# Macro shortcuts: Send a whole string when pressing just one key
# Macros - Send multiple keystrokes when pressing just one key
Instead of using the `ACTION_MACRO` function, you can simply use `M(n)` to access macro *n* - *n* will get passed into the `action_get_macro` as the `id`, and you can use a switch statement to trigger it. This gets called on the keydown and keyup, so you'll need to use an if statement testing `record->event.pressed` (see keymap_default.c).
QMK has a number of ways to define and use macros. These can do anything you want- type common phrases for you, copypasta, repetitive game movements, or even help you code.
**Security Note**: While it is possible to use macros to send passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information it is a supremely bad idea to do so. Anyone who gets ahold of your keyboard will be able to access that information by opening a text editor.
# Macro Definitions
By default QMK assumes you don't have any macros. To define your macros you create an `action_get_macro()` function. For example:
```c
const macro_t *action_get_macro(keyrecord_t *record, uint8_t id, uint8_t opt) // this is the function signature -- just copy/paste it into your keymap file as it is.
{
switch(id) {
case 0: // this would trigger when you hit a key mapped as M(0)
if (record->event.pressed) {
return MACRO( I(255), T(H), T(E), T(L), T(L), W(255), T(O), END ); // this sends the string 'hello' when the macro executes
This defines two macros which will be run when the key they are assigned to is pressed. If you'd like them to run when the release is released instead you can change the if statement:
```c
if (!record->event.pressed) {
```
## Macro Commands
A macro can include the following commands:
* I() change interval of stroke in milliseconds.
@ -24,124 +39,137 @@ A macro can include the following commands:
* W() wait (milliseconds).
* END end mark.
So above you can see the stroke interval changed to 255ms between each keystroke, then a bunch of keys being typed, waits a while, then the macro ends.
## Sending strings
Sometimes you just want a key to type out words or phrases. For the most common situations we've provided `SEND_STRING()`, which will type out your string for you instead of having to build a `MACRO()`. Right now it assumes a US keymap with a QWERTY layout, so if you are using something else it may not behave as you expect.
When you press the key on the left it will type "Hi!" and when you press the key on the right it will type "Bye!".
Note: Using macros to have your keyboard send passwords for you is possible, but a bad idea.
## Naming your macros
If you have a bunch of macros you want to refer to from your keymap, while keeping the keymap easily readable, you can name them using `#define` at the top of your file.
To get more control over the keys/actions your keyboard takes, the following functions are available to you in the `action_get_macro` function block:
To get more control over the keys/actions your keyboard takes, the following functions are available to you in the `action_get_macro()` function block:
* `record->event.pressed`
###`record->event.pressed`
This is a boolean value that can be tested to see if the switch is being pressed or released. An example of this is
```c
if (record->event.pressed) {
// on keydown
} else {
// on keyup
}
if (record->event.pressed) {
// on keydown
} else {
// on keyup
}
```
* `register_code(<kc>);`
###`register_code(<kc>);`
This sends the `<kc>` keydown event to the computer. Some examples would be `KC_ESC`, `KC_C`, `KC_4`, and even modifiers such as `KC_LSFT` and `KC_LGUI`.
* `unregister_code(<kc>);`
###`unregister_code(<kc>);`
Parallel to `register_code` function, this sends the `<kc>` keyup event to the computer. If you don't use this, the key will be held down until it's sent.
* `layer_on(<n>);`
###`layer_on(<n>);`
This will turn on the layer `<n>` - the higher layer number will always take priority. Make sure you have `KC_TRNS` for the key you're pressing on the layer you're switching to, or you'll get stick there unless you have another plan.
* `layer_off(<n>);`
###`layer_off(<n>);`
This will turn off the layer `<n>`.
* `clear_keyboard();`
###`clear_keyboard();`
This will clear all mods and keys currently pressed.
* `clear_mods();`
###`clear_mods();`
This will clear all mods currently pressed.
*`clear_keyboard_but_mods();`
###`clear_keyboard_but_mods();`
This will clear all keys besides the mods currently pressed.
*`update_tri_layer(layer_1, layer_2, layer_3);`
###`update_tri_layer(layer_1, layer_2, layer_3);`
If the user attempts to activate layer 1 AND layer 2 at the same time (for example, by hitting their respective layer keys), layer 3 will be activated. Layers 1 and 2 will _also_ be activated, for the purposes of fallbacks (so a given key will fall back from 3 to 2, to 1 -- and only then to 0).
