| iTool User's Guide: Working with Macros |

## What Are Macros?

In the context of the iTools, a macro is a collection of operations and property values that can be applied to an existing visualization or visualizations. There are two kinds of macros, depending on what you have selected when you start recording. For more information, see Macro Type Based on Recording Selection.

Macros are not linked to the objects or visualizations to which they are applied. When you run a macro, the operations or property settings apply to the objects currently selected. (The macro system does include functionality to change selections and tools during the execution of a macro. For more information, see Making Selection and Tool Changes.) This means that property settings can be applied to multiple visualization types, unlike property settings in styles.

Note Property settings in macros apply to the selection, but are not tied to visualization type, whereas in styles they are tied to visualization type and might or might not apply to selection.

The following figure shows part of the display of the Macro Editor, covered in detail in Using the Macro Editor:

Figure 8-1: A Macro in the iTools Macro Editor

Figure 8-1: A Macro in the iTools Macro Editor

This figure shows an example macro called New Macro, composed of several operations and property settings. Operations in this macro change the selection and apply the smooth operation. Property settings change the color and minor ticks properties.

Macro information is stored in one or more macro files located on your system. Macros are stored in IDL SAVE files. Macros are stored in a subdirectory of the user's `.idl` directory. When you create a new macro within an iTool, it will automatically be saved in the specified location.

Note Macro information is never stored along with an iTool.

IDL Online Help (March 01, 2006)