed (e.g. c:\Program Files\Macro Express3). The 'Repeat Until' macro demonstrates the use of the Variable Set String from Prompt command. The 'Get Miscellaneous Information' displays information about your computer, including the computer name.

You may want to copy samples.mex to a folder where you store your macros (perhaps your My Documents folder). Some versions of Windows prevent accessing files in the Program Files folders.

Use the Launch Program command to launch a program (on the same computer that is running Macro Express). You can also use this command to open something like 'services.msc' (again on the same computer running Macro Express).

To launch programs, including something like 'services.msc', on another program, have the macro perform the steps you do manually.

Is is better to set the global keystroke delay in MEP Preferences or set it inside each macro as needed.

If you want to set the keystroke delay for everything without having to add it to each macro then use the global value. If, however, you have a macro that interacts with an application that needs additional delays, add a Keystroke Speed command to that macro. Some applications need a little more delay than others (MS Office applications come to mind). But setting the global value allows for a minimum delay to make the majority of your macros work better.

On my install of MEP the Preferences is set to 300 milliseconds which is most likely the default.

To clarify, the setting is 300 microseconds (not milliseconds). To put it into perspective 300 microseconds is 0.000300 seconds while 300 milliseconds is 0.300 seconds. Windows needs a minimum amount of delay between keystrokes. We found a default value of 300 microseconds allowed Macro Express Pro to work with the vast majority of applications on all but the slowest computers.

Note that, unlike the global 'Delay after keystrokes' setting, the Keystroke Speed command does use a value in milliseconds.

I was trying to use CSV files and ASCII Text File Process command, which ONLY accepts an ARRAY instead of a single string variable.

You can use the ASCII File Process commands in the exact same manner:

ASCII File Begin Process: YourFilePathAndName
ASCII File End Process
Text Box Display: 

Kevin is suggesting a Windows XP cause, not MEP.

Not quite. You could not stop the macro because Windows XP was too busy to service the HotKey or mouse click to stop the macro. What caused Windows to be too busy is the problem. That problem may have been caused by Macro Express Pro. It may have been caused by something else or some combination of events.

Is there a way to activate a macro with either mouse wheel scroll up or down?

Not at this time. Request a Feature.

Perhaps I'm mistaken but I get the impression you are trying to attribute blame elsewhere?

No. You are talking about two separate things. When there are problems stopping a macro it is because Windows is not sending Macro Express Pro the HotKey or Mouse click message.

You have experienced another problem. I asked for a sample demonstrating it.

I read on the groups somewhere about the system not responding.

We have made a number of changes to correct this problem. The feedback we have received indicates that Macro Express Pro v 4.1.6.1 has corrected this issue. We advise all to upgrade to the latest version of Macro Express Pro.

Jace, I downloaded and installed Yankee Clipper on my computer last week. When I started the program it did not ask me to reboot. After a short time I noticed that it started to interfere with the clipboard operations in my macros. They were only corrected by terminating Yankee Clipper and terminating and restarting Macro Express Pro.

However, when installed, Yankee Clipper was set to load automatically when Windows starts. I have kept it running ever since and have not had a problem with it or with macro commands that utilize the clipboard. (I have not, however, used Yankee Clipper extensively.)

It is possible that a reboot is required after launching Yankee Clipper in order to allow it to work correctly with Macro Express Pro. It is also possible that the order that the two programs are loaded makes a difference.

But it seems that Yankee Clipper can successfully work when Macro Express Pro is running.

There are two ways to halt a macro, by pressing a specific HotKey combination or by using the mouse to click on the Macro Express icon in the system tray. The HotKey is set to 'Scroll Lock + Pause' by default but can be changed in the preferences.

Often, when you want to stop a macro, it is because something is not running right on Windows. When you click the mouse or press a HotKey Windows receives a message that the action occurred and then has to pass that message to Macro Express. If these actions do not halt Macro Express it is generally because Windows never passed the message to Macro Express.

That is why there are two methods to halt a macro. Sometimes keystroke messages are not being processed by Windows. At other times mouse click messages are not being processed.

When your system is so messed up that you cannot even bring up Task Manager, you cannot expect Macro Express to be able to do any better. Applications have a much lower priority than Task Manager.

Your other report indicates that a problem occurred causing your computer to lock up. If you send a sample macro to our support people they can see if the problem can be duplicated on one of our computers. (It is possible that the underlying problem is caused by something specific to your computer.)

I want Fruit.txt to read: "I like to eat %T[1]%."

I DO NOT want Fruit.txt to read: "I like to eat Apples."

