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====== Trigger Macro by Name Action ======

The //Trigger Macro by Name// action displays a Spotlight-like window, where you trigger execution of a Macro by searching for it, and then selecting it.

{{ action:km-7.2-trigger-macro-by-name-window.png?nolink |}}

Like the Mac Spotlight, it will search all of your active, enabled Macros whose name or contents contain what you type.  It is a character search, so it will also find Macro names and words that contain what you type.

{{ trigger-macro-by-name.png?nolink&575x141 | File Name }}

===== How To Use for Triggering Macros =====

  - Create the Trigger by Name Macro
    - Create a new macro, in the Global Macro Group (so it will be available in all apps)
    - Assign it a trigger (one suggestion is <kbd>⌘</kbd><kbd>⌥</kbd><kbd>⌃</kbd><kbd>T</kbd>)
    - Insert the //Trigger Macro by Name// action.
    - Optionally configure the initial search.
    - Optionally allow inactive or disabled macros.
    - Optionally restrict it to specified macros or macro groups.
  - When you are ready to Trigger a Macro
    - Like using any Macro, make sure you have any required app frontmost.
    - Then, trigger the Trigger by Name Macro (the one you made in Step #1)
    - The //**Trigger Macro by Name**// window will appear
    - Type the search criteria
      - As you type, the macro list will be filtered
      - Continue to type until you see the macro of interest
    - If the Macro you want is not highlighted, move to it with the arrow keys, or double-click on it.

The initial search can (v9.0+) include tokens.

==== To edit the selected macro ====

If you wish to open Keyboard Maestro directly to the selected macro rather than triggering it, use <kbd>⌥</kbd><kbd>return</kbd> or <kbd>⌥</kbd>+click.

===== How To Filter the Search =====

If you would like to further restrict, or filter, the search, you can use qualifiers, or prefixes, to what you type, using these [[manual:Search_Strings|Search Strings]].

For example:

    a:safari n:copy
    
would filter the list of Macros to those whose:

  * Active application is "Safari"
  * Macro name contains "copy"

{{:action:km-7.2-trigger-macro-by-name-example.png?nolink|}}

For the complete list of available filters, see [[manual:Search_Strings|Search Strings]]

===== Passing Parameters =====

You can pass parameters (v8+) to the macro via the [[token:TriggerValue|%TriggerValue%]] token by adding `//` and then the parameter to your search string.  The `//` and anything after that will be ignored in the search.

===== See Also =====

=== Actions ===

* [[:Actions|See all Actions]]

==== Topics ====

* [[:manual:Search Strings|Search Strings]]

==== Forum ====

- [[https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/limit-the-results-of-trigger-macro-by-name/4369/9|Limit the results of Trigger Macro by Name]]

- [[https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/search?q=Trigger%20Macro%20by%20Name%20Action|Keyboard Maestro Forum topics about Trigger Macro by Name Action]]