Question 1

ActionPad

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

The ActionPad provides an input context within which you can enter and trigger your Words and also act on any text you enter that is not a Word (see ActionText).

See video:

Question 2

Activating Licenses

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

Activate/Deactivate Licenses

Save the License file attached to your Trial or Purchase email confirmation. Check your Junk/Spam folder if the email is not in your Inbox.

Install ActiveWords then click the “Activate License” button on the startup dialog.

Navigate to the saved License file, open it, then click the "Activate" button to enable your ActiveWords installation.

Licenses purchased from the "Buy" or "Renew" button on the "ActiveWords License" dialog automatically activate all installations for one year. For example, if you activated four installations with the same Trial License then purchased an ActiveWords Personal Annual License from the "Buy" button on the "ActiveWords License" dialog, all four installations will be automatically updated with the new annual license.The license file attached to your email confirmation is used to activate new installations by opening the file and then clicking the "Activate" button on the "ActiveWords License" dialog.

Licenses purchased directly from the "Buy" link on the ActiveWords Web site are activated by opening the license file and then clicking the "Activate" button on the "ActiveWords License" dialog.

Watch this video to activate a new ActiveWords installation:

Watch this video to deactivate an existing ActiveWords installation:

The license dialog changes when moving from a Trial License to a purchased Annual License.

Renewing Annual Licenses

All installations previously activated with a given purchased Annual License are automatically extended for an additional year when a purchase is completed by clicking the "Renew" button on the License dialog of any installation previously activated with that Annual License. Annual Licenses purchased directly from activewords.com will need to be manually activated.

Save your Trial or Annual License file to activate additional installations during the license period.

You can deactivate a license to move it to another Windows User on any PC.

Activate/Deactivate Licenses in the Enterprise

In addition to manually activating individual licenses as detailed above, Enterprise IT administrators can send links to users or execute links via network scripts to activate and deactivate existing ActiveWords installations for individual users. Open the license file using a text editor and use the license key and the product ID.

Link Syntax: activewords:license?action=activate&silent=[yes or no]&key=[license key]&item=[product ID]

The [license key] and [product ID] can be found by opening the license file (*.awlic) with a text editor.

Here is an example:

activewords:license?action=activate&silent=yes&key=caeeb53ca8a34bd3411d4526e89cd2f8&item=821

This link can also call a license file (for example at a network location) using this syntax:

activewords:license?action=activate&silent=yes&file=[path to license file]

Note that these links may also be used to deactivate a license for a given Windows User by replacing "action=activate" with "action=deactivate."

Available Activations at Zero

Contact support if additional activations are needed under an existing license. In some cases the best solution is to request all activations to be remotely deactivated so the full complement of activations under the license become available for re-activation.

Question 3

ActiveWords 4 Features and Benefits

Michael Tissington · Accepted Answer

Productivity for Professionals

ActiveWords software has been re-created from the ground up using the latest Windows tools and techniques, providing more reliable performance and a more powerful yet easy to use and contemporary interface.

ActiveWords is WORDS and ACTIONS.

Type or ink your Words at any time in any context and get what you want instantly. ActiveWords provides universal text expansion (beleive=believe) and much more. Enter “cnn” and go directly to www.cnn.com. Open files, folders, and programs by triggering a Word. Substitute pictures and other content, and more... Your Words are automatically removed from your context when they are triggered. You can even enter and trigger Words when there is no active cursor context.

ActiveWords is Unicode compliant, meaning ActiveWords supports your language. For example, you can substitute content in Serbian Cyrillic and over 100 other languages supported by Microsoft Windows.
You can easily locate, add, and edit your Words and Actions in a clean, contemporary user interface. Search is super powerful, allowing you to restrict search text by field and by Action type, making it very easy to quickly locate exactly what you are looking for.
You can drag’n drop almost any content or Windows objects to the floating Icon, instantly creating Words and Actions. Drag’n drop sections of documents and Web pages, URLs, files, folders, programs, you name it. See video:
Words that trigger when followed by a single delimiter can now include delimiters (do'nt=don't).
Floating Icon: Provides the user interface. Left-click to view and edit your Words and Actions. Right-click to add new records, set Options, and more. You can resize and position the Icon anywhere on the screen.
Text Monitor: Mirrors your keyboard entry and displays the Description of triggered Actions, providing assurance your intent is being carried out.
The Text Monitor can be positioned independent of the Floating Icon, either or both can be hidden.
Tags let you categorize Actions for easy organization and reference.
Password entry will not be visible in the Text Monitor for all programs and web sites that identify these fields according to conventional programming standards. You can rely on the Text Monitor to show you what is being entered and acted upon without worrying when entering passwords. (Some apps and web pages may not be compatible with this feature. Click here for more information.)
ActiveWords uses powerful date and time stamp functionality. You can embed time and date in numerous formats within both Substitute Text and Substitute Content Actions. See the documentation here.
Enterprise deployments have more robust tools for managing and editing Shared ActiveWords. You can directly open a Shared ActiveWords file for editing. When you exit, you can over write the file to its original location so it automatically becomes active for all users. Enterprise licensing is more advanced and easier to implement and renew.

Easy, clean, powerful.

Instant productivity.

Features:

Question 4

Date and Time Stamps

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

Create date and/or time stamps as Substitute Text Actions or embed the date/time syntax within larger Substitute Text or Substitute Content Actions. Different Actions can be created to substitute the date and/or time in different formats and with different content. Note that the date/time commands will not work within Scripting Actions, only in Substitutions. See video:

Usage

Here are example formats using the date and time formatting syntax detailed below.