If you use a variable that exists, then it will be evaluated. But if you use a variable that does not exist, then it will not. Change "I like to eat %T[1]%." to "I like to eat %NoVariable%."

I and many others have been using a USB keyboard for some time without trouble. I've never heard of any setting in Windows to change anything for USB vs PS/2 connections. Is possible that your firewall/anti-malware software is blocking something or has not been trained to accept Macro Express? I would suspect something else on your new computer, not the type of keyboard.

Make sure you are using the latest version. The security patches Microsoft keeps applying can cause older versions of Macro Express to stop working properly.

If you send an email to our support people, they may have some other ideas.

No, but if you are using the latest version of Macro Express 3 and enter a path that includes the My Documents folder, it will be stored in the preferences as [My Documents] instead of something like c:\users\NAME\documents\... Then, if the program configuration is exported and imported to another computer the [My Documents] portion will be converted to the My Documents folder for that computer.

Allowing environment variables in the file paths sounds like a good suggestion. You should request it on the Request a Feature page.

I created a text file with a name based on the text of your post:

!aaMacroExpressexaminesawindowtitleuptohowmuchofthetitledoesitexamineIamlookingtotriggerthemacrobasedonapartialwindowtitlethatisthreexyzletterslong.txt

That's about 150 characters with the extension. I activated another macro based on "xyz" being in the window title which gains focus and it worked fine. Ditto for window is opened. I assume ME will work up to the max allowable in NTFS of 255.

 

If yours is not activating it may be for other reasons.

JohnS, did you try this in Macro Express Pro or Macro Express? I just noticed in this topic's subtitle that Scruples98 is using Macro Express 3. (This is posted to the wrong forum.) It is possible that there is a limit on the size of a window title in Macro Express 3.

... if Macro Express is running my screensavers won't activate.

From the Macro Express Knowledgebase: http://www.macros.com/kb.htm

Many scheduled macros do not work properly when the screen saver or power management features have been activated. To prevent problems, by default, Macro Express disables your screen saver or power management features if you have a Scheduled macro in your macro file.

In most cases you should be able to get a Scheduled macro to work properly with the screen saver or power management features enabled by modifiying the macro. For example, you may need to send a keystroke and then delay to allow your desktop to be restored.

To enable your screen saver or power management features when using a Scheduled macro, load the Macro Express Editor and click on Options | Preferences | Scheduler. Uncheck the box next to "Disable Screen Saver when using Scheduled Macros".

Macro Express Pro v 4.1.6.1

Macro Express Pro v 4.1.6.1 is now available. This version includes changes that should reduce or eliminate the system slowdowns that have been discussed in this forum.

For a complete list of changes, see the Macro Express Pro v 4.1.6.1 Release Notes. Download Macro Express Pro from the Macro Express download page.

For more, including tips and shared macros, see the April 12, 2010 edition of the Macro Express News.

Off Topic: Topic Thread Integrity

JohnS, We all appreciate your contributions to the forum and your willingness to help. You are often the first to offer suggestions or comments. Thank you!!

I wish you would reconsider your decision to not reply with in a way that keeps the integrity of threads within posts. As pointed out earlier, it is awkward to view topics with replies that pop back out to the 'top' level of a topic's thread. If you use the (smaller and lighter) reply button close to the topic you are replying to, it has no negative effect on those who view chronologically (is this still an option?) and it helps those of us who view with a topic thread.

Here are two real life examples take from these forums:

Easy to follow topic thread:

Not so easy to follow:

Please continue to contribute (thanks again!) but please reconsider your reply button choice.

... We are using ... a Citrix Desktop.

Is Macro Express Pro installed on the Citrix server or the local workstation?

When Macro Express is installed on the local workstation it cannot 'see' the windows within the Citrix session. In this case the windows are actually running on the Citrix server. What the local workstation sees are not individual Calendar and Patient Chart windows but a single Citrix window containing images of the Calendar and Patient Chart windows. Commands that interact with the window title do not work.

Macro Express Pro can be installed on either the local workstation or the Citrix server or both. Of course, if it is installed on both, you have to be careful with conflicting macros.

For more, enter 'Citrix' into the Macro Express Knowledgebase.

there are just these 2 files in C:\Program Files\MACROE~1

MacEmail.txt

swpkey.mes

To move MacEmail.txt click Options, Preferences, File Paths and change the path found under 'E-Mail Recipient List'. The swpkey.mes file is used on non-Windows 7 computers to swap keys around. As far as I know, this file is unused in Windows 7.

Did you export the Macro Express program configuration from a computer running an earlier version of Windows and import it into this version? That would explain what you are describing.

Please contact the support people at Insight Software Solutions if you need more help with this issue.