Macro Express is the premier Windows macro utility. With Macro Express, you can record, edit and play back mouse and keyboard macros. Its powerful tools and robust features will make you more productive.

WHAT IS A MACRO  
A macro is a way to automate a task that you perform repeatedly or on a regular basis. It is a series of commands and actions that can be stored and run whenever you need to perform the task. You can record or build a macro, and then play the macro to automatically repeat the series of commands or actions.

SAVE TIME   
Macro Express will pay for itself after just a few hours of increased productivity.

    Put your computer to work on those repetitive tasks so you can be more productive in the areas that interest you the most.
    Reduce wear and tear on your wrists and hands.

Creating a Macro
A macro is a script containing commands that automate computer tasks. Each command performs one step, such as moving the mouse, launching a program or entering keystrokes. Macro Express does not require that you know any programming language or have any programming skills.

Macro Express provides several ways to build a macro

   1. Over two dozen Quick Wizards guide you through a series of questions and build the macro for you.
   2. To record a macro, you start the Capture, enter your keystrokes and mouse movements, and then stop the Capture process.
   3. Utilize the easy to use Scripting Editor or Direct Editor to write more powerful macros.

Playing back a Macro
Macro Express offers several methods for executing macros. These include the use of Hot Keys, Shortkeys, Timed Macros, Window Activation, Mouse Clicks, Popup/Floating Menus and others.

   1. A Hot Key is a set of keys on the keyboard that are pressed to initiate the macro. This could include pressing CTRLALTR, F3, ShiftF12 or over 700 other combinations.
   2. A Shortkey is a small string of characters, such as abc, tr, or zzz. When a matching combination is keyed in from the keyboard, it is erased and the assigned macro executes.
   3. A Scheduled Macro executes on a given time schedule.
   4. A Window Activated macro runs when a specific window gains focus appears on your computer.
   5. A Control Activated macro runs when a specific window control gains focus or is on top. Controls refer to the identifiable parts of a specific application window. Controls may include such things as a button, an edit box, a toolbar, a window title bar or other items.
   6. Click on a specific area of the screen with the left, right or middle Mouse button to trigger a macro.
   7. A Popup Menu or Floating Menu is basically a list or menu of defined macros. Once the menu is displayed, click on the desired macro or press an associated number or letter to execute the macro.
   8. A macro can be activated through a Batch File or Command Line.
   9. Macros may also be activated through Windows API calls or Windows Explorer.
  10. Run a macro from the Macro Explorer by using the Run Macro Now option.

Restricting Playback
You can restrict when a macro activation will begin playing a macro by setting the macro scope properties. You can assign macros to play back in all Windows programs Global, in one specific window Window Specific or program Program Specific, or in every program except the one you define Global Except.

Program Components
Macro Express consists of two main components, the Macro Express Player and the Macro Express Editor. The Player executes the macros and must be running for macros to play back. The Editor is the tool used to create and modify macros. The program was written this way to conserve system resources. When not editing or building macros, close the Editor so that it will not be using system resources.

By default, the Macro Express Player shows up as an icon in the system tray. From this icon you can invoke the Macro Express Editor or shut down Macro Express. You can optionally set the Macro Express Player to be completely hidden so that no icon shows in the system tray.

Macro Files
Macro Express allows you to create multiple files of macros. When first installing the program, two macro files, samples.mex and macex.mex, are also installed. The samples.mex file contains a number of sample macros that you can look at or use for reference. The other file, macex.mex, is where you can save macros that you create. Or you can create a new macro file for this purpose.

      Built in scripting editor creates commands in plain English. No coding needed.
   

      Dozens of Wizards to step you through common macro creations.
   

      Hundreds of commands including Keystrokes, Mouse, Launching Programs, Sending Email, Window Positioning and Sizing, Variables, If then else logic, Input Boxes, Questions, Menus, ASCII Delimited and Text File Processing, Dialup Networking, Network Connections, File Commands, Maximize & Minimize, Waits, Pauses, Loops and many more.
   

      More triggers including Hot Keys, ShortKeys, Window Activation, Mouse Keys, Mouse Clicks, Popup Menus, Floating Menus, Timed Schedules or Waits, Command Line, File Association.
   

      Design macros to play back in all programs or specific applications or specific windows.
   

      Advanced capture capabilities to record your keystroke and mouse movements for later playback.
    Password protection options to keep your macro data private.

All of the commands or actions that Macro Express can perform have been assigned to 24 separate categories. A brief description of the commands assigned to each category is listed below. More details can be found in the online help file.

CDROM  

You can create macros to replay a favorite audio CD track, open and close the tray, start, stop or pause the CD for an interruption, or skip tracks practically anything except physically inserting the CD into your drive.

