Expert's Rating
Pros
- Scripting language
- Useful wizards
Cons
- Not for casual users
- Dated UI
Our Verdict
Macro Scheduler lets you create macros to control your Windows applications, automate software processes and assign tasks to scheduled events, desktop shortcuts or hotkeys. Perform complex tasks with a single mouse click, or schedule your computer to perform tasks while you are away. Power users will appreciate the ability of the Pro version to compile scripts into standalone EXE files which can be launched on any Windows PC, and an integrated script debugger aids the creation of complex macros. The Macro Scheduler script language, now supports custom dialogs, complex expressions, subroutines and array type variables. Scripts can also include Microsoft VBScript code, combining the power and ease of use of the Macro Scheduler script engine with the popular syntax of VBScript, and allowing increased flexibility and advanced ActiveX automation. Macro Scheduler saves you time by allowing you to create scripts or record macros to automate any task. More than 200 script commands and standard programming constructs include the ability to send keystrokes and mouse events to other applications, wait for windows to open and close, make a particular window active, perform internet tasks, run programs and commands, execute files, read from and write to files, copy, move and delete files, and control applications with DDE. You do not have to be – or hire – a programmer to use Macro Scheduler. For complete ease of use, you can record macros to automatically create efficient, reliable scripts that can be edited and modified later. Recorded macros can even be compiled into standalone Windows applications. From running regular disk maintenance to generating financial reports, controlling file transfers and downloading e-mail, Macro Scheduler lets your computer work while you are not there. By operating at the user level it is application-independent and allows automation of repetitive, time consuming tasks. Automate intricate software processes and save wasted time and money.
Note: This review addresses v11 of the software.
The Macro Scheduler Standard techie tool allows for creating a wide variety of macros that can automate most any Windows task, from opening particular programs to extracting Excel data to requesting specific HTTP data. Macros can be scheduled to run at a particular time, or can be set to run in response to a specific event such as opening or closing a certain window.
While Macro Scheduler Standard includes extensive documentation and a nice beginner’s tutorial, it’s clearly a tool for IT types and other advanced users. Its built-in scripting language is relatively simple, but to construct a new macro you’ll still need to be comfortable with things like variable substitution and other scripting basics.
If that’s you, and if you have to perform many repetitive Windows tasks for your job, Macro Scheduler could be a real boon. A wide variety of pre-made macros for handling clipboard extraction, program startups, text manipulation and a host of other functions provide a starting point for creating your own scripts, and a smooth script editor eases the subsequent work.
Macro Scheduler can also record your keystrokes and mouse moves, and convert them to a macro. But properly using mouse actions in a recorded or manually created macro can be a bit tricky, as they require that windows always be in the exact same location, for instance. If the features sound useful to you, though, Macro Scheduler Standard is well worth the download.
Note: Macro Scheduler Standard for business use costs $95. Additional Lite, Professional and Enterprise versions with different feature sets and prices are also available, as are editions priced for home use.
–Erik Larkin