Macro recorder

A macro recorder is a piece of software that "records" user actions for "playback at a later time". The main advantage of using a macro recorder is that it allows a user to easily perform complex operations much faster and with less effort without requiring custom computer programming / scripting.

Built-in Macro Recorders

Most word processors, text editors and other office programs come with built-in macro recorder tools which automate the user actions .

Standalone Macro Recorders

Not every single software comes with a built-in macro recorder. A standalone macro recorder program allows a user to "record" mouse and keyboard functions for "playback" at a later time. This allows automating any activity in any software: from copy-pasting spreadsheet data to Operating system maintenance actions.

Most macro recorders do not attempt to analyze / understand what the user did when the macro was recorded. This can cause problems when trying to play back a macro if the user's desktop environment has changed. For example, if the user has changed their desktop resolution, moved icons, or moved the task bar, the mouse macro may not perform the way the user intended. That's one of the reasons why keyboard macros are preferred over the mouse ones.

However, there are some recorders that do attempt to analyze user actions, trying to record mouse activity in window-related, not screen-related coordinates, for instance. Or to detect, exactly what widget was clicked or pressed by a user.

Possible features include:

• a built-in macro editor, that allow composing a macro rather than recording it. This includes adding conditional statements, custom commands such as "open file", "launch website" or "shutdown computer".
• conversion of the macro to a compressed executable file (".exe") that can run standalone, without the need for the software that generated the macro to be present on the user's computer.

History

The emacs text editor is well-known for its macro recording ability, whose name was an acronym for Editing MACroS. Another well known macro application is QuicKeys, popular on Apple computer during 1990s.

Security

Security of the recorded macro needs to be considered. Macros are often stored as data files; sometimes in a format that can be edited by hand. It is conceivable that a malicious hacker could modify the recorded macro file to gain access / run processes / delete files / etc.

See also

• Comparison of Macro Recorder Software
• Macro