Automating keystrokes and actions in Windows

Question

I want to be able to either record key strokes or enter them in manually and be able to replay them.

For example:

Copy

1. Manually highlight the text I want to copy.

2. Ctrl+C

3. Alt+Tab
   Manually position the cursor where I want to paste the text.

4. Ctrl+V

5. Alt+Shift+F10

6. T

This would allow me to copy text into MS Word and set the formatting of the text.

Are there any tools for this?

Answer 1

AutoHotKey can be used to make hotkeys that do what you want. It even has a recorder to ease the process of creating your script.

Here's a quick example I threw together based on what you're trying to do:

; The X, Y coordinates inside your target window to click for pasting
targetX = 0
targetY = 0

!^v::
{
Send, {CTRLDOWN}c{CTRLUP}{ALTDOWN}{TAB}{ALTUP}
WinWait, Microsoft Word, 
    IfWinNotActive, Microsoft Word, , WinActivate, Microsoft Word, 
    WinWaitActive, Microsoft Word, 
    MouseClick, left,  %targetX%, %targetY%
    Sleep, 100
    Send, {CTRLDOWN}v{CTRLUP}
    Send, {ALTDOWN}{SHIFTDOWN}{F10}{SHIFTUP}{ALTUP}{SHIFTDOWN}t{SHIFTUP}
}

This script makes Ctrl + Alt + V a hotkey that executes the above script.

Answer 2

Check out AutoIt

Answer 3

You can automate anything with windows, it just depends on what your needs are and your skill level.

As recommended autoit is probably the entry level of a category of tools that leads up to full blown commercial automation tools which are primarily used for testing applications.

Answer 4

You can do basic macros (recorded keystrokes & delays) with a Logitech G15 keyboard.

Answer 5

I've been using Macro Express for this sort of thing for years.

Good software, never had an issue with it - not free though.