Automating keystrokes and actions in Windows

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?

5 Answers

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.

Check out AutoIt

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.

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

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

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