A task that appeared to be very easy to accomplish with a keyboard macro could turn out to be a hard nut to crack. Once you have started to create a macro, it is difficult to stop.

Second, and this is even more dangerous, programming with AutoHotkey is really fun. Keyboard macros are certainly more error-prone than any other script type. An error in your script might delete a lot more than you intended to. For example, it is probably not a good idea to delete objects this way. Before you try the tool, I have to warn you about two things.įirst, I wouldn’t use a keyboard or mouse macro in a sensitive environment. It is for IT professionals who are used to dealing with scripts. I think, it is clear by now that AutoHotkey is not really a keyboard macro creation tool for end-users. I recommend reading the corresponding part in AutoHotkey’s manual if you want to run a macro in an application that is already open. As you have already guessed correctly, this command activates a program window. But I think the key to getting started with the tool is to understand the WinActivate command. The problem I described above is solvable if you know a little of the easy-to-read AutoHotkey scripting language. It supports if clauses, loops, and everything you need to program a decent script. It comes with a powerful scripting language that other free macro creation tools often lack. However, AutoHotkey definitely has its advantages.

I realize this doesn’t sound very promising. Most programs will be started a second time if you run the AutoHotkey script, and this often causes problems. This method works fine as long as you don’t have to run a macro in an application that is already open. I didn’t tell the tool first which program should be launched before the macro gets started. It turned out that I didn’t operate AutoScriptWriter correctly.

Ahk macro