* Autohotkey (AHK) "Productivity" shortcuts

[jimlad68]

I was hoping that FHv7 would bring some "productivity" navigation improvements, things like retaining popup window sizes+positions for a new session, more shortcuts and more Alt+letter keyboard jumps, but the only thing I have noticed so far is that window sizes+positions are retained for:
- the new "Select Source..." popup via the Property Box Facts Tab (but not the "Select Source Record" via the All tab or Individual records/Named List)
- the new popup Source/Citation window.
That shows it is possible, so hope for the future.

So, I revisited Autohotkey (AHK) and with help from Window Spy (part of AHK), MacroCreator and forums, I took the AHK script from
AutoHotKey Scripts
and added a few more shortcuts.

To run AHK with an existing script was simpler than I thought, and once setup, one wonders why one hasn't been using it for years. And even I could manage to create some of the basic commands.

For editing I used Visual Studio Code with Extension AutoHotkey Plus Plus for structure colours etc. New learning curve for me, any one have a better AHK editor?

The difficulties I had:
- FH does not provide Alt+letter shortcuts from many of its popup windows.
- FH, Many "buttons" cannot be "tabbed" to.
- Many tab sequences are limited to only part of the window.
(But for the above, some buttons could be actioned with the AHK ControlFocus command).
- I could not get the "Esc" key to action.
- The popup windows without the "maximise" facility (e.g. Fact Types and Plugins): I could not get the ControlFocus command to work, or to action Alt+Enter to move or size the window.

Despite this I have created some favourites for myself, link below if anyone wants a peruse.
- Before running, you should read the AHK script (just open and read as a txt file, new bits from about line 59), to get the shortcut keys and what they do and why.
Download attachment [EDIT I managed to upload my file by removing the = from the file name!]

FHv7 AutoHotkey jimlad68 extras 01.ahk

(9.46 KiB) Downloaded 104 times

##### AS EVER YOU WOULD RUN THESE AT YOUR OWN RISK, TEST OUT ON A COPIED OR THE FH SAMPLE PROJECT #####
- Some of these Key combinations might do other things when outside FH.

So, these in particular:

[] Win+Alt+A - From "Property Box All tab, Records window, Named Lists, Query columns tree and probably any other tree with + - option"
This expands the "tree contents" by about 20 items, repeat until you have as much as you want. I am a recent convert to using these windows rather than the Property Box Facts Tab and this expansion makes an overview of an individual, and working with them so much easier.

[] Win+2 - If you have a regular Custom Report, in this case the first starting with 2, select individual > Win+2 > Report

[] Win+9 - To output your report to RTF file with a filename like yyyymmdd-hhmmss (so no need for overwrite messages) and open it in default App.

[] And 3 different options for adding a Source/Citation that takes you to a maximized "Select Source" window with cursor in the Filter box.

[] I have also found that for stubborn FH popup windows (e.g. Plugin, Fact Types) that the standard "Windows 10 Win key + Arrow keys" (especially Left and Right) are very quick.

For future reference I would be grateful if anyone can advise on better methods, new shortcuts, how to use ControlFocus for the "popup Windows without the maximise facility", how to jump to a specific item in a RightClick Menu. I am sure there must be a way to limit the "ahk_class #32770" popout windows so that keys are limited to the FH Program, similar to the "#IfWinActive, - Family Historian [GP][rojectdom]+ -"

[ColeValleyGirl]

Jim do you intend to submit this to the Knowledge Base? It would be a good addition

[jimlad68]

Helen, I am no programmer, but if it looks acceptable I am more than happy for it to be added.

If it were, unless vetted by "an expert" in AHK, I think it would be better as an addition with the usual caveats (as in my post).

All the instructions are contained in the script. I would also see things like this as works in progress and was hoping others might have their own routines to share.

Now I have AHK setup, I find I am using it for other things.

[edit - should I add it to https://fhug.org.uk/kb/add-download/ or perhaps
https://fhug.org.uk/kb/add-a-service-or-utility/]

P.S. I am still working on a "generic" for Hotkey to hide boxes in charts/diagrams (19120), very dear to my heart, but I don't suppose any great rush!

[ColeValleyGirl]

Jim, https://fhug.org.uk/kb/add-download/ is the way to go. Thanks.

