Please Choose One

Creating Macros and Assigning Them to Function Keys in BISON

You can assign macros to your function keys or any other key in BISON by simply following these instructions:

  1. Go to the BISON screen you where you will be using the function key

  2. Use your mouse to click on Macro in the tool bar.

  3. Choose Start Recording from the pull-down menu

  4. Type the exact sequence of keystrokes necessary for the operation you want to record. For example, if you want to move to a particular place in a holdings screen, use the tab key to tab down to where you need to be. Remember, every keystroke you make will be recorded.

  5. When you have finished recording, click on Macro in the tool bar once again.

  6. Choose End Recording from the pull-down menu.

  7. A window entitled Save Recorded Macro File will appear. In the box marked File Name type the name you want to call the macro, followed by the extension .wwb. For example, if you are creating a macro for a 690 field, type 690.wwb in the File Name box.

  8. Then click on the OK button.

  9. Next, assign the macro to a function key by clicking on Options in the tool bar.

  10. Choose Keyboard Mapping ... from the pull-down menu.

  11. A window entitled Keyboard Profile -- Default will appear. In the box marked Select Function Type click on the arrow to the right of the box.

  12. From the drop-down menu choose Macros.

  13. Next, click on the button below marked Browse.

  14. A window entitled Browse Macro Files will appear. In the box below the File Name box there will be a listing of all the macros you’ve created. Choose the macro you want to assign to a function key by clicking on its name. When its name appears in the File Name box, click on the OK button.

  15. The path to the macro file you’ve just created will appear in the box marked Function located directly below the Select Function Type in the Keyboard Profile -- Default window. To assign the macro to a function key, click on the button matching the function key you want to assign the macro to -- for example, F1.

  16. The Current Key section of the Keyboard Profile window will show you what, if any values are currently assigned to that particular key. Unless you are totally confident in what you are doing, DO NOT assign a macro to a key that already has an assigned value. Choose one labelled Not assigned instead by clicking on the radio button (round button) to the left of the choices.

  17. Next, click on the macro path in the Function box and drag it to the key to which you want to assign the macro by holding the left mouse button. While you are dragging an arrow will appear. Simply move the arrow to the key to which you wish to assign the macro and let go of the left mouse button.

  18. You will be able to tell if you’ve been successful by checking the Current Key section of the Keyboard Profile window. If it contains the same macro path as the one in the Function box, then you’ve successfully assigned the macro to the function key.

  19. Next, click on the box marked Save.

  20. A window entitled Save Keyboard Profile will appear with the value of [Default] in the Profile box. Again, click on the box marked Save and you're done.

Ellen Greenblatt

Last updated 2/20/97