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Recording a macro

To record a macro while in a host session, either click the Record macro button or click Actions > Record Macro. This opens the Record Macro window. Using this window, you can do the following:

Record a new macro
Overwrite or append to an existing macro

Record a new macro

  1. Click New.
  2. Type a name for your macro. The name should indicate the purpose of the macro for easy recognition.
  3. Optionally, type a description. This is useful when you have more than one macro, because it can help remind you what the macro is used for. You can also edit the author and creation date.
  4. Select either Web or Certificate under Express Logon Feature if you are recording a macro to use Express Logon. Both types of Express Logon allow users to log on to a host system without having to enter the user ID and password.
  5. Save the macro to either the current session or to a personal library. Macros saved in the current session will only be available from the session. However, macros saved to a personal library (as files) can be used by multple sessions and/or users.
    Note The file name is the macro name plus a .mac extension.
  6. Click OK.
  7. In the host session, perform the task you want to record. Every key you press is recorded as part of the macro. To press keys you don't want to be included in the macro, click Pause. When you finish, click Pause again to continue. If you enter the wrong data while recording a macro, you cannot go back to make corrections. You can, however, record over the existing macro or edit the macro code using the Macro Editor.
  8. When your task is complete, click Actions > Stop Macro. Recording stops and the macro is saved. Macros are recorded using XML script (beginning in Version 4 of Host On-Demand). To make changes to the macro, click the 'Edit current macro properties' button to open the Host Access Macro Editor.

Overwrite or append to an existing macro

  1. Click Existing.
  2. Select a location from the Macro Location drop-down menu. Possible macro locations include Current Session or Personal Library. Note that Server Library is not a location option when overwriting or appending to existing macros.
  3. Select to either overwrite or append to the selected macro.
  4. If you are overwriting an existing macro, you may select to use Express Logon Feature. Both options (Web and Certificate) allow users to log on to a host system without having to enter the user ID and password. The Express Logon Feature option is not available when appending to a an existing macro.
  5. Click OK to display the Record macro window.
  6. When your task is complete, click Actions > Stop Macro. Recording stops and the macro is saved. Macros are recorded using XML script (beginning in Version 4 of Host On-Demand). To make changes to the macro, click the Edit current macro properties button to open the Host Access Macro Editor.
Note To view the macro properties, click the Select button from the Macro Manager toolbar, select the macro location, right-click the macro file name, and select Properties. Macro properties include the macro name, description, author, creation date, and macro location.

Related topics

  • Adding a smart wait
  • Adding a prompt
  • Adding a data extraction
  • Web Express Logon Reference
  • Express Logon
  • Using the Macro Manager
  • Macro Programming Guide