Macro Edit ID

Controls: Options >> Macro Dialog >> Edit >> ID

You need to assign an ID to any macro that you want to invoke via the F8 function key followed by the ID character as a hot-key.

Any normal character key, including digits, letters, or punctuation may be used. Function keys, shift keys, and other keys that don't have associated characters are not allowed. Each ID must be unique, with upper and lower case letters regarded as separate IDs.

However, the hot-key activation is case-insensitive when only one case of that key is present. Since uppercase letters are often easier to read in the Macro List, you can (for example) assign 'J' to a macro but activate it without needing to hit the SHIFT key... unshifted 'j' will work as long as there is no other macro with that ID.

You may also create macros without any ID by leaving this entry blank. Without an ID, you won't be able to invoke it via F8 followed by a hot-key, but you can still use the macro to construct other macros since macro Definitions are by Name, not ID. And you can always invoke non-ID macros by double-clicking on them in the list box.

The ! ID character has a special use: A macro with this ID will be run automatically when Daqarta starts up. If present, the ! macro is always shown at the top of the main macro list.

Alternatively, you can specify an arbitrary ID to be run at startup, by invoking Daqarta using the A: parameter on the command line.

Assuming you have a desktop icon from a standard Daqarta installation, right-click it and select Properties. Under the Shortcut tab, the Target line will show something like:

"C:\Program Files\Daqarta\Daqarta.exe"

Add the A: parameter at the end of that line (outside of the quotes). For example, to specify $ as the startup ID, you would change the above to:

"C:\Program Files\Daqarta\Daqarta.exe" A:$

If you want to have different icons that invoke Daqarta with different startup IDs, create copies by right-clicking and selecting Create Shortcut, then follow the above instructions.

You can also use the A: parameter when invoking Daqarta from a batch file, or from any external program that can issue a command line. The startup macro can perform a test (or series of tests) and then exit Daqarta. This allows you to use selected features of Daqarta as part of a larger system.

See also Macro Edit, Macro Dialog, Macro Overview