Wait for Keypress

 
Modify Keys > Replacement Text > Wait for Keypress

 
The Wait for Keypress option instructs the macro to wait during playback until a specific key is pressed. The user may input text, move the mouse, etc. until that key is pressed. Once the selected key is pressed, the macro resumes.
 

Keypress to Wait for

Select the key to use from the drop-down list. During playback, the macro stops when it reaches the Wait for Key Press command in the script and waits for the selected key to be pressed. Choices include letters of the alphabet, the function keys or several other common keys such as Enter, Tab, etc.

Considerations

Below are several things to consider when using this function.

1. When selecting a letter of the alphabet or number, that character will type out into the application that has focus. After typing that character, the macro continues.

2. If using keys such as F3, F5, etc, make sure that they do not conflict with the application in use. These keys may be defined in the program to perform a specific function and will interfere with the shortkey playback.

3. If looking for a key less likely to conflict with other operations, a key such as ESC may be a good choice.

4. Do not make the last keystroke before the Wait for Keypress the same key as the one to wait for.

•For example, the shortkey plays back a string of text and presses the Enter key.

•This is followed by the Wait for Keypress.

•If Enter is selected as the keypress, ShortKeys sees the previous Enter, considers the wait complete and continues with the macro.

•To avoid this problem, insert a short Delay before Wait for Keypress or select something other than the Enter key.

5. If using the Any Key option, then a Delay must be placed in the Replacement Text directly before the Wait for Keypress - Any Key function.

The longer the string of text before the Wait for Keypress, the longer the delay needs to be. The delay allows the shortkey keyboard buffer to clear before the Wait for Keypress takes effect.

Maximum Wait Time Allowed

With this option checked, the macro waits the number of hours, minutes and seconds specified for the Wait For action to occur. If that action does not take place within the specified time frame, the macro terminates. During this wait time, another shortkey macro may not be initiated.

üNote: To manually stop the shortkey, press the Scroll Lock + Pause keys or left mouse click on the ShortKeys icon in the notification area. The icon in the notification area displays a green arrow indicating that the macro is still running.