Programming with Macro Maker

Macro Maker can be launched from a desktop shortcut, from the X-keys directory in your Programs folder, or from the programming switch on your X-keys.


You can choose which X–keys device to create a layout for if you have more than one X–keys on your system.


Select a key or control by clicking on it.


Select the type of action you wish to program.

For more information on the Copy/Clip selection, click here.


The “Create/Edit Macro” option opens a new window.

Enter a comment or name for your macro

Click the “Start” button

Type your key combination or series of keystrokes

To end recording of the macro, click the “Stop” button

Click the “OK” button

When you are finished programming, select the “Save” in the file menu or click the Save icon.

If this is the first time you are using Macro Maker, you should also select “Assign to Device” in the File menu before closing Macro Maker.

X-keys Legend Maker

Select “Start Legend Maker” from the Macro Maker’s Options Menu.


Legend Maker will display the text in the Captions field for each key.

Text on the legends is easily edited. Font, size, color, and background color are selectable. Hold Shift while clicking to select multiple keys to edit simultaneously.

Icons or BMP images are easily inserted over the text by selecting the Load Image icon (or selecting Load Image from the Image Menu). We have provided some sample images or users may create their own with any image editing software. Legend Maker accepts a 45 x 45 pixel image in most common formats.

Once the layout is ready, it may be saved for future editing or printed. Slice up your print out, slip the legends under our clear key caps, and your X-keys is ready for action.

Operating the X-keys with Macro Manager
Macro Manager can be launched from the X-keys directory in your Programs folder. Macro Manager resides in the Windows Task Bar and as long as it is running (icon visible in task bar) when Windows is closed, it will automatically be launched when Windows starts.

If you selected “Assign to Device” in Macro Maker, the layout file you created will appear in Macro Manager’s Associated Layout window.


If no layout file appears, open the File menu, select “Load Layout” and select a layout (.xk2) file.

By default, layout files are saved in a subdirectory of the Macro Works folder named “Macro Maker Files”

Macro Maker's Copy/Clip Feature
On the surface, it looks and acts like a conventional Windows Copy key (Ctrl+C), but when combined with Macro Maker's “Clip”&“Protected Clip” keys it becomes a powerful memorization tool. The Copy/Clip function uses Windows Clipboard files to copy and paste multiple selections in any application which supports Windows Copy & Paste.

To store a selection, hold the Copy key down and press an X-keys “Clip” key. The selection will remain stored in the Clip key until it is overwritten by the same procedure. Any number of Clip keys can be assigned to an X-keys.

Please note that not all Windows compatible applications fully support the Windows Copy & Paste feature and results in programs other than Microsoft applications can be unpredictable.

Macro Maker Clip keys store selections in conjunction with the Copy function. To paste the contents of a Clip key, simply press it.

Protected Clip keys will not be overwritten without a permission prompt. Paste the contents of a protected Clip key by pressing it.