Working and living as a programmer means I am pretty much on my computer or playing around on it all the time - sometimes maybe too much. I am sure many of you out there can relate. This also means I am always looking for tools to make my life easier. As of late I have found AutoHotkey to be a really cool time saving application. Well today I am going to show you how to create an AutoHotkey script that will help reduce redundant work.
Now, I am guessing most of you are asking "What is AutoHotkey?". From my interaction with it the short answer is: a utility to help automate tasks. The long version is that AutoHotkey is an application that allows for scripts to be ran that can define global hotkeys or execute programs or can be used to build applications that utilize AutHotkey's functionality. There are almost endless possibilities of what can be done with the tool. AutoHotkey is limited to Windows only however, sorry mac and linux geeks.
Today, however, we are going to start by creating a very simple script. The script we are going to create will do a few things. The first thing we are going to do is create a hotkey that will open up Notepad++, my text editor of choice. We will then create a hotkey that will present us with an input box and then will search this site, Tech.pro, for whatever was put in the input box. Lastly, we will add a piece of code that will be auto executed when our script starts up - in my case when Windows starts.
To get the ball rolling you first need to download and install the AutoHotkey application. This should go really quick the download is less than 2MB currently and should only take a few seconds to install. Ok now that that is out of the way we can get to coding. Open up your text editor of choice and create a new document. The very first thing we are going to build is a "Hello World" script.
Our hello world script is going to create a message box and print out
"Hello World". To accomplish this we will take advantage of the MsgBox
command available in AutoHotkey. This function can simply be called with
some text attached. The following code demonstrates this. Notice that
after the function name there is a comma.
MsgBox, Hello World
To run this we save the file, I named mine AutoHotkey.ahk (the .ahk is important), and then just double click the script file or right click and select "Run Script". This should popup a window like above. We can click the "OK" button and continue on. Also in your system try you will see an icon like the one to the right. This shows that the script is running, meaning that any hotkeys that defined in the script file are usable at this time. We can also right click the system try icon to pause, edit, reload, and exit the script.
An AutoHotkey script file is setup in the following manner, all the code you want automatically executed (like our "Hello World" message) goes at the top of the file and doesn't have any identifiers attached. Identifiers are what are used to create hotkeys and more. To declare a hotkey we need to put an identifier for which keys it will be bound to and then what code to run. Now, lets go ahead and clear our script file and enter the following code.
#n:: Run notepad++
This code creates a hotkey which is tied to the combination of the
"Windows key + n" (Windows key is pressed plus the 'n' key is pressed).
When this hotkey is pressed the script will Run notepad++ which simply
opens notepad++. So the basic hotkey syntax is key(s) to press:: code to
run. The "::" separates the two items but can't have a space after the
key(s) to press. As mentioned earlier the "#" symbol represents the
Windows key. The other basic symbols are as follows:
- Windows Key: #
- Control Key: ^
- Alt Key: !
- Shift Key: +
This is only a partial list but includes the most used ones; you can get
a complete list from the AutoHotkey Symbols
Documentation.
So your first hotkey has been created. The next hotkey we are going to
develop is multiline so the syntax is slightly different. The input key
identifier is setup the same way but we now have multiple lines of code
after the identifier. To end the code we add a return call. The code
for the new hotkey follows. I will go over the specifics after.
#s::
InputBox, SearchTerm, Search SOTC, Please enter search term.
if not ErrorLevel
{
if SearchTerm <> ""
Run http://blog.paranoidferret.com/index.php?s=%SearchTerm%&Submit=Search
}
return
So, that looks a bit more complicated than the first hotkey we built.
The code starts off by prompting the user for some input. A input box is
created and shown using the InputBox command. The first parameter for
this command (again after the first comma) is the output variable -
where the string entered into the input box is stored. The second is the
window title and third is the prompt text. You can see a image of this
prompt below. The next line is an if statement to check if the
ErrorLevel has been set by any faults when entering data into the
input box. If no errors have occurred we check to make sure the string
isn't blank. If SearchTerm is not blank we tell windows to go to the
Switch on the Code blog with the GET parameters s set to the search
term and Submit equal to "Search". This searches our blog with the
entered search info.
