Text Strings, Keymaps, and Macros, Oh My:

Tips and Customizations for Efficient Cataloging in

ConnexionBy Mary Aycock

University of Missouri--Columbia

Connexion ToolsNumber of tools to save the cataloger keystrokes and time

Why invest time to save keystrokes?

Greater productivityLess tedious work

Less errors

Cost-benefit analysis taking into account

How many records require editingHow extensive the edits areComplexity of the task

More

Text Strings

Constant Data

Macros

Level of Complexity

Least

Text StringsOften easier to use and create than

constant data

Use when you just need to insert consistent data in record (949s, etc.)

Can assign to: User tool, keyboard shortcuts

Type text strings as you would normally type fields, etc.

Example: 949 strings

Constant DataUnlike text strings, can code fixed fields

Considered records; can save to online or local file

CAUTION: Editing constant data vs. applying

Can derive from a bib record

Can assign from default, assign by name or from list

Example: ETD brief records

MacrosConnexion comes equipped with built-in

set of macros.

Similar to other macro programs

Can use “Record” option to program macros and then learn about the coding by examining the macro

Cannot record mouse movements

Written in OCLC macro language (OML): a modified form of Basic

Macros Galore, Built-In

Built in macros of general interest

Add & Edit 007

Add 33x (RDA related)

Insert Heading

Macros Galore, External

External macros of general interest

Make830 (takes an existing 440 & makes into a 490/830 combination): From Walter Nickeson's site

Provider Neutral macro: From PCC Site

CursorJump macro (for jumping to a particular character in a field): From Walt Nickson's site

CAUTION: External: create a new workbook with these

Macro Demonstration

Demonstration

Recording a macro Example of macro code Grabbing a macro

Resources for Macros Program for Cooperative Cataloging:

http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/macros.html

OCLC macros: http://www.oclc.org/connexion/support/macros.htm

Walt Nickeson’s Macros: http://docushare.lib.rochester.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-2556

Better Living through Macros by Joel Hahn: http://www.hahnlibrary.net/libraries/oml/index.html

Joel Hahn's OML for the Complete Beginner: http://www.hahnlibrary.net/libraries/oml/lessons/index.html

KeymapsCan assign keyboard equivalents (shortcut keys) to menu items, macros, characters (such as diacritics), or text strings

Keymap optionsOrganizer: Work with keymap files

(advanced)

Reset: buttons to original settings•List All: List all the user-defined functions•Unassign: unassign a particular keymap (yours or default)•Assign: to assign a shortcut key

User tools Figures of Numbers Tools → User Tools → Assign

Toolbar CustomizationsTools →

Toolbar Editor

Then drag and drop

To remove from toolbar: drag and drop back into toolbar editor

Further Toolbar Customizations

To move your icons around: Press Alt-click with cursor

Can display on 2 lines (click on the arrow next to the toolbar)

To put an extra divider: Find separator in toolbar editor window (control-S) and drag and drop

To increase button size: Tools > Options and then Toolbar (must then close & reopen client)

View > Toolbars to see all the toolbars

ResourcesConnexion training:

http://www.oclc.org/support/training/connexion/

Connexion tutorials: http://www.oclc.org/support/training/connexion/client/tutorial/default.htm

Connexion documentation: http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/client/basics/options/

Questions or Comments?

Contact information:

Mary Aycock

aycockm@missouri.edu