${datetime %B %d, %Y} Delivers: August 10, 2016

${datetime %d %B, %Y} Delivers: 10 August, 2016

${datetime %y-%m-%d} Delivers: 16-08-10

${datetime %d-%m-%Y} Delivers: 10-08-2016

${datetime %I:%M %p} Delivers: 02:31 PM

${datetime %H:%M:%S} Delivers: 14:31:19

Date Time - Action: ${datetime %B %d, %Y %I:%M %p} Delivers format: August 10, 2016 02:31 PM

Date Time Format Syntax

The following syntax is used in the Action field to substitute the current date and/or time in various formats. NOTE: The formats that include "#" are specific to Microsoft Windows.

%a - Abbreviated weekday name.

%A - Full weekday name.

%b - Abbreviated month name.

%B - Full month name.

%c -Date and time representation appropriate for locale. Use %#c for long date and time representation, appropriate to current locale.

%d - Day of month as decimal number (01 – 31). Use %#d to remove leading zeros (if any).

%H - Hour in 24-hour format (00 – 23). Use %#H to remove leading zeros (if any).

%I - Hour in 12-hour format (01 – 12). Use %#I to remove leading zeros (if any).

%j - Day of year as decimal number (001 – 366). Use %#j to remove leading zeros (if any).

%m - Month as decimal number (01 – 12). Use %#m to remove leading zeros (if any).

%M - Minute as decimal number (00 – 59). Use %#M to remove leading zeros (if any).

%p - Current locale's A.M./P.M. indicator for 12-hour clock.

%S - Second as decimal number (00 – 59). Use %#S to remove leading zeros (if any).

%U - Week of year as decimal number, with Sunday as first day of week (00 – 53). Use %#U to remove leading zeros (if any).

%w - Weekday as decimal number (0 – 6; Sunday is 0). Use %#w to remove leading zeros (if any).

%W - Week of year as decimal number, with Monday as first day of week (00 – 53). Use %#W to remove leading zeros (if any).

%x - Date representation for current locale. Use %#x for long date representation, appropriate to current locale.

%X - Time representation for current locale.

%y - Year without century, as decimal number (00 – 99). Use %#y to remove leading zeros (if any).

%Y - Year with century, as decimal number. Use %#Y to remove leading zeros (if any).

%z, %Z - Time-zone name or abbreviation; no characters if time zone is unknown.

%% - Percent sign.

Question 5

Scripts and Syntax

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

NOTE: Scripting is for advanced users and enterprise administrators. Scripting can be used to automate multi-step processes, such as directly delivering the result of an Outlook Inbox search (enter search text in input dialog, open Outlook, go to Inbox, place focus in Search field, input search text). Basic product support for scripting includes the documentation offered here. Click here to purchase support for advanced scripting assistance and to resolve issues with scripts. Several script examples can be found here. Scripting is not a replacement for advanced scripting tools such as Visual Basic, AutoIT, or AutoHotKey. Words can be used to trigger script files created with other scripting tools for more advanced automation. Download a PDF version of this FAQ.

Script commands to simulate non alpha-numeric keys Script commands to trigger behavior Script commands to manage windows Script examples

Syntax Notes:

Create scripts using the “Script” Type from the New ActiveWord tool.
Commands are defined within braces {}, as in {control}.
To repeat a command key include a space and the number of repeats, as in {backspace 5}.
Use parentheses to hold down and release keys. For example, {control}({shift}{f1}) simulates pressing and holding the Control key, then pressing the Shift key, then pressing the F1 key, then releasing the Control key. Likewise, {alt}({numpad2}{numpad6}{numpad5}) simulates pressing and holding the Alt key, then pressing 2, 6, and 5 on then numeric keypad, then releasing the Alt key.
To send a brace, enclose the brace in a pair of braces. So, to send an opening or closing brace, use {{} or {}}.
Commands are not case sensitive.
Comments are included in scripts by starting a line with a semi-colon.
Regular characters are sent as Unicode so in most cases shift+character will NOT give you the upper case of the character. Shift is only useful in combination with other modifier keys.

Script commands to simulate non alpha-numeric keys:

Modifier Keys: CONTROL or CTRL SHIFT ALT WINDOWS or WIN Modifier Key Syntax:

{[modifier down]}[keys modified]{[modifier up]} – e.g. – {control down}{k}{control up}

Use this syntax where the modify key needs to be held down at the same time as the keys being modified. The keys being modified may be in braces {} or not depending on the program where the script is used. So, {control down}{k}{control up} may work and/or {control down}k{control up} may work.

{[modifier]} – e.g. – {alt}jscf

Use this syntax where the modifier key needs to be pressed and released before entering the keys being modified, “{alt}jscf” simulates pressing and releasing the Alt key, then pressing j,s,c, and f one key at a time. This syntax applies to ribbon menus in Office programs, for example. Other non alpha-numeric keys: LEFTWIN or WINDOWS RIGHTWIN ENTER TAB ESC or ESCAPE HOME END LEFT RIGHT UP DOWN PGUP PGDWN NUMLOCK SCROLLLOCK SPACE (or just use a space) PRTSC BREAK BACKSPACE or BKSP or BS CLEAR CAPSLOCK INSERT or INS DELETE or DEL HELP F1 through F16 MULTIPLY (* key from main keyboard) ADD (+ key from main keyboard) SUBTRACT (- key from main keyboard) DIVIDE (/ key from main keyboard) * (key from numeric keypad) + (key from numeric keypad) – (key from numeric keypad) / (key from numeric keypad) NUMPAD# where # is the number on the numeric keypad. Back to Top

Script commands to trigger behavior.

