InstantHotstring

[burque505]

I like the idea of Jack Dunning's InstantHotkey but I much prefer hotstrings, which I can remember, to hotkeys, which I often can't.
Thus this script. Feedback appreciated, of course.
Load it several times if you need several instant hotstrings.
Note: If you don't enter a hotstring, but do enter a replacement, it's just going to exit without warning (at least in this incarnation).
Edit April 2, 2018. Doesn't exit if you don't enter a hotstring, shows a message and returns to the GUI when you click OK. Now uses clipboard instead of SendRaw.
Edit April 4, 2018. Does require AHK v1.1.28.00+ to be able to run (thanks, derz00)!
Edit April 13, 2018. Changed 'OldClip = Clipboard' to OldClip = %Clipboard%. Yikes...
MAJOR BUG: At present, the hotstrings WILL NOT display '#'. Still looking for a fix 4-13-18
Added :R*: to send hotstring raw.

EDIT: New version April 13, 2018. Now uses clipboard in the proper place, by using NewText := Hotstring(":X*R:"Hstring, "TextAdd").
The label TextAdd now (properly) sends the replacement string via the clipboard. Huge speed increase with large replacement texts.

Spoiler

Code: Select all

; InstantHotstring.ahk
; AHK v1.1.28.00+ required!
; by burque505
; Language:       English
; Platform:       Win7 SP1, 64-bit
; Version 0.0.6   April 13, 2018
; Tested with AHK v1.1.28.02
;
; FREELY ADAPTED FROM InstantHotkey.ahk by Jack Dunning
; (http://www.computoredge.com/AutoHotkey/Free_AutoHotkey_Scripts_and_Apps_for_Learning_and_Generating_Ideas.html#instanthotkey)
;
; InstantHotstring.ahk
; Script Function:
;	This little script uses the Hotstrings() function new in AHK 1.1.28+
;   Load multiple times for multiple InstantHotstrings.
;   Mouse over the tray icon for each instance:
;   a tooltip with the hotstring and replacement (or at least a couple of lines of it) will pop up.
;
;
;  Changes: SetupString now takes advantage of the :X: parameter. This allows calling a label

global TextInsert ; I'm not sure if this needs to be global

#NoEnv  ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
SendMode Input  ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%  ; Ensures a consistent starting directory.

#SingleInstance off
Gui, Add, Text,, Enter a Hotstring
Gui, Add, Edit, vHString ys
Gui, Add, Edit, w400 r8 vTextInsert xs, <Enter Hotstring Text>
Gui, Add, Button, gSetupString, Set Hotstring
Gui, Show, , Instant Hotstring
Menu, Tray, Add, Show Hotstring GUI, ShowHotstring
Menu, Tray, Add, Add Text, TrayTextAdd
Return


SetupString:
Gui, Submit
If OldHotstring != {
    Hotstring(Reset)
If HString !=
{
    NewText := Hotstring(":X*R:"Hstring, "TextAdd")
    ; Line above - ":X*R:" sends raw and allows jumping to a label.
    ; See https://autohotkey.com/docs/commands/Hotstring.htm
}
Else {
    msgbox No hotstring!
    gosub, ShowHotstring
}
    
Menu, Tray, Tip, %HString% %TextInsert%
OldHotstring := HString
Return

TrayTextAdd:
 SendInput, !{Escape}
 SendRaw, %NewText%
Return

TextAdd:    ;This avoids the ho-hum speed of 'Send'
OldClip = %Clipboard%
Clipboard =
Clipboard = %TextInsert%
Clipwait, 0.3   ; Adjust upwards if you are using huge replacements
 Send, ^v
Clipboard = %OldClip%
OldClip =
return

ShowHotstring:
Gui,Show
ControlFocus, Edit1
Return

Escape::ExitApp

instant_hotstring.gif (138.64 KiB) Viewed 720 times

Regards,
burque505

[arochon]

copied your code and pasted to an ahk file, having issues running it

error: call to nonexistent function

specifically "hotstring(reset)"

line 035

[derz00]

check the required version noted in the second line/comment. This script uses a recent new feature--you need the latest version.

[burque505]

Thanks, derz00, updated OP so people will know they need v1.1.28.00+ before copying the script.

[Draygoes]

This is a nice tool. Any chance you could get it to output to an ahk file so that the set keys can be saved?
P.S. I am very new to AHK. Loving the simplicity.

[gregster]

This is a nice tool. Any chance you could get it to output to an ahk file so that the set keys can be saved?
P.S. I am very new to AHK. Loving the simplicity.

I always thought, the simplicity of :*:ftw::Free the whales (no ending character needed, like in the script above) is already pretty high.

[Draygoes]

So that is what the script is using? I was thinking that it was exporting as functions because it does not require you to press the space bar to auto replace as ::lol::laugh out loud does.

[Draygoes]

Ok, so I just tested it. Sorry, I had no idea that the above was the difference.
Thank you for your reply.

[gregster]

burque505's script above uses the new Hotstring() function to create a hotstring on the fly, but I think the specific use case for this script is mainly to create temporary hotstrings that I don't want to keep after finishing a specific task. Otherwise, if I wanted to keep a hotstring, I would just use the normal hotstring syntax like shown above and add it directly to a script.

But it would surely be possible to add a hotstring ceated with this script to an ahk-file, for example via FileAppend (this would add it at the end, but that would be fine for a hotstring).

Edited to clarify

[Draygoes]

Thanks for your response. The main thing that I wanted to do I have solved, but it probably would not hurt for others using the software if it appends all commands to the end of its own file, or even a new on that can be included at will. Seems like the next logical step to me.
Anyway, I digress. Great work on the program friend!

[gregster]

Great work on the program friend!

All credits go to burque505 and Jack Dunning for making these "Instant" scripts! I also thank them!
(I was only commenting)

[Draygoes]

Ah, sorry.
Thanks to the creators of the script!

[burque505]

New version, code updated in OP. Fixed bugs relating to failure to send raw and failure to properly use clipboard.
burque505