Using MacroScheduler with TextPad

[mo]

Hello. I have been trying to set up a tool to use in TextPad and am having some trouble with getting it to work.

I would like to call the Editor of the MacroScheduler program. The path is:

"F:\Program Files\MacroScheduler\Macro Scheduler Pro\msched.exe" -EDITOR

But when I try putting this into the "command" area of the tools properties, I get "System cannot find file"

I have also tried:

F:\Program Files\MacroScheduler\Macro Scheduler Pro\msched.exe -EDITOR
F:\Program Files\MacroScheduler\Macro Scheduler Pro\msched.exe -Editor
... .editor ... .Editor ... $File -Editor ... and others
and
I have tried putting the -Editor in the peramaters area both with and without the $File.

What I want to do is to call the MS editor while I am writing (not recording) a macro/script in TextPad, Open the file I am working on in TextPad in the MS Editor, Perform some function like debugging or creating a dialog, save the file and return to TextPad where TextPad will then have detected that the file has changed and update the file.

I do this currently with CSE html validator for example. I use Tools>CSE; it opens up the working file in CSE, Validates, saves the changes, and when I return to TextPad it asks if I want to update the file.

Like that.

[Bob Hansen]

A good answer to this was provided on the Macro Scheduler forum by support at MJTNet.
I took the liberty of copying it here for TextPad users.
=====================================

Hi,

To run your macro from within TextPad create a new Tool. Go into Configure/Preferences. Under Tools click 'Add'. Select 'Program...' and browse to Macro Scheduler and select your script file (change the file type box from Programs to all files). This is now set up under Tools and when you click on it your script runs (assuming you allowed the Macro Scheduler installer to assign default file associations).

Alternatively select msched.exe and then apply and then modify the properties of the tool and enter your macro name or script file in the Parameters section.

By default it puts $File in the parameters section. This is actually quite cool but not what you want. What this will do is RUN your TextPad document! This is fine if you want to use TextPad as a script editor. In fact it is very useful. Well worth making a tool to do this in fact as then you have the option of creating scripts in textpad and running them with Macro Scheduler.

So you have two ways to run macros from within TextPad and a cool way to have Macro Scheduler run scripts you create in textpad.

As for examples of TextPad related macros - the problem is it depends what you want to do. There are an infinite number of things you might want to automate when it comes to text file manipulation, and everyone's needs are different. But I would suggest, as I do to all Macro Scheduler Newbies, that you read the Getting Started Guide in the help/manual, check out the scripts & tips at http://www.mjtnet.com/scripts.hts and ask questions here. And I would second Lumumba's point about getting in touch with Bob Hansen - he's the TextPad guru around here.
_________________
MJT Net Support
support@mjtnet.com

Hope this is helpful.........good luck,
Bob

[Bob Hansen]

And here is one more exchange of messages from the Macro Scheduler forum:
=================================
Question:

What I was asking about here was a way to call the MS editor while I am writing a macro/script in TextPad, Open the file I am working on in TextPad in the MS Editor, Perform some function like debugging or creating a dialog, save the file and return to TextPad where TextPad will then have detected that the file has changed and update the file.

I do this currently with an html validator for example. I use Tools>CSE; it opens up the working file in CSE, Validates, saves the changes, and when I return to TextPad it asks if I want to update the file.

Like that.

The problem is I can't seem to call up the MS editor from within TextPad....which, as you point out, should probably be being discussed in the TP forum.

My Response:

OK Mike, I've got a better understanding of your needs.

In TextPad, create a tool for Macro Scheduler.

In the command field enter the path and program file, like:
C:\Program Files\MJT Net Ltd\Macro Scheduler\msched.exe

In the parameters field enter -EDITOR $File

In the Initial Folder field, leave it blank.

Click Apply and OK to save the tool.

This will allow you to be editing a script in TextPad, call the MS tool with a CTL-n key to open up Macro Scheduler Editor with the current TP script. Use Macro Scheduler for testing, debugging, additional editing. If you save the script while in MS, then TP will show you the file has been changed if you have the notification feature activated in TextPad.

Note that any additional changes you make in TextPad will not show up in MS Editor. If you call the tool again, it opens another additional copy of the MS Editor, so be sure to close MS editor before making additional changes in TextPad.

I will also post this in TextPad forum.

[mo]

Fantastic! Worked as advertised...after initial mess up because I did not use all-caps for -EDITOR.

Exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks!

[Bob Hansen]

Great news, I knew we could do it! Enjoy