INPUT – ${INPUT "[entry field text]","[dialog title text]"} – User text entry within a script sequence. Notes on ${input}: ${input} can be used in any Action Type. For example, a URL Action: http://www.bing.com/search?q=${input "Search the Internet:","Bing Intenet Search"} You can embed ${input} commands inside other commands. For example, {word ${input "Enter Word to trigger:","Enter Word to Trigger"}} Requires use of ASCII quotation marks (no curly quotes). No spaces on either side of the comma separating [entry filed text] and [dialog title text]. So, "[entry field text]","[dialog title text]" will work but "[entry field text]" , "[dialog title text]” will not work. You can trigger text substitution Actions within input fields but not other Action Type. You can trigger text substitution Actions that contain input commands within input fields. SHOWMESSAGE – ${showmessage "title", "message"} – Use this to pop up a message for the user during a script operation. BLOCKINPUT {blockinput [on/off]} - This command allows scripts to block user keyboard and mouse input during script operation. If {blockinput on} is included without {blockinput off} keyboard and mouse input will stop being blocked upon completion of script execution. CONTEXTMENU – {contextmenu} Windows mouse right click menu. RUN – Run a program with or without parameters. {run "[program]","[parameters]"}. Example: {run "outlook.exe"," /c ipm.note"} CONTROL 2 – {control 2} -ActiveWord Command – Toggles the Text Monitor on and off. EDITLASTACTION – {editlasstaction} – ActiveWord Command – Will edit the last triggered Action. This is useful to quickly edit or delete an Action or any associated Words without having to open the list view and filter to locate the Action. TRIGGERLASTWORD {triggerlastword} – ActiveWord Command – Will trigger the Action associated with the last Word triggered. This is useful to repeat an Action. It can be used one time. WAIT – {wait #####} – Default is a half second delay, 500 millisecond, i.e. {wait 1000} will delay script processing for one second. WINSAVE and WINRESTORE {winsave} and {winrestore} - These commands allow you to store a window context within a script, then return to that context later in the script. WORD – {word [word]} – Triggers the Action associated with [word], e.g., {word cnn} triggers the Action associated with the Word “cnn.” Note: If you have the same word associated with more than one action, one triggering with a single delimiter and to the other with a double space, the script will trigger the Action associated with the Word that triggers with a single delimiter. SETKEYDELAY – {SetKeyDelay n} – Set the delay used between key strokes. This timing will remain for the duration of the script unless changed by another SETKEYDELAY command. This command can be useful to slow down scripted keyboard entry. CLIPCOPY – {clipcopy} – Empties clipboard, sends Control-c, and waits for copied contents to be present in the clipboard. Uses both CLIPEMPTY and CLIPWAIT. CLIPEMPTY – {clipempty} – empty clipboard. Use before {control}{c} then use {ClipWait}. CLIPWAIT – {clipwait nnn} wait for clipboard to contain data. CLIPPASTE – {clippaste} – Pastes clipboard contents then waits for paste to be complete. This is important in scripts that copy to the clipboard, paste the clipboard, then include additional commands. ACTIONTEXT {actiontext} – Will operate on selected text when the ActiveWords Key is pressed and will act on text entered in the ActionPad. For example, the Open URL Action "http://www.google.com/search?q={actiontext}" will search Google for any selected text and for any text entered in the ActionPad that is not a Word. Note: It is best not to associate Words with Actions including {actiontext}. A prompt will appear allowing selection of a specific Action if more than one Action includes the {actiontext} command. These commands work when a Browser window is the active context: BROWSERBACK BROWSERFORWARD BROWSERREFRESH BROWSERSTOP BROWSERSEARCH ??? BROWSERFAVORITES BROWSERHOME These commands control media regardless of active context: VOLUMEMUTE VOLUMEDOWN VOLUMEUP MEDIANEXTTRACK MEDIAPREVTRACK MEDIASTOP MEDIAPLAYPAUSE Back to Top

Script commands to manage windows (WIN* Commands)

The Windows operating system tracks each open window, and when a window opens and closes. The following commands help manage windows being operated on by a script. NOTE: Script commands waiting for Universal App windows (for example, EDGE) must rely on the general WAIT command rather than WIN* commands as Universal Apps may not provide a reliable means to assure a window is ready for input. WINWAIT – {WinWait title, class, timeout, process} – Waits for a specific window to exist, may not be in the foreground. This commands assures a previously opened window exists before processing subsequent commands. WINWAITIDLE – {WinWaitIdle title, class, timeout, process} – Waits for a specified window to be ready for user input (keyboard, mouse or touch) regardless of whether the specified windows has focus. Reliability is dependent on the application. Use WINWAITIDLE, for example, this could be used to wait for a user to activate the specified window before executing subsequent commands. WINACTIVATE – {WinActivate title, class, timeout, process} – Waits for a specific window to exist and brings it to the foreground (makes it the active context). Makes the specified window the focus for keyboard input. WINCLOSE – {WinClose title, class, timeout, process} – Closes the specified window regardless of whether that window is in focus. WINWAITCLOSE – {WinWaitClose title, class, timeout, process} – Example: Script closes a window that requires a decision (save or not). WINWAITCLOSE would be used to pause the script until the user acts or the timeout occurs cancelling the script. SETWINTIMEOUT – {SetWinTimeout 1000} – Sets the Timeout to apply to all subsequent WIN* commands having a Timeout modifier. If a timeout occurs the script will abort. WIN* Commands, Information WIN* Command Optional Specifiers

Title = full text or substring of window title (quotes ok). It is best to use a string of title text that is unlikely to exist in any other open window. If it is possible multiple windows with the same title string are open in different programs, use the “process” variable to define the process required for the specified window.
Class = window class (quotes ok).
Timeout = The remainder of the script will be aborted if the timeout completes. The default timeout is 500 milliseconds. Value is in milliseconds, so 10000 is ten seconds. It is useful to allow for a long timeout period when the script might be opening an executable for the first time. The next command in the sequence will occur immediately after the Win* command is true, so the timeout should be sufficient for a specified window to open, for example, when a script opens a program or file.
Process = Name of the Windows Process related to the windows being operated on, for example, winword.exe.

