Using Macros

From NeoWiki

Contents 1 Recording a Simple Macro 2 Saving Code as a Macro 3 Assigning a Shortcut Key to a Macro 4 Adding a Toolbar Button for a Macro 5 Creating a Button for a Macro 6 Documentation/Support for Macros 7 Sources of Macros

Recording a Simple Macro

1. Go to Tools, choose Macros and then Record Macro
2. Perform the series of steps you want the macro to do for you automatically. (For example, apply a particular style)
3. When you have finished all the steps, click on Stop recording
4. In the window that appears, give the macro a name.
5. Assign the macro to a Library and Module (See chapter 10 of the NeoOffice User Guide mentioned below for more information)
6. Click Save when you have the settings the way you want

Saving Code as a Macro

Sometimes you may find code provided in a forum or in a text document that you want to add as a macro. To do so, follow these steps:

• Under the Tools choose Macros, then Organise Macros, and finally NeoOffice Basic...
• Note that if the code is written in something other than NeoOffice/OpenOffice.org Basic, you need to choose the corresponding language at this point.
• Choose the Library and Module where you want the Macro to be stored in the left panel
  • e.g. in My Macros-Standard-Module1 (it highights this by default)
• Make sure that "Main" is highlighted in the right panel
• click on Edit.
• Paste the code in anywhere below the Main/End Sub lines - making sure you don't paste in the middle of any other macros you saved; a couple of lines after Main's End Sub line is an obvious choice.
• Click Save

Assigning a Shortcut Key to a Macro

1. Go to Tools>Customize...
2. Click on the Keyboard tab
3. In the Category box, scroll down to "NeoOfficeMacros" and highlight it
4. Burrow your way down through "user" and the library and module your macros are stored in. Eventually your new macros will be listed in the Function box
5. Highlight one of those macros
6. In the Shortcut Keys box select the key you want to assign to that macro
7. Set the radio button to specify if the key assignment is for all of NeoOffice or only for Writer
8. click Modify

Adding a Toolbar Button for a Macro

Creating a Button for a Macro

You can create a button which runs a macro in a Writer or a Calc document by using the followiing method:

1. Go to the View menu, open the Toolbars sub-menu, and choose Form Controls.
2. Click on the little triangle on the right top of the toolbar that appears to activate the design mode. Click on the Push button icon. The pointer changes into a cross.
3. Draw the button as you wish. Control-click it, choose Control... in the context menu.
4. Click on the General tab and give your button a title (label).
5. Click on the Events tab. Click on the event, for example Mouse button pressed and click on the ... button to open the Assign action window.
6. Click on the Macro... button.
7. Choose your macro. Click on OK and again on OK, and then close the Properties: Button window.
8. Quit the Design mode by clicking on the little triangle in the top right of the toolbar.

Documentation/Support for Macros

Chapter 10 of the NeoOffice User Guide (draft) discusses Basic and Macros.

The Getting Started with Macros Guide to OpenOffice.org can be downloaded with this link Just remember to use the command key where the OpenOffice guide says to use the control key.

Andrew Pitonyak has both a free downloadable document on OpenOffice Macros and a book that you can purchase.

The OpenOffice.org Macros and API forum is a good source of information on Macros.

See especially this thread with an extensive list of internet and print resources on Macros.

Sources of Macros

OOoMacros.org has a library of macros available for download.
In the forums at trinity, yoxi provides the code for a macro to remove carriage returns.
Writer Tools A set of Macros that appear as an additional menu in OpenOffice.org, and thus presumably in OpenOffice.org as well.