In Macro Scheduler 12 almost every great feature you have come to expect of Macro Scheduler has just got even better. We've left almost no stone unturned to bring you more flexibility, more power and yet more simplification.

Macro Scheduler 12 offers 39 new script functions, multi-tabbed editing, more script commands, native Excel functions, more powerful, more responsive and easier to use custom dialog objects, an improved dialog designer, more string manipulation commands, optional local variable scope, more loop functions, templates, improved window matching, improved image recognition and much much more. See below for the complete change list.

Script Engine Improvements
New Script Commands
User Interface Improvements
Other Improvements
IMPORTANT Release Notes and Backward Compatibility Issues

Script Engine Improvements:

• Efficiency and speed enhancements through internal optimisations
• Support for local variable scope (optional)
• Improved, faster and more responsive Custom Dialog object model with more objects and access to more properties
• Real-time Dialog event handlers. Simpler and faster control of user interaction.
• Improved visual dialog designing
• Added native Excel functions
• Added new string functions
• Added Array functions
• While/EndWhile loop construct
• Process handling functions
• Added 64 bit registry support to registry functions
• Added optional REGEX support to all window and window object functions for greater control of window matching
• Press SPACE command added (simply a wrapper to existing Send>SPACE)
• Image Recognition now works across multiple monitors
• Image Recognition FIP_SCANPIXEL can now be set to ALL to force scanning of ALL pixels
• FindImagePos Image Recognition function can now be set to return top left, centre, top right, bottom right, middle top, middle bottom, middle left or middle right coordinates.
• Improved error trapping for database functions
• Added error message if a parameter missing from a function call
• WScript replacement OCX for replication of VBScript Echo and Sleep methods
• Added functions for creating system tray icons
• Added DISABLE_COMPLEX_EXPRESSIONS directive
• IGNOREERRORS directive now works for complex expressions
• DECIMAL_SEPARATOR and THOUSAND_SEPARATOR system variables added to change the default number separators
• Improved script message box (MessageModal/Message)
• CTRL-A now selects all text in MessageModal/Message
• Quotes in strings passed to complex expressions are now automatically escaped
• Added: WIN_USEHANDLE support to GetWindowList, GetListItem, GetTreeNode
• Added: WF_TYPE support to GetListItem, GetTreeNode
• Support for more apps when sending keystrokes (e.g. Citrix and 16 bit legacy apps)
• Improved error trapping for dangerous cyclic variable assignations

New Script Commands:

• ProcessExists, WaitProcessExists, WaitProcessTerminated, KillProcess
• SkipLabel
• GetDialogProperty, SetDialogProperty, AddDialogHandler
• GetFocusedObject
• ArrayCount, ArraySort
• CSVFileToArray
• AddTrayIcon, DelTrayIcon, AddTrayHandler
• While/EndWhile
• ExtractFileExt, ExtractFileName, ExtractFilePath
• Trim, LTrim, RTrim, UpperCase, LowerCase
• LabelToVar
• IsConnectedToInternet
• Excel Functions: XLAddSheet, XLCreate, XLDelCol, XLDelRow, XLDelSheet, XLGetCell, XLGetSheetDims, XLOpen, XLQuit, XLRun, XLSave, XLSetCell
• GetWindowNames
• GetFocusedObject

User Interface Improvements:

• Added ability to re-order, drag and drop macro groups
• Linked Groups - link groups to existing macro folders for sharing and collaborating on macros
• Ability to drag .scp files onto Macro Scheduler to import them quickly
• "Tabbed Editing": Editor is now multi-tabbed - open more than one file at once
• Ability to right click a filename in code to edit it in a new tab
• Ability to right click on a subroutine name to jump to that subroutine
• Script templates and "New Macro From Template" option
• Option to Duplicate macro to new macro
• Code Folding now remembered across sessions
• Watch List Search Bar
• Variable value debugger breakpoints
• Ability to open and record in WebRecorder and return produced code to Editor
• Completely redesigned and improved Dialog Designer with access to more properties and more objects
• Dialog Designer Menu Builder
• Dialog blocks pasted into editor pre-folded
• Code Folding state restored after debugging
• Macro Search Bar visible by default on new install
• Redo option in Editor menu
• System tray running indicator now shows for macros run via command line (if option enabled)
• Numeric complex expression functions added to code builder
• Trailing space indicator no longer showing on blank lines
• Code blocks no longer auto-closed while writing a comment
• Find & Find/Replace dialog in editor leaves scope set to global in line with most other find/repl dialogs
• Compiler option checkboxes remembered

Other Improvements:

• Reliable AutoLogon for Windows 7/Windows Vista/Windows 2008
• Custom Triggers - create any kind of trigger you like using script code
• Ability to change default macro folder/switch macro profiles

New Dialog Model

In order to accommodate many requests for more dialog properties, and to provide support for more dialog events, as well as make dialogs more responsive we have had no alternative but to completely change the dialog block structure and work with them in a different way.

However, the new system is simpler, requires less code, removes the need for lengthy dialog action loops, is faster and more responsive, and more complete. We've added more info to the dialog chapter in the help file and included some examples with the software.

Existing users: Don't worry - scripts with old dialogs will still work. However, the dialog designer will only save in the new format and we aim to remove support for legacy dialogs by version 14 (so that we can remove a lot of legacy code that we hope by then will no longer be needed).

AutoLogon

AutoLogon under Macro Scheduler 12 supports Windows Vista, Windows 2008 Server and Windows 7. Support for AutoLogon under XP and earlier has been discontinued. The new AutoLogon utilises offical features of the new versions of Windows to ensure reliable operation.

Installation Folders/Registry Settings

Macro Scheduler 12 installs into a separate folder and registry hive to previous versions and also, by default, uses a separate location for macro storage. So it will not interfere with existing versions. However, as with any beta, it is worth making backups of your existing macros, especially if you choose to use the new option to change the default macro storage folder and point your v12 installation at your v11 macros.