There are times when you need to do something over and over again on the computer which is very time consuming and tedious. One simple example is the need to transfer a lot of data from an Excel spreadsheet into a database management system (DMBS) and it cannot import the data from the XLS file. Instead of hiring a team of people to do the data input or a programmer to write a custom importer, you can actually rely on a piece of “Macro” software to automatically do it for you.
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Macro software can be used to create a series of actions to help in automating tasks. It can be as simple as clicking a button to record your keyboard and mouse actions but it can also be very advanced where you get to write your own sophisticated macro script for play back. You can find both free and paid macro software, the free macro software is easier to use with less features while the paid versions support more commands and activations.
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Here we have a list of our top 10 free macro software which can make your computer perform repetitive tasks.
10. Macro DollarMacro Dollar is an old and simple automation software that was originally created around 10 years ago for “paid to surf” programs to click on advertisement bars installed on computers. Since it can record both mouse actions and keyboard input for play back, we consider it to be a Macro software. Probably the most unique yet least used feature found in Macro Dollar is the “Shake” option where your mouse cursor shakes when a recording is being played.
The terms used in Macro Dollar are slightly different compared to the rest because this program is created by a Frenchman. For example, the Journal is normally called Macro and the Scenario is actually the Scheduler.
Download Macro Dollar
9. WinMacro
WinMacro is nearly as old as Macro Dollar and still worked perfectly when we briefly tested it using Windows 7. Only 3 steps are required to record; browse the location to save the recording file, click the record button and press the hardcoded hotkey Pause/Break to stop the recording. Whenever you want to play back the recording, simply browse the .log file and click the Playback button. The playback can be cancelled with the hotkey Ctrl+Esc. The Options button allows you to set the number of repetitions and playback speed.
Download WinMacro
8. GhostMouse
GhostMouse is a no-brainer program that is incredibly simple with only 2 buttons (Play & Record) on the main graphical user interface. It is more suitable for quick and short term use but certainly not for automating repetitive task because there is no repeat or loop functionality. One unique feature to be found in GhostMouse is the ability to perform a list of actions such as turning off the computer on playback complete.
Download GhostMouse
7. Do It Again
2 Awesome Automation Tools For Beginners
Do It Again is not much different if compared to the other 3 tools listed above but one advantage it has is the list of macro recordings displayed in the program, making it convenient for users who need to run different tasks without manually loading the scripts to the program.
For advanced users, another advantage found in Do It Again is the recordings that are saved as .DIA extension stored in the program’s folder are in clear text format which means you can actually edit the actions.
Download Do It Again
6. Mini Mouse Macro
Mini Mouse Macro is an open source macro software hosted at SourceForge. Other than the ability to record mouse & keyboard actions, looping/repeating playback, it also comes with a simple editor to add/remove/edit the captured actions.
There is a mouse checkbox and once it is ticked, Mini Mouse Macro will include the mouse movement of the X and Y position in the recordings. Defining a loop count is a bit tricky because you’ll need to click on the “Loop” word where a dialog box will be displayed and you can enter the value for the loop count. Command line is also supported and can be easily created from the Script Builder found in File menubar.
Download Mini Mouse Macro
5. Macro Toolworks Free
Macro Toolsworks comes in 3 editions which are free, standard and professional. It is actually a very powerful macro automation software that supports over a hundred macro commands such as variables, finding an image on screen, sending emails, FTP, manipulating windows, etc. However, only basic macro commands such as sending keystrokes and mouse events are enabled in the free version which makes it a pretty basic macro software with an advanced interface.
Download Macro Toolworks Free
4. Mouse Recorder Pro
Mouse Recorder Pro is created by a talented young man named Shay from Israel. A quick glance at the software’s interface would make you think that this is yet another simple record and playback macro software but it has much more to offer.
Mouse Recorder Pro can be really easy to use, thanks to the 5 big buttons where you can record, play, save and load recordings. Optionally, the built-in macro editor allows you to add or remove events to fine tune the accuracy of the actions. The last update which was released 3 years ago added user plugin support where you can code your own plugins using C# or Visual Basic .Net to manipulate your recording and playing script.