Clipboard  

Cut, copy or paste clipboard items. You can copy a text file or a graphic file to the clipboard. Append clipboard contents to a text file or save the contents to a new text file. Or have the macro look for specific words or phrases in the clipboard item. You can then either replace them with something else, or have the macro take action depending on whether the word or phrase was found or not found.

Debug  

Use the Log Message and Log Error Message commands to help pinpoint trouble spots in a macro. The messages are sent to a log file so that you can determine the progress of a macro or where an error may have occurred in the macro.

Desktop  

These commands provide for a quick way to minimize or restore all items on the desktop. Or you can tile horizontally, vertically or cascade desktop items.

Dialogs  

Create multiple choice menus for your macros. During playback of the macro a menu will appear. Select the option you want and the macro will perform the task selected.

Explorer  

Create macros that will open Windows Explorer to the folder that you want. No need to navigate several layers of folders. One keypress will get you there.

Files/Folders  

Move or copy files. Rename and delete files or folders. Create new folders or change default folders. Process Text or ASCII Text files. Change File attributes.

Internet  

Use these commands to quickly go to a specific web or FTP site. Macro Express has a number of FTP commands that can be used to automate FTP processes. Also automate email messages and dial up networking.

Internet Explorer  

For Internet Explorer users, you can instruct the macro to wait until a web page has finished loading before continuing with any macro steps.

Keyboard  

Special key instructions for the Alt, Caps Lock, Control, Num Lock, Scroll Lock, Shift and Win keys. Set the playback speed of all keystrokes to allow for timing issues.

Logic  

Add a level of intelligence to your macros. Have your macros look for specific situations and take action based upon the results. This includes If/Then/Else logic plus Switch/Case commands. And/Or/Xor logic is included to expand the usability of the IF statements.

Macro Control  

These commands allow you to take actions on macros you have created. The Macro Run command allows you to have your macro call other macros and play them in sequence. Other commands will allow you to disable or enable a macro, stop or delete a macro, or assign passwords to individual macros. You can also load in another macro file.

Macro Express  

Empty the Macro Express recycle bin, close Macro Express or reset the keyboard hooks with these commands.

Mouse  

Assign any combination of left, middle or right mouse button clicks. Move the mouse cursor to any position on the screen or window.

Multimedia  

These functions will allow you to create macros to adjust the volume on your computer's sound system. Have the macros play back video or sound files.

Network  

Quickly map a network drive. Connect to a network drive, disconnect or toggle back and forth.

Registry  

Use these commands to create or delete registry keys. Read or write registry decimals, integers or strings.
Repeat  

A number of macro repeat options are available. Set your macro into a repeat loop to have it play back as many times as you need. Have a macro repeat until a specific condition has been met.

System
 These commands allow you to take actions on your system. You can shut down, log off, reboot your system. Set your default printer or change your display resolution settings. Or you can empty the Recycle Bin or open a specific Control Panel window.
Text  Use these commands to create date or time stamps. Insert text, symbols and keystrokes into other applications. Create message boxes for reminders, instructions, etc.
Timing  These commands instruct the macro to slow down or wait until applications are ready to receive the next macro instruction. Insert delays or insert a pause in a macro where you can enter your own text into your application and then resume the macro. We have a number of Wait For commands instructing the macro to wait until a window has focus, wait for a specific key to be pressed or a mouse click, wait for a program to close, and many more.
Variables  Variables allow input of data into the macro from a variety of sources such as from the macro itself, a file, user input, the Windows clipboard, a .INI file, the title of a window and many others. The variables can then be manipulated, processed and tested. Actions can be taken on the results of the test or on the variables themselves. We provide Decimal, Integer and Text String variables.

Window Controls  

Controls refer to the identifiable parts of a specific application window. Controls may include such things as a button, an edit box, a toolbar, a window title bar or other items. The control may be part of the main application window or be part of a child window a window within a window. Use Windows PostMessage commands with controls. Assign the control to a variable and take any number of actions upon the control.
Windows/Programs  Start programs or activate windows. Also shut down applications or program windows. Move and resize windows, hide a window or show it again.
 
Uses

Anything that you do repetitively on the keyboard or even a sequence that requires just a few steps could be performed with a macro to save you time. The possibilities are limitless. Read how others are using Macro Express or look through the following list of potential uses.

    Want to Insert Today's Date into any document How about yesterday's or tomorrow's date Not a problem. Assign a date today's, a week ago, etc. available in dozens of formats to a macro.

    Would you like to automate your email responses Create macros for standard greetings, EMail taglines, price quotes, customer support and so much more

    Do you like Contests on the Web Easily create a macro to fill out the form of your favorite contest and then have it press the submit button for you Use a wizard to help you.

