I created a simple macro to paste a web address in the chat window of the Zoom app, I've used different trigger keys but it does not work and I can't figure out why. I can copy the web address and paste it in the chat, but KM will not do the same thing. What am I doing wrong?
My audio web page Macro (v11.0.3)
My audio web page.kmmacros (1.8 KB)
I don't use Zoom, but I think maybe the issue is that you haven't told your macro where to insert by pasting and the chat text field isn't selected by default. Does Zoom have a hotkey to select the chat? If so, you can use the type a keystroke before your paste action. If it doesn't, you can use the move or click mouse action instead.
I put the cursor in the field before I activate the macro. All I want KM to do is paste.
Whenever a macro doesn't run, the first thing you need to do is check the Engine log to see if it was triggered or not. Once we know that, we will know whether to investigate why it isn't triggering or why it isn't inserting text. If you don't know how to check the Engine log file, then at least insert an action into your macro that generates an audio sound, like a Tink, so you can figure it out that way.
Another thing you could try, since your group has a setting that specifies "Available in zoom.us", is try removing that restriction. And make sure that there is a checkmark in field "Enable Macro Group".
If you check some or all of these things, you will eliminate a lot of possibilities.
These cross-platform apps often make use of custom elements which don’t respond like those of fully native apps.
If Insert text by pasting seems to be out of reach,
then it might be worth trying Insert text by typing.
@Airy, I just figured it out with your point about the 'Triggered when Zoom.us is in front.' I separate the chat window from the main Zoom window, I have to click the main Zoom window, then click in the chat field for the paste to work.
I tried having KM choose that window, but it doesn't work, so I have to always click the main Zoom window before I use the paste macro.
This is strange to me, but if clicking with the mouse is truly necessary for whatever reason known only to Zoom, have you tried adding the move or click mouse action to your macro? First move and click the main window, then move and click the chat, and then paste/type your link?
Yes, but it seems the Zoom chat window is not a real window, it isn't listed in the Windows menu of Zoom, the video window (Zoom Workplace) and the home window (Zoom Meeting) are. It's not a big problem having to click the Workplace window first, then click in the chat field to have KM paste since I don't need to do it very often.
Can Keyboard Maestro not do this for you also with the Move or Click Mouse action?
I tried all the possible steps, but the only way KM will paste the text is with these script steps and if I manually place the cursor in the chat field. At least I don't have to click on the Zoom Meeting window anymore. No, the click step does not go into the field.
My audio web page Macro (v11.0.3)
My audio web page.kmmacros (4.1 KB)
All three of your actions are actions which interface with the macOS GUI. If any of them isn't working, it could be a timing issue. If you insert Pause actions between them, it might work better. Start with a large pause, like 0.5 seconds, and if that fixes it, you can lower the pause.
Tried it, but same thing. I have to have the cursor in the chat field. What's really interesting, I have to have the 'click' step for the macro to work, even though it will only work when I have the cursor already in that field. I'm sure it's because the Zoom chat window is not a real window.
I've seen apps which require two separated clicks in order to get the cursor to start operating inside a window. So maybe that's the problem. Try two separate actions which click in the same location, but separate them by a "Pause 0.5" to be safe.
You haven't said if you have popped out the chat window from the main one or not. But this should work for both, basing the click location on the icons at the bottom of the chat pane/window:
You may have to replace the image with your own screen shot.
Zoom Chat.kmmacros (14.2 KB)
Actually, I did say I separate the chat window... "I separate the chat window from the main Zoom window, I have to click the main Zoom window, then click in the chat field for the paste to work."
Yahoo, adding a second click worked, thank you very much Airy.
Thanks! I'm not always right, but sometimes my decade of experience with KM gets me a win.
Very good lesson to learn.
How do I quote a post when I reply?
Ah yes, in a later post. My bad.
If you haven't already, give my image detection based version a go. It's working for me regardless of whether the chat has been popped or is still part of the main window, and clicking relative to those images means you are less reliant on the window's exact positioning.