Advanced users can use a tool such as Spyxx to identify the above window parameters. Any optional specifying including a space needs to be within quotes, for example, a document title such as {winwait “Document – Wordpad”}. This also applies to regex syntax such as: {winwait “.*wordpad”} for any window with wordpad at the end of its title. The WIN* commands use Unicode Regex expressions. For example, if the window title is “Untitled – Notepad” then “Un.*Notepad” will match it (any string beginning with Un and ending in Notepad). The best approach for the average user is to include as much of the Window Title Text as possible to generalize the script. Click here for more information. If Title, Class, and Process are not specified the last window found from the preceding commands will be used. Win* commands remember the last window found … so there is no need to re-specify the Title or Class when a prior command already specifies the window to operate on. Specifying Title, Class, or Process returns the top most window with a match. Generally, once a window Title, Class, or Process has been specified in a script, the same Title, Class, or Process should not be specified for subsequent WIN* commands that operate on the same window. The syntax requires a space after the WIN* command and a comma between each variable being used. For example, {winwait ,,5000} {winwait ,,,winword.exe} {winwait “Document – Wordpad”} {winwait [title],[class],[timeout],[process]} {winwait letterhead,NetUIHWND,5000,winword.exe} {winwait letterhead,,5000,winword.exe} – wait up to 5 seconds for a window containing text “letterhead” in the title and with the process “winword.exe” to exist. You might use this command after a command that opens the document “letterhead” to wait for it to be opened. If the specified window is found within the timeout period the next command in the script will execute, otherwise the script will stop processing at that point. Back to Top

Question 6

ActionPad

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

The ActionPad provides an input context within which you can enter and trigger your Words and also act on any text you enter that is not a Word (see ActionText).

See video:

Question 7

ActionText

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

ActionText acts on selected text and on text entered in the ActionPad. ActionText serves as your entry point for services and information, much like the Windows Key, only more powerful.

See video:

ActionText lets you define multiple information sources for instant look ups (including enterprise databases).

Your default ActiveWords installation includes two Actions set up to use ActionText (Bing and DuckDuckGo). Just select any text from any context and press the ActiveWords Key. Select the information source you want and a search result is delivered instantly.

Now, open the ActionPad and enter text for something you are looking for. Press Enter. Select the information source you want and a search result is delivered instantly.

You can delete and add {actiontext} Action to meet your needs. If you only need one {actiontext} resource the search will be instantaneous.

Bing search is one example. The Action is: https://www.bing.com/search?q={actiontext}. You can use the {actiontext} command as the object of any lookup and the result will include selected text and ActionPad text you act on. The {actiontext} command can be used in multiple Actions to provide choices of lookup sources from a Pick List. For example:

If the text you trigger is a known Word the associated Action will be carried out, whether typed, selected, or entered in the ActionPad.

As always, ActiveWords gives you instant access to what you want the moment you think if it.

If the text you trigger is a known Word the associated Action will be carried out, whether typed, selected, or entered in the ActionPad.

As always, ActiveWords gives you instant access to what you want the moment you think if it.

Question 8

Activating Licenses

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

Activate/Deactivate Licenses

Save the License file attached to your Trial or Purchase email confirmation. Check your Junk/Spam folder if the email is not in your Inbox.

Install ActiveWords then click the “Activate License” button on the startup dialog.

Navigate to the saved License file, open it, then click the "Activate" button to enable your ActiveWords installation.

Licenses purchased from the "Buy" or "Renew" button on the "ActiveWords License" dialog automatically activate all installations for one year. For example, if you activated four installations with the same Trial License then purchased an ActiveWords Personal Annual License from the "Buy" button on the "ActiveWords License" dialog, all four installations will be automatically updated with the new annual license.The license file attached to your email confirmation is used to activate new installations by opening the file and then clicking the "Activate" button on the "ActiveWords License" dialog.

Licenses purchased directly from the "Buy" link on the ActiveWords Web site are activated by opening the license file and then clicking the "Activate" button on the "ActiveWords License" dialog.

Watch this video to activate a new ActiveWords installation:

Watch this video to deactivate an existing ActiveWords installation:

The license dialog changes when moving from a Trial License to a purchased Annual License.

Renewing Annual Licenses

All installations previously activated with a given purchased Annual License are automatically extended for an additional year when a purchase is completed by clicking the "Renew" button on the License dialog of any installation previously activated with that Annual License. Annual Licenses purchased directly from activewords.com will need to be manually activated.

Save your Trial or Annual License file to activate additional installations during the license period.

You can deactivate a license to move it to another Windows User on any PC.

Activate/Deactivate Licenses in the Enterprise

In addition to manually activating individual licenses as detailed above, Enterprise IT administrators can send links to users or execute links via network scripts to activate and deactivate existing ActiveWords installations for individual users. Open the license file using a text editor and use the license key and the product ID.