The final thing we are going to do today is add an auto executing piece
of script to the top of our script. This code will make the windows
taskbar semi transparent. To make the taskbar or any window transparent
you can use the WinSet command. The command takes a few parameters.
The first parameter is the attribute to set on the window in this case
we set it to Transparent. The next parameter is the value of
transparency which can be any value from 0 (invisible) to 255 (fully
opaque). The final parameter for this is the window to change
transparency on. For our call we use a special constant,
ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd, which refers to the taskbar.
WinSet, Transparent, 180, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
That wraps up this tutorial. The only thing left to show you is the completed script file.
WinSet, Transparent, 180, ahk_class Shell_TrayWnd
#n:: Run notepad++
#s::
InputBox, SearchTerm, Search SOTC, Please enter search term.
if not ErrorLevel
{
if SearchTerm <> ""
Run http://blog.paranoidferret.com/index.php?s=%SearchTerm%&Submit=Search
}
return
I hope that this tutorial helps you get up and running with AutoHotkey. Also, feel free to download the script we created today from the source listing below.
Source Files:
I really like this program, whats a good program for monitoring active projects and logging your hours though? I'm using a simple batch file that I made right now but I'd like something a little more functional and I couldn't find anything on google..
That would make life alot easier
Hello! I recently installed autohotkeys, and I am still in process of learning. I would like to know is there any way to make a hotkey for a symbol? In my case , I am particularly interested in right arrow. Thanks!
[ahk] *up::YOUR COMMANDS [/ahk]
for example: [ahk] *up::msgbox, you pressed the up arrow [/ahk] would show a message box when you press the up arrow
[ahk] *#up::msgbox, you pressed the up arrow [/ahk]
this maps the same action to winkey+up arrow. note the "#". remember: # = winkey \^ = ctrl key ! = alt key + = shift key
you can also open the autohotkey help (right click the tray icon of a running script, and choose help), and look for "remap keys or mouse buttons"
p.s. to make the previous code work for the right mouse button replace "up" with "right"
hey there, just wondering why i can never seem to get it to work, im trying to create a macro were when i press the F key, it presses numpad 1-4 at the same time! any ideas???
START: WinActivate, WINDOW 1 TITLE Sleep, 10000 WinActivate, WINDOW 2 TITLE Sleep, 10000 GOTO START
[language];PushToTalk.ahk ; Push and hold Win+S to activate the microphone, release to mute. ;Skrommel @2006
#SingleInstance,Force
applicationname=PushToTalk Gosub,TRAYMENU SoundGet,micvol,Microphone:2,Volume SoundSet,0,Microphone:2,Volume ToolTip,Mic is Off Sleep,2000 ToolTip, Return
#s:: SoundGet,micvol,Microphone:2,Volume ToolTip,Mic is On SoundSet,100,Microphone:2,Volume Loop { Sleep,10 GetKeyState,states,LWin,P GetKeyState,state,S,P states=%states%%state% IfInString,states,U Break } ToolTip,Mic is Off SoundSet,0,Microphone:2,Volume Sleep,2000 ToolTip, Return
TRAYMENU: Menu,Tray,NoStandard Menu,Tray,DeleteAll Menu,Tray,Add,%applicationname%,TOGGLE Menu,Tray,Add Menu,Tray,Add,&Mic enabled,TOGGLE Menu,Tray,Add Menu,Tray,Add,&About...,ABOUT Menu,Tray,Add,E&xit,EXIT Menu,Tray,Default,%applicationname% Menu,Tray,UnCheck,&Mic enabled Menu,Tray,Tip,%applicationname% Return
TOGGLE: SoundGet,micvol,Microphone:2,Volume If micvol=0 { ToolTip,Mic is On SoundSet,100,Microphone:2,Volume Menu,Tray,Check,&Mic enabled } Else { ToolTip,Mic is Off SoundSet,0,Microphone:2,Volume Menu,Tray,UnCheck,&Mic enabled } Sleep,2000 ToolTip, Return
ABOUT: Gui,99:Destroy Gui,99:Margin,20,20 Gui,99:Add,Picture,xm Icon1,%applicationname%.exe Gui,99:Font,Bold Gui,99:Add,Text,x+10 yp+10,%applicationname% v1.0 Gui,99:Font Gui,99:Add,Text,y+10,Push and hold Win+S to activate the microphone, release to mute.
