Hi Eddie,

AutoHotkey can probably do what you want to do. I am not familiar with the
Sierra interface, although I have successfully used AHK to automate
workflows in a variety of applications.

Here's an example of a subroutine with key commands that copy the contents
of a CONTENTdm text input box:
https://github.com/metaweidner/UHDL_SubjectTopical_CDM/blob/master/UHDL_SubjectTopical_CDM.ahk#L295-303

And check to see if there is was actually any text on the clipboard as a
result:
https://github.com/metaweidner/UHDL_SubjectTopical_CDM/blob/master/UHDL_SubjectTopical_CDM.ahk#L152-158

I'd be happy to pass along more examples.

Best,

Andrew Weidner
[log in to unmask]



On Tue, May 5, 2015 at 5:00 PM, Karl Holten <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> This doesn't involve AutoHotkey, but maybe it would be easier to use SQL
> to pull that data from the Sierra database rather than screen scraping from
> the Sierra application. You wouldn't need to worry about where stuff
> displays in the interface, just where its stored on the backend. This
> solution would probably be cleaner to maintain as well.
>
> Excel has ways to pull in data from external sources like SQL databases,
> it looks like Microsoft Publisher does too. I can't speak to how easy it
> would be to set that up, but hopefully it would give you a start:
>
> https://support.office.com/en-ie/article/Import-data-into-Office-Publisher--Visio-or-Word-by-using-the-Data-Connection-Wizard-65295a62-8da3-49bc-8dd8-1f77d0a05127
>
> Anyway, that's my 2 cents on an alternative tack you might want to try.
>
> Hope that helps,
> Karl Holten
> Systems Integration Specialist
> SWITCH Inc
> 414-382-6711
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Eddie Clem
> Sent: Monday, May 4, 2015 1:50 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [CODE4LIB] Help with Auto Hot Key
>
> Hi there! I'm hoping someone here is a guru at AutoHotKey! :)
>
>
>
> We have a clerk that pays our invoices in Sierra. She will write the bib
> number on a sticky note, as well as the list price and the locations (that
> each copy will go to). I want to have Sierra copy the bib number, list
> price, locations, and order record notes onto a receipt and then this clerk
> would put this receipt with the first copy of the material, rather than
> hand write on sticky notes all day! Since I had looked, and couldn't find a
> way to do this easily from Sierra, I had another brilliant idea that we
> could have Autohotkey copy the fields I want into a template (say, in
> Publisher) and have the bib number turned into a barcode, and list the
> other fields that we want that travel around the tech services department.
> This barcoded bib number would be used by catalogers to enter the bib
> number in the 949 for overlay in Connexion, and then again by our barcoding
> clerk to search by bib number in Sierra. At this point, I'm thinking that
> Autohotkey is my best bet.
>
>
>
> Here is my prototype of what the "routing slip" would look like when it's
> done. The "Thickety 2" is a note in the order record put in by our
> selectors for our catalogers to add that series to the bib record. The
> 978... is just a placeholder for where the list price will go once we get
> that field added to our order records:
>
>
>
> [cid:[log in to unmask]]
>
>
>
> Here is the corresponding order record. Part of my problem for Autohotkey
> is that not all order records will contain a note (in field z) and the
> locations may be different (fewer or more) on the LOCATIONS line. I have to
> include the "multi" line, because if it's just our Main Library that's
> receiving the item, then the LOCATIONS at the bottom don't show up at
> all...just the LOCATION fixed field (under ACQ TYPE).
>
>
>
> [cid:[log in to unmask]]
>
>
>
> Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
>
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Eddie
>
>
> Eddie Clem, MLS
> Cataloging Librarian
> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> | www.KHCPL.org<
> http://www.khcpl.org/>
>
> Kokomo-Howard County Public Library
> Collection Management Department
> 305 East Mulberry Street
> Kokomo, IN 46901
> 765.626.0853|765.450.6290 (fax)
>