Link Syntax: activewords:license?action=activate&silent=[yes or no]&key=[license key]&item=[product ID]

The [license key] and [product ID] can be found by opening the license file (*.awlic) with a text editor.

Here is an example:

activewords:license?action=activate&silent=yes&key=caeeb53ca8a34bd3411d4526e89cd2f8&item=821

This link can also call a license file (for example at a network location) using this syntax:

activewords:license?action=activate&silent=yes&file=[path to license file]

Note that these links may also be used to deactivate a license for a given Windows User by replacing "action=activate" with "action=deactivate."

Available Activations at Zero

Contact support if additional activations are needed under an existing license. In some cases the best solution is to request all activations to be remotely deactivated so the full complement of activations under the license become available for re-activation.

Question 9

ActiveWords 4 Features and Benefits

Michael Tissington · Accepted Answer

Productivity for Professionals

ActiveWords software has been re-created from the ground up using the latest Windows tools and techniques, providing more reliable performance and a more powerful yet easy to use and contemporary interface.

ActiveWords is WORDS and ACTIONS.

Type or ink your Words at any time in any context and get what you want instantly. ActiveWords provides universal text expansion (beleive=believe) and much more. Enter “cnn” and go directly to www.cnn.com. Open files, folders, and programs by triggering a Word. Substitute pictures and other content, and more... Your Words are automatically removed from your context when they are triggered. You can even enter and trigger Words when there is no active cursor context.

ActiveWords is Unicode compliant, meaning ActiveWords supports your language. For example, you can substitute content in Serbian Cyrillic and over 100 other languages supported by Microsoft Windows.
You can easily locate, add, and edit your Words and Actions in a clean, contemporary user interface. Search is super powerful, allowing you to restrict search text by field and by Action type, making it very easy to quickly locate exactly what you are looking for.
You can drag’n drop almost any content or Windows objects to the floating Icon, instantly creating Words and Actions. Drag’n drop sections of documents and Web pages, URLs, files, folders, programs, you name it. See video:
Words that trigger when followed by a single delimiter can now include delimiters (do'nt=don't).
Floating Icon: Provides the user interface. Left-click to view and edit your Words and Actions. Right-click to add new records, set Options, and more. You can resize and position the Icon anywhere on the screen.
Text Monitor: Mirrors your keyboard entry and displays the Description of triggered Actions, providing assurance your intent is being carried out.
The Text Monitor can be positioned independent of the Floating Icon, either or both can be hidden.
Tags let you categorize Actions for easy organization and reference.
Password entry will not be visible in the Text Monitor for all programs and web sites that identify these fields according to conventional programming standards. You can rely on the Text Monitor to show you what is being entered and acted upon without worrying when entering passwords. (Some apps and web pages may not be compatible with this feature. Click here for more information.)
ActiveWords uses powerful date and time stamp functionality. You can embed time and date in numerous formats within both Substitute Text and Substitute Content Actions. See the documentation here.
Enterprise deployments have more robust tools for managing and editing Shared ActiveWords. You can directly open a Shared ActiveWords file for editing. When you exit, you can over write the file to its original location so it automatically becomes active for all users. Enterprise licensing is more advanced and easier to implement and renew.

Easy, clean, powerful.

Instant productivity.

Features:

Question 10

ActiveWords and Remote Access

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

ActiveWords Installed on the Remote Host is Supported.

This configuration is preferred as all ActiveWord Actions can be triggered from the local keyboard and carried out in the remote session; including substitutions, opening URLs, files, folders and programs, as well as executing scripts.

ActiveWords Installed on the Local Machine Only.

ActiveWord text and content substitutions delivered from the local computer to a remote session window are supported subject to clipboard security settings (see your network administrator and Citrix references below). The local executable supporting your remote session should not be in the "Auto Disable" list in ActiveWord Options. All non-substitution Actions triggered locally will be executed locally (Open URL, etc.). Note that Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) is supported in this configuration, but Windows 10 Remote Desktop App is not supported in this configuration.

Managing ActiveWords Installed on Both the Local Computer and Remote Host.

A local installation of ActiveWords may conflict with ActiveWords installed on a remote host. Several common remote access programs are listed by default in the Auto Disable tab of the Options dialog so that the local instance of ActiveWords will be ignored when a remote access window is active (avoiding any conflicts with the remote ActiveWords installation).

atmgr.exe - Cisco WebEx Client
g2mui.exe - Go2Meeting Client
mstsc.exe - Windows Remote Desktop Connection executable
RdClient.Windows.exe - Windows 10 Remote Desktop Universal App
TeamViewer.exe - TeamViewer
wfica32.exe - Citrix ICA Client

When ActiveWords is not installed on the remote host, the local remote host executable supporting the remote session should be removed from the above list to enable ActiveWord substitutions to the remote host.

CITRIX Technical References:

CITRIX Copy Paste Settings
CITRIX Adaptive Transport Settings

Question 11

ActiveWords and Windows Servers

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

IT administrators can install ActiveWords once on a Windows Server to make the software available to all server users.

To help administrators control licensing when installed on a server, ActiveWords will not by default automatically start when a user logs into their server account. The user or administrator can manually start ActiveWords, then check "Run ActiveWords at Windows Logon" in the Preferences tab of the Options dialog to set ActiveWords to start automatically at future logons. IT Administrators can also set auto-start on or off for a given user or groups of users by adding or removing this Registry entry: “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ActiveWords” - value_name:ActiveWords - Value data:[drive]:\Program Files (x86)\ActiveWords 4\ActiveWords.exe.