[ColeValleyGirl]

P.S. Notepad++ might be an editor to look add -- less of a sledgehammer than VisualStudioPlus: https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=50

PSpad might be another option: https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=6963 and has the advantage that you can also configure it to handle fh functions: Use PSPad to Format Functions

[jimlad68]

Helen thanks for those links:
notepad++ is my main text editor, mainly because it has the best I can find with a macro recorder/editor albeit very cumbersome and some useful plugins. MSWord is still good for macros if you are happy to paste in/out your text, NEVER saving as text as MSWord tends to "add things"! However I cannot find an addin for AHK structure, hence my use of Visual Studio.

I looked at your link re npp+ahk previously there have been problems with it, might be OK now. I think there is a way in NPP to create your own, but did not get around to it, also the Visual Studio Code with Extension AutoHotkey Plus Plus has popup help etc for commands.

I'll have another look at PSPad.

[jimlad68]

Having played with AHK with FHv7 for some time I have a few "bespoke" additions which some might find of use as examples. Change the fh.txt to fh.ICO which is optional.

jimld68 FHv7-AutoHotkey extras .ahk

(13.97 KiB) Downloaded 55 times

fh.txt

(8.59 KiB) Downloaded 53 times

This is another AHK with more examples I use for Windows, mostly for keyboard remapping.

AutoHotkey-Jims keyboard remaps and more.ahk

(3.34 KiB) Downloaded 46 times

[BillH]

Jim,

I would really like to be able to close the new citation window using the escape key. If I read correctly you had not been able to make the escape key work with AHK when you looked back in March of 2021. Do you know if this can be done at this point?

I know Alt-F4 will work, but at least on my keyboard this is a bit of a hassle and take contorting my left hand or using two hands. The escape key would be a lot easier.

Thanks,
Bill

[tatewise]

The keycode for Escape is both Escape and Esc
For example, the following script will activate the FH main window or open FH if not running already.

Code: Select all

Esc::
IfWinExist, - Family Historian Project - 
	WinActivate
else
	Run fh
return

However, if the application already has a shortcut function for the Escape key that may override AutoHotkey scripts.
FH does define Escape as "Cancel current dialog box (usually) or current mode (e.g. in diagram)."
So that may inhibit the AutoHotkey script above when certain dialog boxes are open, I guess.

[jimlad68]

Bill,
It is easy to make Escape mimic Alt+F4, but that would do it everywhere and close all sorts of things you don't want closing, a simple

Code: Select all

Esc:: Send !{F4}

Hence Mike's offering, but it did not work for me, it might be my setup.
The problem is to limit it to the window in question, and FH popout windows can be difficult, sometimes impossible, to tie down. In this case I did it with the built in AHK "Window Spy", you can also try "Macro Creator", a separate program.

This works for me, I think I have the correct window, (it shows as "Select Source...") if not let me know and I will try another.
This should be on its own and not "within" any other "#IfWinActive, window name etc etc" start and finish.

Code: Select all

; This to use escape key to mimic Alt F4 to leave "Select Source..." window.
; Note FH popouts are difficult to control
#IfWinActive, ahk_class #32770
Esc:: Send !{F4}
#IfWinActive  ;  end of ahk_class #32770 "Select Source..." window

Let me know how you get on, it might be that different computers need different settings. E,g, I don't know if "ahk_class/Pids" etc are the same across different PCs.

I will keep this in my own AHK FHv7 script, I also find it very annoying. Another example of FH non user friendliness.

P.S. I note there are some other windows that have the same ahk_class #32770, and it seems to work with them too, e.g. "Work with Places". However, "Fact Types" also using ahk_class #32770 responds to Escape "out of the box", as I say FH lacking in CLAF (common look and feel).

[ColeValleyGirl]

Another example of FH non user friendliness.

Is it really 'unfriendly' to provide a shortcut code that's so widely-used for the same purpose elsewhere it's almost a standard?

[tatewise]

I am fascinated by the idea of translating Escape to Alt+F4 in order to close the Citation floating window.
Refer to the FH Help page Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts:
As I said earlier, Escape should "Cancel current dialog box (usually) ..." i.e. close Citation floating window.
Whereas, the Alt+F4 combo should "Close application" i.e. close Family Historian program.