Gui,99:Add,Picture,xm y+20 Icon5,%applicationname%.exe Gui,99:Font,Bold Gui,99:Add,Text,x+10 yp+10,1 Hour Software by Skrommel Gui,99:Font Gui,99:Add,Text,y+10,For more tools, information and donations, please visit Gui,99:Font,CBlue Underline Gui,99:Add,Text,y+5 G1HOURSOFTWARE,www.1HourSoftware.com Gui,99:Font
Gui,99:Add,Picture,xm y+20 Icon7,%applicationname%.exe Gui,99:Font,Bold Gui,99:Add,Text,x+10 yp+10,DonationCoder Gui,99:Font Gui,99:Add,Text,y+10,Please support the contributors at Gui,99:Font,CBlue Underline Gui,99:Add,Text,y+5 GDONATIONCODER,www.DonationCoder.com Gui,99:Font
Gui,99:Add,Picture,xm y+20 Icon6,%applicationname%.exe Gui,99:Font,Bold Gui,99:Add,Text,x+10 yp+10,AutoHotkey Gui,99:Font Gui,99:Add,Text,y+10,This tool was made using the powerful Gui,99:Font,CBlue Underline Gui,99:Add,Text,y+5 GAUTOHOTKEY,www.AutoHotkey.com Gui,99:Font
Gui,99:Show,,%applicationname% About hCurs:=DllCall("LoadCursor","UInt",NULL,"Int",32649,"UInt") ;IDC_HAND OnMessage(0x200,"WM_MOUSEMOVE") Return
1HOURSOFTWARE: Run,http://www.1hoursoftware.com,,UseErrorLevel Return
DONATIONCODER: Run,http://www.donationcoder.com,,UseErrorLevel Return
AUTOHOTKEY: Run,http://www.autohotkey.com,,UseErrorLevel Return
99GuiClose: Gui,99:Destroy OnMessage(0x200,"") DllCall("DestroyCursor","Uint",hCur) Return
WM_MOUSEMOVE(wParam,lParam) { Global hCurs MouseGetPos,,,,ctrl If ctrl in Static7,Static11,Static15 DllCall("SetCursor","UInt",hCurs) Return } Return
EXIT: ExitApp [/language]
On Fri, May 21, 2010 at 3:02 PM, Ok, first understand that i never touched a comuter until a year ago. now, I have downloaded autohotkey, this is what i want it for, On Tagged .com there is a game called pets where in people buy and sell people, ok there are "pet runs" as in a new usually hot profile pops up and everyone jumps in at once to 'Run" the pet and make money for their own account, problem , people are useing hot keys so they get virtually every hit they click on ,,,basically the server for tagged cant even calculate it fast enough,, so how do i write the script to make ny mouse clicks super xuper fast when leftclicking on buy to buy a pet that is in a run ??? do i even have the right program ?? PLEASE HELP !!! thank you very very much !!!! > >
Thanks for this mini-tutorial.
I've just started playing w AHK, and am stumped by the range of commands and unfamiliar syntax. Never done any proper programming, so it's all a bit opaque. The explanation here is clear, and gives me some confidence in at least a couple of things.
Would like to see some equally simple scripts for things like sending lines of text to a file, adding values from a spreadsheet, and saving the file with a new name.
I'll see what I can come up with for a simple post or two on some of these things.
I've recently started using AHK and am trying to creating text scripts in multiple languages, i.e. chinese, japanese, spanish, etc. Anyone have an idea how to do this? Tks
Help! Can you please tell me how to set the X-Y coordinates do a mouse click on a specific spot of the screen? Thanks.
