Insert text by TYPING vs PASTING issue

[Willis]

I have an emoji palette that only activates in a specific application (whatsapp).

1. Within it, I have a simple macro where I paste an emoji by the action “Insert text by typing” and assigned it with the hotkey “CMD-J”. It did not trigger the macro when I pressed that hotkey! Why?

2. When I changed the action to “Insert text by pasting” instead, I can trigger it with the same hotkey ”CMD-J”

3. I have another macro in the same palette that involves using the action “Insert text by typing” and it works as well!

So I am just so confused as to what’s going on here???

[Airy]

@Willis

So I am just so confused as to what’s going on here???

The application called "WhatsApp Desktop" is an Electron app, I think. Such apps are create with non-Apple frameworks. They are slow, laggy, and use more resources and battery power. In a sense, they aren't "real" macOS apps. As such, lots of tinkering needs to be done if you want them to behave like a real app. I refuse to install such apps, so I can't really help. But there are other people on this site who will probably not share my disdain, and will offer help.

[Willis]

I don't think it's because whatsApp is an Electron app.

I have tested it on several other applications: Notes, Finder (search field), Keyboard maestro (any text field), Chrome (browser), Things, PDF expert. They all resulted in the same thing I mentioned, not just WhatsApp.

Also, I just tested the same thing (Insert text by TYPING vs PASTING) but with text. It worked fine with text but not emoji.

[Airy]

@Willis

but not emoji.

Oh. I will reconsider. Sorry.

[peternlewis]

@Willis

• Within it, I have a simple macro where I paste an emoji by the action “Insert text by typing” and assigned it with the hotkey “CMD-J”. It did not trigger the macro when I pressed that hotkey! Why?

Actions do not affect triggering. So you are misunderstanding something.

Use the Interactive Help if you think a macro is not being triggered and it will show you what is happening.

Not all characters can be typed. Most likely the character you are trying to type cannot be typed.

[Willis]

@peternlewis

Actions do not affect triggering. So you are misunderstanding something.

Sorry, I meant to say it did not perform the action due to some reason (not "it did trigger the macro")

@peternlewis

Use the Interactive Help if you think a macro is not being triggered and it will show you what is happening.

okok

@peternlewis

Not all characters can be typed. Most likely the character you are trying to type cannot be typed.

That's my theory initially, but then the emoji is actually typeable when I used "Insert text by typing" action together with other actions. (as shown in "3)" of my screenshot).

Plus, if I change to a string trigger, it could be typed out too!

[peternlewis]

@Willis

Plus, if I change to a string trigger, it could be typed out too!

In that case, it is possible that the fact the Command (or J) key are down may be interfeering.

Try adding a Pause Until Modifiers Command is released before the action and see if that helps.

It shouldn't. But it's possible.

[Willis]

@peternlewis

Try adding a Pause Until Modifiers Command is released before the action and see if that helps.

It does! Now the emoji is typed when I release the modifier! Thx!

[Airy]

@Willis

Now the emoji is typed when I release the modifier!

I never would have figured that out.

[Willis]

Now we both learnt something today

[peternlewis]

It shouldn't happen like that, since simulated and real events are separate, but I guess this is some weird edge case.