Hello, I want to make my numpad function as macro keypad. I want to have the combination such as Num Enter + Num 4 = copy (⌘c)
Num Enter + Num 5 = paste (⌘v)
I was wondering if it’s possible ?
You can do this, but not with Keyboard Maestro. Two tools that can probably do this are BTT and KE.
And in case you don't have a Masters in Mac Software Abbreviations :), that's BetterTouchTool and Karabiner-Elements.
-rob.
I’m sure that you are looking for a solution for a simple keypad that you already have, but for the record, or perhaps future reference: this could be done on a keypad that can be programmed using QMK, by using combos (if both keys are to be pressed simultaneously) or layers (if one is to be held as if it’s a modifier key).
Back to your keypad… If you want to tell us why you wanted to set it up in that way, perhaps someone can suggest the most appropriate alternative method to pressing those keys together… That’s if KE and/or BTT cannot solve it! (I used to use KE but it was so long ago now that I forget whether it could help out in a case such as this).
Thank you for the suggestion !
Yes, absolutely. For the context, I used Auto Hotkey before when I was on Windows.
I wanted to set it up that way because Im an Artist, I use Clip Studio Paint all the time, and using external numpad has helped me with shortcuts such as I type above and many more. I just switched to Mac so everything is pretty different and it’s really cool \ :3 /
Im currently trying out KE and I think I can figure it out ! ( hopefully.. lol )
Thanks for posting the illustration.
As a matter of policy, KM uses only the official public APIs that are provided by Apple, so that’s why Karabiner Elements has been mentioned. It looks as though “simultaneous keybindings” is the term to look for when it comes to KE. See for instance this article: Simultaneous keybindings with Karabiner Elements.
I do wonder though whether, since you spend a lot of time working on your art, you might find something like the Keychron K0 Max a worthwhile investment (there may well be alternative models that are worth considering; I just happened to find this one, and it does look good!). It is available from the usual outlets complete with keycaps; note that you could swap around (using QMK) the keycode that results from pressing each switch, and that the corresponding (small) keycaps could be swapped around too, so that the layout would be closer to what you’re used to.
To change the supplied layout and to use combos, you would have to learn how to use QMK (but you would save time not learning how to use Karabiner Elements!). Whilst I love the wealth of options that QMK brings (for me, it’s even more essential than KM!), I am certain that most forum members would be repelled by the prospect of having to get into all that geeky stuff just to tweak a keypad (or anything)—so don’t worry about going down that rabbit hole if you are not excited by the possiblities.
So… yes, maybe start off by trying Karabiner Elements…
I mentioned that there might be alternative ideas. Well… perhaps you could have, for example, a macro that uses the Type a keystroke action to output ⌘-C and which is triggered by a long press on the 4 key or by, say, double tapping. See: trigger:Hot Key [Keyboard Maestro Wiki].
I wondered also whether It might be worth considering the typed string trigger… but that would be more fiddly to use, I’m pretty sure.
By the way, some keypads that are made with only Windows in mind generate weird code when some of the keys (numlock, for instance) are pressed, and that means that those keys will not be read by MacOS. The first step should be to make sure that all the keys on your keypad are recognised by MacOS. You can do that by trying to set a macro to be triggered by the keys, or use the free application Key Codes.
I’ve been thinking about this again, @deadfish…
It’s just occurred to me that you might be the sort of computer user who would get a lot of use out of an Elgato Stream Deck or a similar device. That would require even greater expense, though! That’s just another idea, anyway… I wish you luck with (re?)creating your ideal setup.
Or… the keypad could be used with one of these macros!
I do this in QMK/VIA (if your keyboard supports it) so the keys around the edge of the numpad work as modifiers when held (but work as keypresses when tapped)
Then I use the Numpalettes (on the link above) for the triggers, and so I don’t forget what the buttons do.
it’s always heartening to be reminded that I am not the only QMK adherent here (see my reply above)! My keyboard is one of those split ones that has the keys arranged in a (column-staggered but roughly speaking) grid layout like that of a keypad, so I just switch to a dedicated layer for typing digits. Even so, I can see the appeal of having a dedicated keypad, especially for when a lot of sums are to be done!
You could use a macro group that is active for one action after hot key Num Enter, and then you could put your macros in there and then just have hot keys with #4 as the trigger.
So if you are happy pressing them as a sequence, you can do it in Keyboard Maestro without any problems.
If you want to use Num Enter as some sort of pseudo modifier, then you will need a lower level tool like Karabiner.