Greg Sennema library.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian www.macros.com Time Saving Shortcuts with MacroExpress Greg Sennema Electronic Services Librarian Wilfrid Laurier University Session 1912
Mar 27, 2015
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Time Saving Shortcutswith MacroExpress
Greg SennemaElectronic Services Librarian
Wilfrid Laurier University
Session 1912
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
• what are macros
• MacroExpress
• why use macros
• workflow of a macro
• is MacroExpress necessary?
• MacroExpress resources
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
What are Macros?
A macro is a way to automate a task that you perform repeatedly or on a regular basis.
Macros are script files that send keystrokes toyour keyboard and move and click your mousefor, or instead of you.
It takes time to become accustomedto creating and using macros
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
What are Macros?
Macros are not just shortcuts.e.g., CTRL-ALT- W = Microsoft Word
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
What are Macros?
• CTRL-A – select all• CTRL-C – copy • CTRL-F – find • CTRL-X – cut • CTRL-V – paste • CTRL-S – save
• CTRL-P – print • CTRL-O – open • CTRL-W – close • CTRL-Y – redo • CTRL-Z – undo
Macros are not just shortcuts
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
MacroExpress 3.5
• runs on Windows XP, ME, 2000, NT 4, 98 or 95• $25 - $40 depending on quantity of licenses
If it can be done with a keyboard and mouse…Do it with MacroExpress
No prior programming experience is required
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
• More time spent on higher-level activities and less on repetitive pointing and clicking and dragging and dropping tasks
• More consistent execution of work flow
• Potential transfer of tasks to lower-level staff, e.g. student employees
• TUG example
MacroExpress – Why use Macros?
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
1. identify the process
2. look for repetition
3. reorganize process elements for better execution
4. consider alternative ways to complete same task
5. determine necessary information e.g. input from user
MacroExpress – Workflow of a macro
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Define the starting and ending points
e.g., within an ILS system, retrieve Bib record by Bib ID
Starting point: display the BIB ID search screen
• Note what has to happen for process to work• Note the buttons that are clicked• Note the keys that are pressed
Ending point: display of the bib record
MacroExpress – Workflow of a macro
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Example – Hélène
Starting point: starting an email message
• Open “Find” utility• Search for “h-e-l-e-n-e”• Find an email with her name, copy name• Open new email, paste her name
Ending point: having Hélène spelt correctly in email
MacroExpress – Example #1 of 4
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
1. identify the process
2. look for repetition
3. reorganize process elements for better execution
4. consider alternative ways to complete same task
5. determine necessary information e.g. input from user
MacroExpress – Workflow of a macro
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
MacroExpress – Example #1 of 4
Example – Hélène
• Similar to Microsoft Word’s Auto Correct feature, except that this works in ANY program running on Windows• use short-forms for often-used long words
• IE7 = Internet Explorer 7• MS = Microsoft• ME = MacroExpress• LL = Laurier Library
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Example – Opening a password-protected web site
Starting point: open browser
• navigate to web site (bookmark, address bar, etc.)• place cursor in id box, type in id• place cursor (tab?) in password box, type in password• click on enter
Ending point: logged into web site
MacroExpress – Example #2 of 4
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Example – Open program, initiate function
Starting point: open Juice
• click Start, Juice• click on “check for new podcasts” button• close program when complete
Ending point: mp3’s downloaded into C:/podcasts
MacroExpress – Example #3 of 4
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Example – Process Swets invoice, GST
Starting point
Ending point
MacroExpress – Example #4 of 4
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Starting pointEnding point
MacroExpress – Example #4 of 4
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
<REM2:Once on the invoice screen, hit CTRL-G><TEXTTYPE:<TAB><TAB><TAB><TAB>><DELAY:.5><REM2:tabs you down to the Locations section><TEXTTYPE:<ARROW DOWN><ARROW DOWN><ARROW DOWN><ARROW DOWN>><DELAY:.5><REM2:in Locations, choose the third selection WLU Library Periodicals><TEXTTYPE:<TAB><TAB><TAB><TAB>><DELAY:.5><REM2:tab user to Other Charges under Amounts><MMC><REM2:moves the mouse to where the cursor is><DELAY:.5><MMP2:10,0><REM2:moves the mouse over 10px, since no key combo can do this on this screen><DELAY:1><LCLK><REM2:clicks on the elipses><DELAY:1><TEXTTYPE:<ALT>E><REM2:Click Edit.. to edit invoice fees><DELAY:1><TEXTTYPE:H><REM2:On the Add/edit Adjustment dialogue box, choose H for HANDLING CHARGE in the Charge Type><DELAY:1><TEXTTYPE:<TAB><TAB><TAB>><TEXTTYPE:<TAB><TAB>><DELAY:1><REM2:tab down 2x to the Commit to Fund field><TEXTTYPE:post-s><DELAY:1><TEXTTYPE:<ENTER>><DELAY:1><TEXTTYPE:<ALT>O><DELAY:1><REM2:Click OK><TEXTTYPE:<ALT>O><DELAY:1><REM2:Click OK><TEXTTYPE:<ALT>N><DELAY:1><REM2:Get to Notes tab><TEXTTYPE:<TAB>><DELAY:1><REM2:tab down to notes field><TEXTTYPE:100% GST exempt><REM2:Type this text in the notes field><TEXTTYPE:<ENTER>><TEXTTYPE:Actual invoice total $>
Example – Process Swets invoice, GST
MacroExpress – Example #4 of 4
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Example – Process Swets invoice, GST
MacroExpress – Example #4 of 4
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
• it takes time to become accustomed to using macros
• there is an initial time commitment that can seem to
to outweigh the benefits
• how much time do you spend in front of a computer?
• determine the amount/level of repetitive tasks
• determine the complexity of software used
• determine the software’s built-in (macro) tools
Customer list
Is MacroExpress necessary?
Greg Sennemalibrary.wlu.ca/blogs/technolibrarian
www.macros.com
Beginner • Setting up and using Macro Express • Using wizards to create macros • Running and Activating macros
Intermediate • Using variables to enhance your macros • Handling Windows and other programs• Using command line arguments
Advanced • Working with the Windows Registry commands • Processing data within files • Handling applications using Window Controls
MacroExpress Resources