    Do you find yourself typing the same thing over and over Create macros for your most commonly used textnames, addresses, web sites, letterhead, boilerplate for legal, medical, real estate and more.

    Launch Web Sites or initiate FTP transfers with the touch of a key Download the latest version of a file.

    Launch a program with a macro. Or have the macro launch 4 programs at once. Or launch a program and start issuing commands directly to the program.

    AutoCad users will fall in love with Macro Express Use 2 lettered ShortKeys to execute all your macros

    Want to copy and paste multiple times between 2 programs Macro Express can handle the job.

    Set up hot keys or functions keys to perform common functions in your programs

    Want to place symbols and special characters such as in your documents with ease Assign them to a macro.

    Want to place international characters and punctuation such as into your documents with ease Assign them to a macro.

    Would you like to do an email run, a backup or run any other program unattended Schedule a macro to run your programs when you want them run.

    Would you like to shut down a given program or sets of programs with just one key Macro Express can shut down programs or close a given window.

    Want to minimize or maximize the top most Window Do so with just the press of a key. Or setup a macro to minimize or maximize any specific window.

    Need an easy way to clean up unwanted files Macro Express macros can delete, copy and rename files.

    Do you need to repeat a process and save out a file with a different name each time Program a macro to repeat your process as many times as you like. Include a repeat counter which can be used to create a unique file name.

    Do you have a need to resize or reposition windows on your computer With a touch of a key, any number of Windows can be resized and positioned on the screen.

    Would you like to connect to a network drive by hitting a key You can disconnect or toggle between connection and disconnection too. Avoid the Network Neighborhood.

    Would you like to select a default printer with a keystroke Switch between color and non color printers or maintain printer preferences among multiple users.

    Would you like to change the display resolution with one key Maintain multiple settings for laptop and desktop or check out your HTML in all resolutions.

    Hang up or dialup your network connection by pressing a key.

    Adjust volume or mute the volume of your speakers when a phone call comes in. Do it with the touch of a key Change balance, treble, bass and more.

    Pause your Audio CD to answer the phone. Tell your Audio CD to play, replay a favorite song, etc.

    Cascade, Tile or Minimize the Desktop with one key.

    Undock your computer from a docking station by pressing a hot key.

    Do you need to go directly to your startup folder How about the Desktop, Fonts, My Computer, Network Neighborhood, Printers, User Documents or many other folders A hot key can take you right there

    Do you like to maintain multiple wallpapers Use a hot key to place your favorite images as the wallpaper. Stretch, tile or position the image.

    Would you like to reboot or logoff with the touch of a key

    Create macros as reminders to popup messages at the time intervals you desire.

    While browsing the web, copy something to the clipboard and with the press of a hot key send it via email to a friend or a whole group of associates.

    Would you like to process the entire or partial contents of an ASCII Delimited Text File

    Would you like to launch Control Panel Applets with the touch of a key And also have control panel selections made for you

Macro Explorer
Macro Explorer lists all of the macros in your macro file

Use almost 700 different Hot Keys or virtually an unlimited number of ShortKeys or schedule macros to play at given time intervals. Use popup menus, floating menus or macros assigned to mouse clicks or window activation. Assign Hot Keys / ShortKeys to specific windows, specific programs or make them global.

Scripting Editor
The Scripting Editor allows you to create macros using the extensive library of Macro Express script commands

Build a macro script of all the commands you want your macro to perform. Choose from dozens of commands or invoke the Command Wizard to help you along. Easily manipulate your script by editing script items, copying them, deleting them or rearranging their order. Simply choose your command and fill in the elements associated with the command. No syntax or programming to learn

Direct Editor
The Direct Editor allows you to see the text representation of the macro commands. When you view the macros in their text form, you are able to see specific details about each macro command.

Capture
Using the macro Capture utility you can quickly and easily create a macro by recording your keystrokes, mouse movements and mouse clicks.

Quick Wizards
Quick Wizards allow you to create macros that can later be customized to your specific requirements.

Use over 2 dozen Quick Wizards that are available to guide you every step of the way to create a macro. The wizards allow you to create macros to perform specific tasks such as typing text, symbols or keystrokes into programs. Or paste text or graphics into programs, launch programs or web sites, type out the date or time, connect network drives, dialup Internet connections, reboot, logoff, create reminders, enter sweepstake contests on the web, set default printers, set screen display resolutions, adjust sound volume, treble and bass, play audio CDs, move and resize windows, copy and rename files, open explorer folders and more. Other wizards let you capture your keyboard and mouse activity as a macro, build macros by combining other macros, and build popup menus containing macros.

Macro Recycle Bin
You can restore deleted macros from the Macro Recycle Bin.

