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--- Macros [2017/02/22 07:41] – [Overview] peternlewis
+++ Macros [2017/02/23 05:09] (current) – removed peternlewis
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-{{:macro-icon.png?nolink |}}
-====== Macros ======
-===== Overview =====
-Macros are the heart, soul, and meat of Keyboard Maestro. See the [[/manual/Macros|Keyboard Maestro Documentation]] for a complete description.
-Macros, also known as Shortcuts, are a way of improving your productivity by allowing you to perform repetitive or frequently required actions more quickly and accurately, tailoring your Mac to your usage patterns.
-A macro is a process consisting of a series of steps, known as [[Actions|Macro Actions]], that will be run (executed) when any of its [[Triggers|Triggers]] are invoked (like pressing a Hotkey/shortcut) and the proper environment is present (like a certain app is running).  Sets of Macros are collected together into a [[Macro_Groups|Macro Group]], where you can define the required environment for the macros to be active (available) to run.
-Macros can do almost anything you can do manually on your Mac, and much that you can't, like running scripts.\\
-For a more detailed list of actions a Macro can do, see:
-  * [Keyboard Maestro Home Page](https://www.keyboardmaestro.com/main/)
-  * [Macro Examples](/manual/Macro_Examples) in the Documentation
-  * The [[Macro_Library|Macro Library]]
-===== How to Run a Macro =====
-In order to run (execute) a macro:
-  * One of its [[Triggers|Triggers]] must be invoked
-  * It can only be triggered if it is active
-  * It can only be active if it meets all of the activation criteria, including being enabled
-    * Activation/Deactivation is a dynamic process, automatically set by the Keyboard Maestro Engine as your Mac's environment changes in real time.
-For details, see [[Macro Activation]]
-===== How To Create a Macro =====
-To create a Macro, first launch Keyboard Maestro, select the desired Macro Group to contain it, and then click the + button below the Macros list. To edit a Macro, double click it, or select it and press the Edit button. The Macro Editor window will be displayed.  For complete, how-to details, see the [[/manual/Macros|Macros Section in the Keyboard Maestro Documentation]]
-===== How to Import Macros =====
-You may need to import Macro(s) you have downloaded from other sources, like the [Keyboard Maestro Forum](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/).
-You may use any of the following to import the macro file (`.kmmacros`):
-  * Double-click on the macro file in the Mac Finder
-  * In the Keyboard Maestro app, goto _File > Import Macros..._ and select the macro file
-  * In some browsers, click on the downloaded file icon at the bottom of the browser window
-:!: Note that the macro file (`.kmmacros`) may contain one or more macros, and will also create the Macro Group if it does _not_ exist in your configuration.  Otherwise, it will put the Macro in your existing Macro Group.
-==== Import Macros in Safe Mode ====
-:!:  Although this is generally safe, you should be aware that, by default, the macros will be imported in the same state (enabled/disabled), triggers, and macro group that they were saved in.  **This could result in the imported Macro being triggered (executed) as soon as it is imported.**
-**To import in safe mode, with the macro disabled, follow this procedure:**
-  * TBD (FIXME -- this needs to be provided)
-  * (See Forum post:  [Imported macros are disabled if all modifers are held down.](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/km-new-macro-hot-keys/5532/9))
-===== Examples =====
-A typical simple Macro consists of a single [[trigger:Hot_Key|Hot Key trigger]], such as Control-A, together with a single action, such as the [[action:Insert_Text_by_Typing|Insert Text by Typing Action]] that will “type my address” .
-For some real examples, see:
-  * [List of Example Macros](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/tags/example)
-  * [Best Macro List](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/best-macro-list/4118)
-  * [Best Examples of Keyboard Maestro Macros](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/best-examples-of-keyboard-maestro-macros/2817)
-  * Macro Library in Keyboard Maestro App (//Window > Macro Library//)
-===== See Also =====
-==== Related Topics ====
-See also the [[Macro_Groups|Macro Groups]], [[Actions|Macro Actions]], [[Triggers|Macro Triggers]] and [Recording](/manual/Recording) sections.
-==== Documentation ====
-  * [[/manual/Macros|Macros Section in Keyboard Maestro Documentation]]
-==== Forum ====
-  * [Macros Section](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/c/macro) where users have shared macros they have built.
-==== External References ====
-  * [A Beginner's Guide to Automating Your Mac with Keyboard Maestro](http://lifehacker.com/a-beginners-guide-to-automating-your-mac-with-keyboard-1630276897) at LifeHacker.com.