Administrators can over ride the default behavior and cause ActiveWords to "Run ActiveWords at Windows Logon" for all users by running "[drive]\Program Files (x86)\ActiveWords 4\New User Auto Start Enable.cmd" immediately after installing ActiveWords on a server and before launching ActiveWords. Note also "New User Auto Start Disable.cmd".

When ActiveWords is first started it will create a data file for the logged on user (\appdata\roaming\ActiveWords 4) and request license activation. See "Activate/Deactivate Licenses in the Enterprise" here for ways to automate license activation for multiple users.

Question 12

ActiveWords Installer Fails

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

If the installer fails to complete or shows an error, please submit a support ticket with information about the error message and attach the installer log files.

The installer log files can be found here: “C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp.” They will be named like this: “ActiveWords_4_###....###.log” with "###....###" being a date.

To access the AppData folder:

Windows 10: Open Windows Settings and search for "File Explorer Options," click the "View" tab, check the radio button next to "Show hidden files, folders, and drives," then click "OK".

Windows 7: Open the "Folder Options" Control Panel, click the "View" tab, check the radio button next to "Show hidden files, folders, and drives," then click "OK".

Question 13

ActiveWords Internal Commands

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

You can trigger Words that carry out internal commands such as showing the list dialog, adding Words and Actions, importing databases, and showing/hiding the floating icon.

Question 14

ActiveWords Sync

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

Sync your Words and Actions and they will always be available.

NOTE: You must have an account and install software to manage the cloud service you are using on each computer where you want your Words and Actions to sync. See download links at the bottom of this page.

See video:

FOR EACH ACTIVEWORDS INSTALLATION: Open the Options dialog from the Floating icon or ActiveWords System Tray Icon right click menu and select the "Sync" tab.

Check the radio button for your cloud service of choice. If you use a cloud service not listed, or if you are using a custom location for a listed service, click "Other" and browse to the top level local folder for that service. When you click "Apply" a folder named "ActiveWords Sync" will be placed inside the top level local folder of the service you have selected. Do not modify the name or contents of the "ActiveWords Sync" folder (setting Sync to "None" will remove the data file for that installation).

Sync should work with any cloud service that uses a local sync folder available through Windows Explorer (see notes below). OneDrive users may need to set the ActiveWords Sync folder to store contents locally.

Your ActiveWords data in the cloud will automatically update as you make changes. Changes are noted when you import, add, edit, or delete Words, Actions, and Tags.

When moving to another Internet connected device keep in mind that availability of changes made on the previously used device is a function of (1) time allowed for the data to update to the cloud on the previously used device and (2) the speed at which your local cloud folder is updated on the device used next.

ActiveWords Sync Requirements:

The cloud service of choice must be installed and running on each device before enabling ActiveWords Sync.
The location of the local top level cloud service folder may vary between devices but the cloud service account used must be the same for each device.
ActiveWords Sync requires a functioning Internet connection.

Notes:

Sync is designed to work on every computer, laptop, tablet or other device running Windows 7 or Windows 10.
Enabling ActiveWords Sync keeps the latest version of your ActiveWords database backed up in the cloud, even if you only use one device.
Sync is compatible with Box Sync, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. Other cloud services may be compatible. OneDrive and other cloud services may require you to manually set specific folders to contain data off-line. The ActiveWords Sync folder must be set to maintain its content off-line.
Sync requires each database to contain a unique Windows "machine_guid." This parameter identifies a specific Windows installation. Accordingly, Sync will not work properly if more than one computer provides an identical "machine_guid." This may happen if Windows installations have been cloned.

Download links for a few cloud services:

Dropbox
OneDrive for Windows 7 & 8 (built into Windows 10)
Box (need to set up account before downloading)
Google Drive
CITRIX Sharefile

Question 15

ActiveWords Sync Citrix ShareFile Setup

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

Set up ActiveWords Sync with CITRIX ShareFile

Log into your ShareFile account and add the empty folder “ActiveWords Sync” to “My Files & Folders.”

Then follow these instructions on each computer where you want to sync your ActiveWords:

Install ShareFile Sync for Windows (you must first set up a ShareFile account).
Follow the standard ActiveWords Sync instructions.
Select “Other” on the ActiveWords Sync options dialog.
Browse to and select this folder (default location): "C:\Users\[username]\ShareFile\My Files & Folders)" -

Click “Apply.”

Note that ShareFile is an enterprise solution and, as such, your file and folders permissions may be managed by your IT staff. If ActiveWords Sync set-up fails please consult your IT staff before contacting ActiveWord Systems, Inc

Question 16

ActiveWords Sync Microsoft OneDrive Setup

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

OneDrive for Windows 10 may require you to specify folders whose content should be kept locally (off-line). ActiveWords Sync folder contents must be kept locally.

Immediately after defining OneDrive as the ActiveWords Sync cloud service, right click on the OneDrive System Tray Icon and select "Settings."

Click the "Choose Folders" button.

If not already checked, check the box next to "ActiveWords Sync" and then click "OK."

Question 17

ActiveWords Terminology

Michael Tissington · Accepted Answer

ActiveWord - A Word-Action association.

Action - A behavior carried out when a Word is Triggered.

There are seven Types of Actions:

Substitute Text - plain text
Substitute Content - formatted text and images
Launch Program
Open Document
Open Folder
Open Web Page
Script

Word - A word, phrase, or text string associated with an Action.