Use the AU3_spy program that comes with ahk. Navigate to the spot you are interested in. Make sure the window is maximize so it will be a consistent size. Spy will give you the x and y coordinates. In your ahk script you can move the mouse there with the mousemove command. MouseMove, 200, 100 You do not have to move first if you want to click there Click 100, 200 ; Click left mouse button at specified coordinates.
guys any1 knows what to input in my notepad that when i hold number 2 it will automatically pressed f1-f9..
I tried the hello world autohotkey it worked but the others didn't. I copy and pasted the code into notepad++ and saved as AutoHotKey.ahk but it didn't open notepad++. When i press windows key and n key it does open notepad so I guess the hot key is not pressing the keys. Any help would be appreciated.
Which code? You can use the 'Run' command to start an application, for example: [ahk]F1::Run C:\My Folder\App.exe[/ahk] Just be sure to use the correct path or your app won't run properly.
I run a photo booth. Right now person has to press 2 buttons to take picture and change print style. I am trying to make this happen with one button so I need autohotkey. Anyone help with this?
That is very easy to do, just use the 'Send' command. For example, if you press the F1 button, it will send asdf [ahk]F1::Send asdf[/ahk]
I have several scripts/macros that I run on a regular basis. Occasionally (sp?) I need to interrupt the script/macro and so I thought I could add in a line somewhere that basically says that if I hit the Esc button it will pause the script/macro. How do I do this? I have tried to figure it out but cannot.
Simply add this line into your script to pause/unpause it [ahk]Esc::Pause[/ahk]
here is one of my scripts:
FileAppend, start www.google.com, google.bat ;creates a batch file with the content ' start www.google.com FileMove, google.bat, C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup ;moves created file to startup FileDelete, google.bat ;deletes file (the one thats not in startup)
conclusion:
it creates a batch file that opens up the defualt browser and browses to www.google.com (it does this everytime you restart the pc) it copies itself into the startup folder have fun.
anyone know how to do that? when i press Alt+left-click it do f9
You can do it with on one liner like this: [ahk]\~!Lbutton::Send {F9}[/ahk]
L o v e AHK,, more beginner level scripts, please. Primary interest is automating office tasks.
www.autohotkey.com/fourm/topic55012htmlhilight=invert+colors.
\~RButton & D::MsgBox You pressed D while holding down the right mouse button.You scrolled down.
I was wondering if their was anyone out there that could teach me how to make a script to make my life 10 times easier. Im talking taking 4-5 hours of work out of my life EACH DAY that I most of the time am not making money for. I need help bottem line. Please email me at Alewis91690@yahoo.com ANYONE TO EMAIL ME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND POSSIBLY COMPENSATED.
P.S i won't give your email out. if that matters.
I've copied your example. The website opens but the search term does not show up in the search field. Any thoughts?
Okay, I'm a beginning beginner. I wrote a small program but only the first step works. Here it is
#s::Run http://softwaresupport.us.vsmgroup.com/subscriptions/members/Login.aspx return
from here the cursor then goes to a message box for my ID No., which I want to write into the program and then I tab into another message box to insert my email address then I'm supposed press return
I have tried to write the rest of the program but my ID No. never gets written into the message box. Does anyone have any suggestions?
[ahk]#s:: Run http://softwaresupport.us.vsmgroup.com/subscriptions/members/Login.aspx Sleep 5000 Send {tab}*Put your ID number here*{tab}*put your email address here*{tab}{enter} return ;Done ;)[/ahk] If your internet connection is slow and the page isn't loaded yet, increase your 'sleep' time
Computer programming seems like tons of fun 4 u guys. Now im seriously thinking about it lmao wow. thumbs up
If you have any questions, just post them at the forum --> http://www.autohotkey.com/board/ Or you can join on the IRC channel --> http://www.autohotkey.com/board/topic/25859-live-chat-instant-autohotkey-help-just-add-water/
whats the code to type? i need it to fill out forms with the exact same numbers all the time. currently at
!`:: click 344,1114 sleep 500 click 486,627 MButton::Click 2 sleep 500 Send 1 {enter}
That should click certain buttons and then double click to select all and then replace the current numbers with 1 but its not typing 1