Download Mouse Recorder Pro
You can find our remaining top 3 together with a feature comparison table and summary listed on the second page.
12Next › View All You might also like:
10 Free Online and Offline Screen Recording Software3 Ways to Record Skype Video Calls for Free without Limits12 Software to Turn your Computer into Video Surveillance System5 Free Tools to Remap and Customize Mouse Button ActionsDownload Sony Memory Card File Rescue Software for FreeI suggest to add also MOUSEKEY RECORDER in the list. It’s a free and powerful mouse and keyboard recorder for Windows
ReplyHi, why the program botmek is not listed ???
ReplyTry WinParrot from winparrot.com it is free since 2009
Replyi need a simple software thac could entry 16 digit data from excel to web.
then the situation is, if the the digit more or less than 16 or doesnt match for the web entry, it wil be separated from the excel table..
any suggestion for me?
ReplyWith Excel you can check the data conditions that you are mentioning and if the data is correct, then you place the correct information in another column. Once that column ins filled with correct data, minimouse will take that data cell by cell and use it as web entry. Is something really simple
Replyalt + f11, then f1.
ReplyRepetitive tasks arise during the day randomly, I need a macro recorder that is continuosly recording and with IA to detect when one task can be repeated automatically.
ReplyJurij Fedorov, it is very simple. For example, I will show you how to record the text bellow into the key 1.
Whenever you press CTRL SHIFT 1, will show this text:
NOW YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THAT
1. Execute CMD (command prompt) in administration mode.
2. Create the file 1.txt with the text NOW YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THAT inside:
– type this: copy con 1.txt and press ENTER
– type this: NOW YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THAT and press ENTER
– press key F6
3. Create file 1.bat:
– type this: copy con 1.bat and press ENTER
– type this: type 1.txt | clip
– press key F6
4. Create a shortcut on your desktop to the file 1.bat. Example, if you file 1.bat is on c:, then create a shortcut on your desktop to the file c:1.bat
Finally, click the shortcut with the right button of the mouse, clin on properties, and then create the CTRL SHIFT 1 shorcut
ReplyI need some extremely simple software. I need to write text in the software itself and then when I click a button on my keyboard that text needs to be written. Then I will use 2 buttons for 2 different lines of text. Can’t seem to find this anywhere besides in the $5 Typer MurGee.
ReplyYou can do it with ShortKeeper (freeware)
ReplyI use AlomWare Actions alomware.com/actions.htm for typing text and moving the mouse, mainly because it also does app launching and window management too (setting windows on top, transparent, and such).
ReplyAgreed that Anthony Mathews Macromaker is the best of the lot. I used it for years on XP and Win 7 to automate everything except for washing the dishes and flushing the toilet. But does anyone know how to make it work on Win 10?
ReplyAnthony Matthews’ MacroMaker is still the best and most powerful macro utility IMHO:
members.ij.net/anthonymathews/Macromaker.htm
A new addition to the list is UiPath Studio. The Community Edition is FREE with lots of features for screen scraping, web and desktop automation and macro recording: uipath.com/automate/macro-recorder
ReplyWhat do you think about UiPath? It’s free for individual users: uipath.com/automate/macro-recorder
ReplyVery Good article ! just WinParrot a new free software is missing…
ReplyI downloaded MiniMouse. The interface was reasonable but it wouldn’t let me escape playback by pressing Escape. Talk about a DUH feature. It wants instead for me to press Alt+F6. OMG yeah the macro is effing everything up I’ll just take five minutes to look up that… oh nm too late everything is gone. Idiots. I’m a programming and I once programmed a working app that wasn’t so ridiculous. You could make the shortcuts as ANY key you wanted, and why not? I wish I knew what I did with that.
ReplyHey James. I’m reading your post and I have to say I totally disagree with you. You say ‘escape’ should be stop…what if I want to record Escape in my macro? So according to you I wouldnt be able to, it would stop recording. With Mini Mouse Macro you can define your keys to stop recording. So say your a ‘programming’, and you have created apps…it sounds like you do not know what you are talking about.