So why is Alt+F4 closing the Citation floating window and Escape is not?
That seems like a bug to me that should be reported to CP and fixed instead of messing with AutoHotkey!

Which shortcut code are you referring to Helen? I guess Alt+F4.

It does seem that Alt+F4 popularly closes the currently active window and if that is the application window then it closes the application. A few experiments suggest that is what FH is doing, and the Help page is misleading.
The Escape key also closes some currently active windows but not as many as Alt+F4 does.
It would be useful to update the Help page and also make Escape synonymous with Alt+F4.

[jimlad68]

Don't get me wrong Helen, I think FH is wonderful, but there are countless examples of poor CLAF, and of course FH is not alone in this.
- OK, Alt+F4 is universal, but I also think that Escape is a common standard to exit a popout. But for FH popout windows, Escape works on some and not others.
- FH does not provide Alt+letter shortcuts for many of its popout windows.
- Many "buttons" cannot be "tabbed" to.
- Many tab sequences are limited to only part of the window.
- Some popup windows do not have "maximise" etc (e.g. Fact Types and Plugins), only drag.
- No ability to create shortcuts, or add extra shortcuts to Custom Toolbars etc.
- Publishing Tools Finder; great idea, but no search!

I also fully accept resource limitations and commercial priorities.

[ColeValleyGirl]

Which shortcut code are you referring to Helen? I guess Alt+F4.

Isn't that what's under discussion, Mike?

Re the Escape key, I've never used it -- just had to search to find it on my keyboard, and discovered that it's in about the most inaccessible position of all (top left, so left little finger, which is a bit of a stretch from the home position when you have little hands), so am unlikely to start using it now when ALT-F4 or CTL-F4 (depending on the desired result) are easy enough for me at least. (I wonder if being ambidextrous and a trained touch-typist has anything to do with it? Best training course my employers ever sent me on!).

It may also be relevant that ESC isn't as widely used as ALT-F4 or CTL-F4 -- it doesn't work in my browser, windows explorer, Office 365... in a quick survey of the programmes I use most regularly, it doesn't do anything at all. Possibly because it isn't a good idea in UX terms to close anything with a single keystroke, because it increases the risk of accidental closure -- operations requiring two keys are safer. I don't disagree that FH should be consistent, but am not sure that should include increasing the use of ESC.

[ColeValleyGirl]

Jim, I agree there's a lot that could be improved on the UX, but given that it's the results of years of accumulated changes, CP are on a hiding to nothing if they change remove anything that's already there... And, as you say, priorities...!

[BillH]

This works for me, I think I have the correct window, (it shows as "Select Source...") if not let me know and I will try another.
This should be on its own and not "within" any other "#IfWinActive, window name etc etc" start and finish.

Code: Select all

; This to use escape key to mimic Alt F4 to leave "Select Source..." window.
; Note FH popouts are difficult to control
#IfWinActive, ahk_class #32770
Esc:: Send !{F4}
#IfWinActive  ;  end of ahk_class #32770 "Select Source..." window

Actually I was wanting to use it on the citation window:

image1.jpg (72.14 KiB) Viewed 2612 times

Let me know how you get on, it might be that different computers need different settings. E,g, I don't know if "ahk_class/Pids" etc are the same across different PCs.

I'm not sure I know how to do this. Do I just install AHK and then create a file with the contents you posted? What do I name the file and where does it go?

Thanks,
Bill

[BillH]

Re the Escape key, I've never used it -- just had to search to find it on my keyboard, and discovered that it's in about the most inaccessible position of all (top left, so left little finger, which is a bit of a stretch from the home position when you have little hands), so am unlikely to start using it now when ALT-F4 or CTL-F4 (depending on the desired result) are easy enough for me at least. (I wonder if being ambidextrous and a trained touch-typist has anything to do with it? Best training course my employers ever sent me on!).

Isn't that funny. Everyone has a different background and experience. I also am a touch typist and have been for over 40 years. I use the ESC key in quite a few different programs. i just lift my left hand from the start position and hit the key with the middle finger or index finger of my left hand... quick and easy. Whereas Alt-F4 requires lifting both hands from the start position for me. Maybe because of my larger hands.

Bill

[BillH]

I'm not sure I know how to do this. Do I just install AHK and then create a file with the contents you posted? What do I name the file and where does it go?