System Requirements

    Pentium or equivalent or greater
    Windows Vista, 2003, XP, 2000, NT 4, Me, 98 or 95
    20 MB free hard disk space
    Minimum 32 MB RAM
    Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater required for some features

Windows Updates

    Macro Express requires newer versions of oleaut32.dll and comctrl32.dll than are shipped with the original unpatched versions of Windows 95, 98 or NT.

ShortKeys is a macro utility allowing you to set up replacement text or paragraphs for any given number of user defined keystrokes. ShortKeys monitors the keyboard activity on a global nature and anytime a user defined keystroke combination ShortKey is typed in, it will be replaced with the replacement text.

ShortKeys is intended for use with programs that allow text input such as a word processor, text editor, email program, etc. It replaces a text string of up to 32 characters with a word, sentence, paragraph or several paragraphs, saving you valuable time by not having to manually type the text. Errors in typing can be eliminated. Simply choose a word or text string and associate it with the replacement text.

You may enter virtually an unlimited number of replacement text combinations per file. The replacement text may be up to 3000 characters in length.

To make it work, run the program and all word and replacement combinations will be active. Once ShortKeys is running, it will monitor all keyboard activity. If one of the specified words is used, it will be erased and the replacement text will be keyed in its place.

Activation Methods
The Prefix Key method allows you to designate up to two characters that are to be added to the front end of every ShortKey. For example you could assign a prefix of . You would then type plus your ShortKey to trigger the replacement text. This makes it unlikely that you would accidentally trigger a ShortKey, since you would not normally be typing in front of any text.

The Suffix Key method requires you to type in your ShortKey and press either the Space Bar or the Enter key. Pressing the Space Bar or Enter key instructs the macro to start and the replacement text to be inserted. Punctuation keys such as . , ; and may optionally be used as a suffix key.

Create unlimited number of files.
Create virtually an unlimited number of ShortKeys Text and Text Replacements per file.
Network option with File Locking capability.
Import and Export ShortKeys.
Print List of ShortKeys.

Text Playback
Use a one or two character Prefix Key to trigger the playback of a ShortKey. Use the Suffix Key option of Space or Enter key to trigger the ShortKey playback.

Optionally

    Allow additional punctuation keys to trigger the ShortKey.
    Retype the suffix key after the replacement text has been inserted.
    Invoke a hint mode window to notify of an impending text replacement.
    Create suffix/gerund endings such as ing, ed, ment, etc. for replacement text words.

Additional Playback Options
Have replacement text sent either through the keyboard or via the clipboard.
Set the speed of characters typed when sending keys through the keyboard.
Capitalize the first letter of the replacement text if the first letter of the ShortKey typed is capitalized.
Require that the ShortKey be keyed exactly i.e. upper and lower case sensitive.

Additional Characters and Keystrokes
Include symbols in text replacements.
Insert current, past or future dates in text replacements.
Insert the TAB, Enter or any of the Arrow keys to the playback of a ShortKey.
Insert the current time into text replacements.

Spell Checker and Find Features
Use the Find, Find Again and Search and Replace options in the Replacement Text.
Use the Search and Search Next functions to find a key word or words in the ShortKey list.
Spell Checker American and British available for proofing Replacement Text.

If you do any type of repetitive typing, then you'll immediately recognize the benefits of ShortKeys. Below are just a few of the possible uses for the program.

    Quickly insert Personal Information such as Name, Address, Phone, Fax or Email into documents, forms, email, etc.

    Insert URL's into your browser.

    Customer Support/Service Centers
      Working in a support center, you quickly realize that you receive the same questions over and over. Why keep typing the same information repetitively Use a ShortKey to do this. Your productivity will increase immediately.

    Boilerplate Text
      Create boilerplate text for professions such as Legal, Medical, Dental, Insurance, Banking or Real Estate. Consolidate all of your standard phrases, terminology, clauses, etc. into a set of ShortKeys. A few keys will save a lot of repetitive typing. Software developers will also find this a real time saver for inserting code.

    Medical Transcriptionists will love this program for its flexibility and ease of use.

    Sales Quotes
      Type a ShortKey when a customer requests a price or service quote. Keep templates in ShortKeys for quick insertion into a letter, fax or email.

    Automate the entry of order forms, Web contests, etc.

System Requirements

   Pentium or equivalent or greater
    Windows Vista, 2003, XP, 2000, NT 4, Me, 98 or 95
    5 MB free hard disk space
    Minimum 32 MB RAM recommended

Windows Updates

ShortKeys requires newer versions of oleaut32.dll and the Windows common controls than are shipped with the original unpatched installations of Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or NT. These updates are provided by Microsoft and can be downloaded without charge.