ReplyAutomatemyTasks also works great. worth giving a try
automatemytasks.weebly.com/
excellent report, nicely done from 8+ years away
ReplyI think WeeScript Automation should also be a very good look
ReplyWow, I went through four of these before finding Mouse Recorder Premium 1.0.46. While searching for reviews of Mouse Recorder Pro, I accidentally starting reading reviews for Mouse Recorder Premium.
Mouse Recorder Premium (MPR) optimizes mouse movement automatically! When you record a macro, it automatically streamlines your mouse movements. No more editing 16,000 lines of “move” events like Mini Mouse or Pulover’s ! You can wave the mouse around during recording and then click somewhere and the excess mouse movement is automatically reduced to point to point events. (You can probably tell I was stunned – and very pleased.)
Yes, MPR is free and easy to use. It can do sophisticated other things like finding a certain color or waiting for a web page to load, (I don’t use the advanced features) and it actually has step-by-step documentation that got me started right away.
Watch the video at mouserecorder.com and I think you will be as surprised as I was.
I am not associated in any way with anyone at mouserecorder.com (written by a German group) but I really do like the mouse optimization. I know this sounds like an ad – but after loading and trying four other recorders, this was a breath of fresh air…
ReplyI am a software engineer and multiple tasks are always a headache for me but after I tried these utilities I shocked! Multiple task run properly and memory management is also very good… very good utility guys…
ReplyPerform Repetitive Tasks awesome utility …. saving of time and well time management tool ……
ReplyCan anybody advise about the best automation software to open up hundreds of “Load more comments” link on a long reddit post?
For example,
reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/2af81r/what_about_sex_did_you_not_know_about_until_it/
So far , I have tried some of the recommendations here and also 4 other softwares I have found:
None of them works.
Thanks a million.
ReplyI use the FREE Clicky Mouse from Macro Toolworks for my enviroment.
Macros by Mouse Actions:
macrotoolworks.com/index.php/en/macro-automation-software/clickymouse-click-automation
2 Awesome Automation Tools Tutorial
Wow! This is the hands-down BEST article of its type, on this subject, that I’ve read…
…and, trust me, I’ve read a bunch. Thank you, Raymond!
__________________________________
Gregg L. DesElms
Napa, California USA
gregg at greggdeselms dot com
Veritas nihil veretur nisi abscondi.
Veritas nimium altercando amittitur.
Thanks a lot dear Raymond for this post
ReplyOnce upon a time… Well, I don’t really understand Microsoft. Why does their evolution also mean a mandatory devolution too? Win 3.11 had a macro editor, a clipbook and some other programs and functions that were lost in time… I guess the XP was an accident, they probably fired the team that made it almost fully functional. Since then, every new version is fancyer, but somehow dumber.
Replyawesome stuff and really useful
ReplyWow, I love Do It Again. I work with computer mainentance and to install Windows, all the softwares and updates take a very long time. Besides, all my tries with NLite, Almeza, etc. were failed. Hope it’s as good as I imagine…
Replywhat happens if you know little or no script language??
i learning some Qbasic programing in school now, but it won’t help much…(at least that’s what i think….)
that was quite good but you still need to have good hold on coding then only this is going to benefit you
Reply
Ok Raymond, I’ll send it tomorrow, because I’ve installed the software in my work Pc. Thanks, so much!!! o/
ReplyAutoit is much more than just a macro generator, it has become a real programming language now. Supporting network communication,dll imports, gui,string manipulation and much more. I have used it for countless projects that had nothing to do with macros, and if you check the forums you can see the true power of this language.
ReplyThis was good to do work much easier and faster, but still you need to have some good knowledge of coding. If you are not ready to shed money, just go and do coding…
Reply
MR7, Frank did not reply my email. Can you contact me and give me your username for PowerShadow to generate your serial number?
ReplyNever thought about this, will give a shot…
Reply