### Naming your macros
If you have a bunch of macros you want to refer to from your keymap, while keeping the keymap easily readable, you can just name them like so:
```
#define AUD_OFF M(6)
#define AUD_ON M(7)
#define MUS_OFF M(8)
#define MUS_ON M(9)
#define VC_IN M(10)
#define VC_DE M(11)
#define PLOVER M(12)
#define EXT_PLV M(13)
```
As was done on the [Planck default keymap](https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/keyboards/planck/keymaps/default/keymap.c#L33-L40)
#### Timer functionality
It's possible to start timers and read values for time-specific events - here's an example:
```c
static uint16_t key_timer;
key_timer = timer_read();
if (timer_elapsed(key_timer) <100){
// do something if less than 100ms have passed
} else {
// do something if 100ms or more have passed
}
```
It's best to declare the `static uint16_t key_timer;` outside of the macro block (top of file, etc).
### Example: Single-key copy/paste (hold to copy, tap to paste)
# Example: Single-key copy/paste (hold to copy, tap to paste)
With QMK, it's easy to make one key do two things, as long as one of those things is being a modifier. :) So if you want a key to act as Ctrl when held and send the letter R when tapped, that's easy: `CTL_T(KC_R)`. But what do you do when you want that key to send Ctrl-V (paste) when tapped, and Ctrl-C (copy) when held?
key_timer = timer_read(); // if the key is being pressed, we start the timer.
}
else { // this means the key was just released, so we can figure out how long it was pressed for (tap or "held down").
if (timer_elapsed(key_timer) > 150) { // 150 being 150ms, the threshhold we pick for counting something as a tap.
return MACRO( D(LCTL), T(C), U(LCTL), END );
}
else {
return MACRO( D(LCTL), T(V), U(LCTL), END );
}
return MACRO( D(LCTL), T(C), U(LCTL), END );
} else {
return MACRO( D(LCTL), T(V), U(LCTL), END );
}
break;
}
}
}
return MACRO_NONE;
};
```
And then, to assign this macro to a key on your keyboard layout, you just use `M(0)` on the key you want to press for copy/paste.
To assign this macro to a key on your keyboard layout, you just use `M(0)` on the key you want to press for copy/paste.
# Dynamic macros: record and replay macros in runtime
@ -177,9 +205,11 @@ Add the following keys to your keymap:
Add the following code to the very beginning of your `process_record_user()` function:
```c
if (!process_record_dynamic_macro(keycode, record)) {
return false;
}
```
That should be everything necessary. To start recording the macro, press either `DYN_REC_START1` or `DYN_REC_START2`. To finish the recording, press the `DYN_REC_STOP` layer button. To replay the macro, press either `DYN_MACRO_PLAY1` or `DYN_MACRO_PLAY2`.
@ -187,29 +217,14 @@ Note that it's possible to replay a macro as part of a macro. It's ok to replay
For users of the earlier versions of dynamic macros: It is still possible to finish the macro recording using just the layer modifier used to access the dynamic macro keys, without a dedicated `DYN_REC_STOP` key. If you want this behavior back, use the following snippet instead of the one above:
if (!process_record_dynamic_macro(macro_kc, record)) {
return false;
}
```
If the LED-s start blinking during the recording with each keypress, it means there is no more space for the macro in the macro buffer. To fit the macro in, either make the other macro shorter (they share the same buffer) or increase the buffer size by setting the `DYNAMIC_MACRO_SIZE` preprocessor macro (default value: 128; please read the comments for it in the header).
If the LED's start blinking during the recording with each keypress, it means there is no more space for the macro in the macro buffer. To fit the macro in, either make the other macro shorter (they share the same buffer) or increase the buffer size by setting the `DYNAMIC_MACRO_SIZE` preprocessor macro (default value: 128; please read the comments for it in the header).
For the details about the internals of the dynamic macros, please read the comments in the `dynamic_macro.h` header.
# Sending strings
Some people want to have a password or some text on a key. This is possible without having to do every key individually using `SEND_STRING("<text>");`. Note the caps, because `send_string("<text>");` does something else. For example:
```c
const macro_t *action_get_macro(keyrecord_t *record, uint8_t id, uint8_t opt) // this is the function signature -- just copy/paste it into your keymap file as it is.
{
switch(id) {
case 0: // this would trigger when you hit a key mapped as M(0)
if (record->event.pressed) {
SEND_STRING("QMK is the best thing ever!"); // This would type "QMK is the best thing ever!" (without quotation marks).
return false; // This is false because it has to return something.
}
break;
}
return MACRO_NONE;
};
```
If you'd want it to press enter as well, just replace `return false;` with `return MACRO( T(ENT), END );`.
skullY
8 years ago