Words can contain any characters available on the keyboard, including symbols and delimiters.

Trigger - A means of having a Word carry out an Action. These include:

Double Space
Any delimiter (space, comma, etc.)
A user defined ActiveWords Key (default is F8)
Pressing the Enter Key when an Action is selected in the List View, ActionPad, or InkPad.
Double clicking an Action selected in the List View.
Clicking an Action in the ActionPad list.
Clicking the GO button on the InkPad.

List View - The list of Words and Actions used to search, add, edit, and delete.

ActiveWords Icon - The icon that floats on the screen and appears in the System Tray when ActiveWords is running.

Text Monitor - The object on the screen that mirrors text entry and displays Action Descriptions when a Word is recognized or triggered.

ActionPad - The input field that appears on user demand where Words can be entered and triggered. (Useful when the user does not wish to enter a Word in their current context).

ActionText - A feature that acts on selected text and on text entered in the ActionPad. ActionText serves as your entry point for services and information, much like the Windows Key, only more powerful.

InkPad - The touch input area that appears on user demand where Words can be inked and triggered. Tap the Icon to open the InkPad on a touch screen.

Tag - a word or phrase used to categorize Actions. See this link for more information.

Tag View - The view showing Tags in the left column.

Pick List - A pop-up at the cursor location showing the Description of Actions associated with a Triggered Word when more than one Action is associated with the same Word. See this link for more information.

Addin - A set of Words and Actions with a focused purpose. Examples include Words and Actions for Outlook and for common English misspellings. See this link for current addins. Addins are free to use.

Question 18

Add Words and Actions Using Drag’n Drop and Copy/Paste

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

You can drag'n drop files, folders, and programs to the ActiveWords Icon to add Words and Actions. You can drag'n drop multiple files, folders, and programs at the same time to quickly add multiple Words and Actions. You can drag'n drop selected content from any program window to the ActiveWords Icon to create an Action. The type of Action created is controlled by pressing modifier keys when you drag'n drop. You can drag'n drop selected content from a window into an Action field to create Substitute Text and Substitute Content Actions. See Video:

Drag'n drop to the Icon*
Drag'n drop Selected Content**	No Modifier Key	Control
All Programs	Substitute Text	Substitute Content
Drag'n drop Browser Bookmark	No Modifier Key
Chrome	Open Web Page
Firefox	Open Web Page
Edge	Not Supported
Drag'n drop Browser Address Bar URL	No Modifier Key
Chrome	Open Web Page
Firefox	Open Web Page
Edge	Not Supported
Drag'n drop Selected Content (Mixed Text, Links, Images)**	No Modifier Key	Control
Chrome	Substitute Text	Substitute Content
Firefox	Substitute Text	Substitute Content
Edge	Substitute Text	Not Available
Word Processor/Other Programs	Substitute Text	Substitute Content
Drag'n drop Single Image from Web Page **	No Modifier Key	Control
Chrome	Substitute Content	Open Image Link
Firefox	Substitute Content	Open Image Link
Edge	Open Web Page	Open Web Page
Drag'n drop Files	No Modifier Key	Control
jpg	Substitute Content	Open File
jpeg	Substitute Content	Open File
gif	Substitute Content	Open File
bmp	Substitute Content	Open File
png	Substitute Content	Open File
Drag'n drop Files	No Modifier Key	Control	Control Shift
html	Substitute Text	Substitute Content	Open File
docx	Substitute Text	Substitute Content	Open File
rtf	Substitute Text	Substitute Content	Open File
txt	Substitute Text	Substitute Content	Open File
Other file types	Open File	Open File	Open File

* Some programs such as Excel support copy/paste into the Action Field of a Substitute Content Action but not drag'n drop of selected content.

* Edge and Internet Explorer Browsers do not support drag'n drop to create Substitute Content Actions. Use copy/paste into Substitute Content Action field from Edge.

** Drag'n drop of only linked text from a browser will create an Open Web Page Action.

** Formatted content from various programs may not be an exact match in the Substitute Content Action field as the source program may have "style" settings that cannot translate to formats supported by drag'n drop or copy/paste. In these cases, you can edit the contents of the Action field to get the desired format. Click here for more information.

** Content from Web pages with links, images, and multiple content may deliver different results depending on the Browser and the design of the content (what ends up in the Substitute Content Action field may not be what is seen on the source page). In these cases the Substitute Content Action field can be edited. Click here for more information.

Question 19

Adding Words and Actions

Michael Tissington · Accepted Answer

The key to leveraging ActiveWords is to add Words and Actions for:

All the text segments you type repeatedly such as your name and email address.
All the text and content you regularly use in your work such as legal terms and words of art particular to your profession.
All the Web sites, files, folders, and programs you frequently use.

The Words you associate with these Actions can be entered and triggered at any time, regardless of context, giving you spontaneous and instant access to exactly what I want, and, in the case of text and content substitutions, giving you assured accuracy while minimizing typing errors. You can enter Words from the physical keyboard, the virtual/touch keyboard, and from the built in Inkpad where you can ink/draw your Words.

Adding Words and Actions is very easy. See video:

Question 20

AutoCorrect On Steroids

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

ActiveWords makes it worthwhile to build your personal library of Actions that work universally, in every Windows context. Microsoft's AutoCorrect functions are rudimentary and limited to use in the basic Office applications Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, and Publisher. They don't work in Notes, Excel, Teams, or in any of the Office Universal Apps such as Mail and Calendar.

