Time Saving Shortcuts

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Time Saving Shortcuts with MacroExpress
Greg Sennema Electronic Services
Librarian Wilfrid Laurier University Session 1912
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• what are macros
• MacroExpress
• why use macros
• workflow of a macro
• is MacroExpress necessary?
• MacroExpress resources

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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
to your keyboard and move and click your
mouse for, or instead of you. It takes time to
become accustomedto creating and using macros
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What are Macros?
Macros are not just shortcuts. e.g., CTRL-ALT- W
Microsoft Word
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What are Macros?
Macros are not just shortcuts

• 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

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MacroExpress 3.5
If it can be done with a keyboard and mouse Do
it with MacroExpress

• runs on Windows XP, ME, 2000, NT 4, 98 or 95
• 25 - 40 depending on quantity of licenses

No prior programming experience is required
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MacroExpress Why use Macros?

• 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

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MacroExpress Why use Macros?
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MacroExpress Workflow of a macro

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

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MacroExpress Workflow of a macro

• 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

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MacroExpress Example 1 of 4

• 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

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MacroExpress Workflow of a macro

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

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MacroExpress Example 1 of 4
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MacroExpress Example 1 of 4
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MacroExpress Example 1 of 4

• Example Hélène
• Similar to Microsoft Words 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

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MacroExpress Example 2 of 4

• 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

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MacroExpress Example 2 of 4
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Macro Express Example 2 of 3
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MacroExpress Example 3 of 4

• 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 mp3s downloaded into C/podcasts

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MacroExpress Example 3 of 4
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Macro Express Example 3 of 4
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MacroExpress Example 4 of 4
Example Process Swets invoice, GST Starting
point Ending point
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MacroExpress Example 4 of 4
? Starting point
Ending point
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Macro Express Example 4 of 4
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MacroExpress Example 4 of 4
Example Process Swets invoice, GST
ltREM2Once on the invoice screen, hit
CTRL-GgtltTEXTTYPEltTABgtltTABgtltTABgtltTABgtgtltDELAY.5gt
ltREM2tabs you down to the Locations
sectiongtltTEXTTYPEltARROW DOWNgt ltARROW
DOWNgtltARROW DOWNgtltARROW DOWNgtgtltDELAY.5gt ltREM2in
Locations, choose the third selection WLU
Library Periodicalsgt ltTEXTTYPEltTABgtltTABgtltTABgtltTA
BgtgtltDELAY.5gt ltREM2tab user to Other Charges
under AmountsgtltMMCgt ltREM2moves the mouse to
where the cursor isgtltDELAY.5gtltMMP210,0gt ltREM2m
oves the mouse over 10px, since no key combo can
do this on this screengtltDELAY1gtltLCLKgt ltREM2clic
ks on the elipsesgtltDELAY1gtltTEXTTYPEltALTgtEgt ltRE
M2Click Edit.. to edit invoice
feesgtltDELAY1gtltTEXTTYPEHgt ltREM2On the
Add/edit Adjustment dialogue box, choose H for
HANDLING CHARGE in the Charge Typegt ltDELAY1gtltTEX
TTYPEltTABgtltTABgtltTABgtgtltTEXTTYPEltTABgtltTABgtgtltDELA
Y1gt ltREM2tab down 2x to the Commit to Fund
fieldgtltTEXTTYPEpost-sgtltDELAY1gtltTEXTTYPEltENTER
gtgt ltDELAY1gtltTEXTTYPEltALTgtOgtltDELAY1gtltREM2Clic
k OKgtltTEXTTYPEltALTgtOgtltDELAY1gt ltREM2Click
OKgtltTEXTTYPEltALTgtNgtltDELAY1gtltREM2Get to Notes
tabgtltTEXTTYPEltTABgtgt ltDELAY1gtltREM2tab down to
notes fieldgtltTEXTTYPE100 GST
exemptgt ltREM2Type this text in the notes
fieldgt ltTEXTTYPEltENTERgtgtltTEXTTYPEActual
invoice total gt
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MacroExpress Example 4 of 4
Example Process Swets invoice, GST
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Is MacroExpress necessary?

• 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 softwares built-in (macro) tools

Customer list
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MacroExpress Resources
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MacroExpress Resources
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MacroExpress Resources
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MacroExpress Resources
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MacroExpress Resources
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MacroExpress Resources
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MacroExpress Resources

• 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

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Questions or comments?
Greg Sennema Electronic Services
Librarian Wilfrid Laurier University Session 1912