ChartNet includes a full-featured macro program called EZMacros. Macros can be created to automatically playback a sequence of keystrokes to perform repetitive tasks. For example, if you are in word processing, a macro could be created to press F2 to bring up the Report Data screen, then move the cursor to a specific field, enter a fixed value in that field, then press F10 to save the Report Data screen. Although macros will most likely be used from within the Word Processing screen, they can be used anywhere in the ChartNet Transcription program.
The EZMacros program is automatically loaded by ChartNet after the user logs on to ChartNet, but only if the user has been setup by the System Manager to have access to EZMacros. Each user has their own macros file. Once loaded, an icon will appear in the Windows system tray that looks like a round disk with a green light in the middle of it. If the light is green, then the macro program is available and active. If the light is red, then EZMacros is running but will not respond to your hot-keys.
Assigning Hot-Keys
EZMacros uses "hot-keys" to invoke your macros. A hot-key is a key sequence that the user assigns to each macro. Each macro must have its own unique hot-key that does not conflict with any of the pre-defined ChartNet shortcut keys. Usually, hot-keys start with pressing and holding the CTRL or ALT key first, followed by one other key. For example, CTRL-1 or ALT-L. The Shift key can also be used in combination with the CTRL and ALT keys to provide even more hot-key combinations.
NOTE- IN ORDER TO AVOID CONFLICTS WITH CHARTNET'S HOT-KEYS, DO NOT ASSIGN A SHORTCUT KEY TO A MACRO THAT STARTS WITH "CTRL" FOLLOWED BY ANY ALPHABETIC CHARACTERS (A-Z)! DOING SO WILL DISABLE THAT KEY COMBINATION FROM BEING RECOGNIZED BY CHARTNET.
Creating a New Macro
| 1. | First, make sure that you are on the ChartNet screen for which you wish to create a macro. For example, if the macro to be created will be run in Word Processing, you must be on the Word Processing screen first. |
| 2. | To bring up the macro program, press ALT-M. The EZMacros screen will appear and the system tray icon will turn to red. |
| 3. | Click on the "Add" button (or press ALT-D). This starts the EZMacro wizard program which will guide you through the macro creation process. |
| 4. | When the next screen appears, click on "Next" (or press ENTER) to accept the defaults. |
| 5. | When the next screen appears, click on "Next" (or press ENTER) to accept the defaults. |
| 6. | The next screen will prompt you for the hot-key to assign to this macro. To assign a hot-key, simply type the key combination as if you were trying to run the macro. For example, if you want to assign CTRL-1 to the macro, hold CTRL down and press "1". If the key combination you pressed is valid, then it will appear in the box on the screen. If not, then the word "none" will appear. Note- you can always change the hot-key for a macro later if you wish. After assigning the hot-key combination, click on "Next" (or press ENTER) to advance to the next screen. |
| 7. | Click on the "Record" button (or press ALT-R). The macro screen will disappear and EZMacros will begin recording your keystrokes. Now is when you press the keys that you wish EZMacros to record for playback later. After entering all the keystrokes that you wish to record, press the PAUSE button to stop recording. The macro screen will re-appear. Click on "Next" (or press ENTER) to advance to the final screen. |
| Note- If you make mistakes while in record mode, your mistakes will be recorded as well! If you make mistakes and wish to start recording over, press the PAUSE button to stop recording, then click on the "Record" button to start recording again. |
| 8. | Enter a brief description of the macro then click on "Finish" (or press ENTER) to finish the macro creation procedure. Your new macro will appear in the list of macros. |
| 9. | To activate EZMacros, click on "Activate Hot-Keys and Hide" (or press ALT-A). The light on the icon should turn from red to green. |
| Note- If you don't see the EZMacros icon in the system tray, then you probably accidentally closed the program. To re-load EZMacros, click on the "User" menu at the top of the Word Processing screen and then click on "Load EZMacros". |