ActiveWords work everywhere while Microsoft AutoCorrect is limited to a few Office Applications.
ActiveWord Substitutions are virtually unlimited in size while Microsoft's plain text AutoCorrect entries can only be 255 characters.
You can easily find, organize, and edit your ActiveWords while Microsoft's AutoCorrect and AutoText functions are disorganized and very difficult to find and edit.
ActiveWords Substitute Content Actions include a full RTF editor and accept both RTF and HTML pasted from the Windows Clipboard, including images.
ActiveWords can open Web sites (all URLs), files, programs, and folders in addition to its extensive AutoCorrect functionality, greatly expanding power and usefulness.

Question 21

Backing Up Your ActiveWords Data

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

ActiveWords can automatically create a backup of your data and store it here: "C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\ActiveWords 4\Backups." This feature is turned on by default. To changed the frequency of automatic backups or turn them off, see the related control on the "Preferences" tab of the "Options" dialog.

The AppData folder is a special Windows folder that is not accessible without changing the default Windows Folder Options view preferences. The contents of this folder are automatically included in the default backup process used by most backup programs, including Windows 10 Backup. To set up Windows 10 backup go to: Settings>Update and Security>Backup. If you regularly backup your data, the AppData folder is likely be included and thus your ActiveWords data will be part of the larger backup.

You can manually create a backup of your ActiveWords data file as follows:

Right click on the ActiveWords Floating icon or System Tray icon and select "Options."
Select the "Preferences" tab.
Check the box next to "Show advanced tools and options."
Close the "Options" dialog.
Right click on the ActiveWords Floating icon or System Tray icon and select "Advanced>Backup."
A Browse dialog will appear to select the location where you want the backup stored. Select the desired folder location and click "Save."

Question 22

Buying/Renewing an ActiveWords License

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

If you receive a message that your email address has already been used when registering for a free annual license, send a request to support@activewords.com to clear your email address.

Purchase license(s) from the "Buy" / "Renew" button on the "License" dialog available by right clicking the ActiveWords Icon. The button will say "Buy" if you are running a Trial and will say "Renew" if you are running with an annual license.

You will activate the first Annual License you purchase. Purchasing a subsequent Annual License using the "Renew" button on the "License" dialog will automatically extend the expiration of all currently activated ActiveWords installations as soon as a purchase is completed. You will not have to manually re-activate existing licenses. You can "Renew" at any time. If you renew within the current license period your license will be extended to one year from the expiration of the current license period. If you renew after your prior license has expired your new license will be for one year from the date of purchase.

Question 23

Clipboard Issues

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

ActiveWords, by default, uses the Windows Clipboard to paste Substitute Text Actions of 40 characters or greater to speed delivery of larger Substitutions. Substitute Content Actions are always delivered through the Windows Clipboard regardless of size.

Controls to help manage the Windows Clipboard are included in Advanced Options. To use these controls, check "Show advanced tools and options" on the "Preferences" tab of the Options dialog. Next, click on the "Advanced" tab that appears in the Options dialog."

ActiveWords includes an Advanced Option to set the "Minimum length to paste substitutions." Substitute Text Actions less than the number of characters set in this control will be delivered by simulating keystrokes and avoid using the Windows Clipboard. Simulating keystrokes can be slow. Using the Windows Clipboard for substitutions replaces clipboard contents when a Substitute Action is triggered.

ActiveWords includes an Advanced Option to "Restore Clipboard after Substitutions." This control restores the clipboard contents that existed immediately prior to triggering a Substitute Action. With this turned on, however, unavoidable timing issue may occasionally result in prior clipboard contents being substituted instead of the intended Substitute Action. Uncheck this control if you want to avoid the chance prior clipboard contents might be delivered when you trigger a Substitution Action.

Question 24

Contact us with suggestions and questions.

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

We welcome your input! If you have questions not addressed on the Support page you can Contact our Support team

If you have a technical issue please be sure to describe your issue in detail so we can reproduce it, attach your most recent log file, and detail your version of Windows .

Your most recent log file can be found in the ActiveWords user data folder: "C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\ActiveWords 4\Logs\."

To access the Logs folder:

Copy this path: %appdata%\ActiveWords 4\Logs
Press "Win-r"
Press "Ctrl-v" then "Enter"
Drag the most recent "ActiveWords.log" file to the support ticket.

Copy this path: %appdata%\ActiveWords 4\Logs
Press "Win-r"
Press "Ctrl-v" then "Enter"
Drag the most recent "ActiveWords.log" file to the support ticket.

Question 25

Custom Triggers - Advanced Option

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer

Custom Triggers allows you to expand the number of Triggers beyond Double Space, Any Delimiter, and None. A useful example of this functionality can be found in the free “currency” Addin.

See the Custom Triggers video:

To manage custom triggers, open the "Preferences" tab of the "Options" dialog and check "Show advanced tools and options." This will enable the "Triggers" tab in "Options." Once defined, custom triggers will appear in the "Trigger" drop down menu when you add and edit a Word.

You can define some "regular expressions" and individual keys as triggers. You can define more than one unique character as a trigger. For example, the Trigger "zx" will make both "z" and "x" a trigger, but not “zx”.

Check the "Include" box if you want to include the trigger in the result of a Substitution Action. All other Action types will always exclude the trigger.

The trigger "\d" will make any numeric key a trigger in any language. Try the "currency.awdb" Addin to see how it works.

To make backslash a trigger, use a double backslash as in "\".

To delete a custom Trigger, first remove the Trigger from all associated Words.

Question 26

Date and Time Stamps

Pete Weldon · Accepted Answer