Clashing key combinations

[jsampsonyyyyy]

Can Macro Express Pro be used to sort out problems with clashing key combinations?

 

If I make a macro with an activation key combination which is the same as the script,

and restrict the scope to the program I want the key combination to command, can I

rely on Macro Express Pro to send it to that program rather than allowing another

running program to intercept the command?

 

Regards

 

_John Sampson_

[acantor]

It's a little unclear (to me, at least) what you are asking. But if I read between the lines a little and take an educated guess, I say this:

 

Macro Express usually intercepts keystrokes before other applications see them. In general, a Macro Express script reliably overrides built-in hotkeys, whether they are native to an application (e.g., Alt + D in a browser to go to the address line), or added to the User Interface, e.g., Desktop Shortcut Keys.

 

The exception is for key combos like Ctrl + Alt + Delete, which Windows sees first, probably for good reason!

[terrypin]

Unclear to me too! What do you mean by "...a macro with an activation key combination which is the same as the script,"?

 

--

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[jsampsonyyyyy]

Sorry, I didn't spell it out properly. Say I make a macro activated by

the hotkey <alt><comma>, then in the script editor I select the

'script' tab, then 'keyboard', then Text type, and add a command

which I specify to be <alt><comma>. I then have what I over-briefly

described as a macro with the same script as activation key combination.

 

I have Instant Text (Textware). One of its hotkeys is <alt><comma>

(undocumented, but their support service has described it).

 

I have a niche-market application which also has a hotkey

<alt><comma>, but I cannot use this as Instant Text 'sees' it first.

 

I was wondering if Macro Express Pro could be used in some way to

transmit <alt><comma> to the niche application, bypassing

Instant Text. My experiments so far suggest not, because

Instant Text 'sees' <alt><comma> before even Macro Express does.

 

I could write a macro in Macro Express which does the same as what

<alt><comma> does, but I think it would be unsafe, as

Macro Express Pro does not 'know' what state the niche-market program

is in when I press the key combination. If a macro is launched while

the computer is in the wrong state it can do quite a demolition job!

 

Regards

 

_John Sampson_

[terrypin]

Sorry, I didn't spell it out properly. Say I make a macro activated by

the hotkey <alt><comma>, then in the script editor I select the

'script' tab, then 'keyboard', then Text type, and add a command

which I specify to be <alt><comma>. I then have what I over-briefly

described as a macro with the same script as activation key combination.

 

OK John, I think I follow now, thanks. But to be 100% unambiguous, is the following summary correct?

--------------------

Say I have a macro A activated by the hotkey <alt><comma>. In another macro B, I include a command to type the hotkey <alt><comma>, like this:

 

Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <ALT>, // Run the macro 'Jampsonyyy A' by typing its hotkey, which at present is not used by any other macro or program.

--------------------

 

If so, then I think your conclusion is probably correct. I've found it proves imposssible to predict reliably which program or macro will win a race to process a hotkey. BTW, for me, such a competition has usually been inadvertent rather than deliberate, as appears to be the scenario in your case.

 

(Note: it's always useful to paste or upload short examples of script that others can use to experiment, or attempt to reproduce your issues. Sometimes the code too, or export and upload the macro's MEX file.)

 

I have Instant Text (Textware). One of its hotkeys is <alt><comma>

(undocumented, but their support service has described it).

 

I have a niche-market application which also has a hotkey

<alt><comma>, but I cannot use this as Instant Text 'sees' it first.

 

I encounter similar problems with several other programs. Notable examples are my video editor, Magix Movie Edit Pro Plus (which has hundreds of inbuilt hotkeys, most of which I never use except by accident!) and main capture program, Snagit, which mostly (but apparently not always) manages to get first grabs on its small repertoire.

 

I was wondering if Macro Express Pro could be used in some way to

transmit <alt><comma> to the niche application, bypassing

Instant Text. My experiments so far suggest not, because

Instant Text 'sees' <alt><comma> before even Macro Express does.a

 

I assume you've tried variations like

Text Type (Simulate Keystrokes): <ALTD>,<ALTU> ?

 

And is it impractical to temporarily somehow 'remove' Instant Text from the scene, manually or programmatically?

 

I could write a macro in Macro Express which does the same as what

<alt><comma> does, but I think it would be unsafe, as

Macro Express Pro does not 'know' what state the niche-market program

is in when I press the key combination. If a macro is launched while

the computer is in the wrong state it can do quite a demolition job!

 

I suspect you'll need to provide explicit details of Instant Text and your 'niche market program' to get more confident analysis.

 

--

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[jsampsonyyyyy]

Hello -

 

> And is it impractical to temporarily somehow 'remove' Instant Text from the scene, manually or programmatically?

 

Now why didn't I think of that, I ask myself.

 

Anyway, you have set me on the right path - many thanks.

 

Regards

 

_John Sampson_