Recording macros

Usually, you will first try to record what you want to automate to refine the recorded macro later.

  1. Start the target program(s) you want to automate and create a situation that looks similar to the one when the macro will be started (open files etc). Maximize your windows if possible and move them to your primary screen if you want to record mouse events.
  2. Close all programs you do not need for the macro (or at least save your changes. You won't be the first whose macro accidentally destroys some other important documents that are still open).
  3. Test the actions you want to perform at least twice and notice possible problems. Try to find keyboard alternatives for mouse commands.
  4. Start IntelliMacro (if not done already) and select File|New.
  5. Configure recording options:
    Record delays
    Save times of delays between events. The macro will run in the same speed as when it was recorded. You can use the DelayMult command to speed up the macro later.
    Mouse recording
    Save mouse events. You have several options here to select the base coordinate system or to include movements (i. e. when no mouse button is pressed). If you do not include movements, movement between clicks is performed immediately before the next click. Absolute should be used if the program runs full-screen or is located at a fixed position on the (primary) screen. For windows that appear at different positions, you can either use one of the Relative options, or resize the window at startup using the SetPosition command. In the latter case, write the SetPosition command, run the macro once, and start recording afterwards. The last two Relative options (to window, to control) are only needed in special cases and usually cause more confusion than they solve. If possible, avoid mouse events completely.
    Record window switches
    Save when the foreground window (including MDI windows) is switched. IntelliMacro will wait for that window at playback and focus it once it is there. This usually makes macros that work with lots of dialogs more stable. Sometimes it is hard to determine whether a window switch happened before or after an event; in that case the macro needs to be edited later. You will also have to edit the macro if the window title of the program (or MDI window) is dynamic (e. g. includes the document name). In that case, replace the dynamic part by * in the resulting macro.
    Record Screenreader events
    Not used yet.
    Move to tray
    Move IntelliMacro to tray while recording the macro instead of minimizing it. You can click the Tray Icon to stop recording if mouse recording is disabled. This option is useful if your macro or the target application depends on the number of open windows.
  6. Select Macro/Record (Append) or Macro/Record New
  7. Perform the actions you want to automate. Prefer keyboard actions to mouse actions wherever possible as those are more stable. If you accidentally press the wrong key, you can remove them from the macro later, or you can stop recording, remove them, and continue recording.
  8. To stop recording, press the [Break] key on your keyboard. Alternatively click the minimized IntelliMacro window, if mouse recording is disabled.
  9. Now you can save edit or run your macro.

When recording longer macros:

When recording the macro, bear in mind that a macro has certain limitations:

The macro recorder will record the following commands (for more details, see the predefined command reference):