Thanks,
Bill

When I posted this, the AHK site was down. I have since been able to get on and download and install the program and create a script on my desktop using your code above. I ran the script and now ESC works great on the Select source... window. It also works on the citation window with no changes to your code.

Now more questions. Do I have to run the script every time I restart my computer? Is there a way to have it run automatically every time I restart?

Thanks!
Bill

[ColeValleyGirl]

Isn't that funny. Everyone has a different background and experience. I also am a touch typist and have been for over 40 years. I use the ESC key in quite a few different programs. i just lift my left hand from the start position and hit the key with the middle finger or index finger of my left hand... quick and easy. Whereas Alt-F4 requires lifting both hands from the start position for me. Maybe because of my larger hands.

Bill

ALT-F4 and CTL-F4 for me is a single hand... as you say, we're all different and have learned different habits.

It may also be the case that you don't have cats? A cat is less likely to hit two specific keys at the same time than they are to his a single key... I can set the PC up to hibernate if the jump on the off-button, but I can't disable the ESC key without installing something to do it (like AutoHotKey ) so I'd prefer not to see its use expanded.

[jimlad68]

Now more questions. Do I have to run the script every time I restart my computer? Is there a way to have it run automatically every time I restart?

My setup.
I keep my scripts in a folder within another folder for program settings bits and pieces. This is to make it easy to backup and find rather than with Program data on the labyrinthine C:\ e.g.
E:\z2\88-ProgSet\AHK

[1] for my FHv7 script in jimld68 FHv7-AutoHotkey extras .ahk, I create a shortcut in C:\0-Jim Destop Links\C along with various shortcuts.
- this I add as a toolbar from the taskbar. I store my toolbars on C: as I have found that if kept on a different drive to the OS in some situations the toolbar gets unattached and needs reattaching.
- The added advantage of a shortcut is it is easy to give it a meaningful Icon.
- This I just click only when I need it, i.e. whenever I start FHv7.
- It would not be too difficult to setup a cmd batch job to start the 2 together.
- If you are running more than 1 AHK script, it is also helpful to include an Icon in the script (see notes in FHv7 script), that is why I included file fh.ico (renamed from fh.txt). You can then differentiate between the running icons in the taskbar, nice if you are testing and need to rightclick/edit/restart.

[2] for my AutoHotkey-Jims keyboard remaps and more.ahk I want to start this a startup. However there is a problem in that keyboard mappings do not work in certain progs unless it is run with admin rights, and in order to do that the only way I could find to make it work without the UAC prompt was as a scheduled task (see notes in the script re "%A_AhkPath%", I don't understand it, but it works!).
Even with this setup it does not always work, so as with the FHv7 script I create a similar shortcut that I can run from the taskbar, but it then gives the UAC prompt.

[BillH]

Jim,

I ended up putting the script in a folder and creating a shortcut to it in my startup folder, C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.

This way it will always be active and I won't have to remember to start it every time I start FH.

Thanks for all the help. Works great.

Bill

[BillH]

It may also be the case that you don't have cats? A cat is less likely to hit two specific keys at the same time than they are to his a single key... I can set the PC up to hibernate if the jump on the off-button, but I can't disable the ESC key without installing something to do it (like AutoHotKey ) so I'd prefer not to see its use expanded.

No cats here.

Bill

[Gowermick]

No one seems to have mentioned compiling an ahk script file.
I compiled my fhmick.ahk file, which became fhmick.exe. I then dropped this into the startup folder, so it starts every time I start my PC.
Works for me

PS Have a look at Geany for your text editor. Whilst it doesn’t have a configuration file for your Ahk script, it has for dozens of other languages and scripts, (e,g LUA, Java, C, C++, HTML etc etc) which help programmers by colour coding keywords, pairing braces etc. i.e everything a programmer needs to make coding easier.
As it also has a facility for creating your own configuration files, the experts among you may like to create your own for AHK scripts.

[ColeValleyGirl]

If we're recommending editors (free), Visual Studio Code. Supports Lua, AHK, pretty well any programming language you can think of.

[Gowermick]

If we're recommending editors (free), Visual Studio Code. Supports Lua, AHK, pretty well any programming language you can think of.

Ah - but that's made by Microsoft, which I avoid like the plague