Macro MD

Any macro creator that makes it difficult to put together your first command is going to sit unused. Unfortunately, Macro MD is one such program. Macro MD's multipane interface is well-designed, though slightly more complex than it needs to be for easy operation. Pop-down menus sit above a toolbar full of buttons, and both hover over a file tree of user-created and sample macros. Advanced users with time to kill will enjoy testing the full component of commands. Everyone else will wonder why Macro MD fails to include tutorials or even the standard help file. The included sample macros are helpful, but do little to teach users to create their own macros.

Creating macros isn't as intuitive as with many programs in this genre. Simply clicking New Macro opens a dialog with six menus, six tabs, and 30 command buttons. (Yes, we counted.) Most users won't have a clue where to begin. Play with the program, and you'll see that macros are built through stacking commands. Macro MD makes it easy to insert and delete commands. Variables are a snap to add and edit, as is setting hot keys to trigger your completed macro. We couldn't find a method to insert mouse movements, but mouse clicking is a simple command.

We can only recommend testing this program for those advanced users who regularly ignore tutorials and help files. Everyone else will find Macro MD's bedside manner frustrating.