[Juho's AutoHotkey Tutorial #2 Hotkeys] Part 10 - Menu Command To Replace Hotkeys

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a menu command in AutoHotkey to help manage your hotkeys. If you have numerous hotkeys that are hard to remember, this method allows you to assign one hotkey to bring up a menu that links to your files, folders, programs, and other AutoHotkey scripts. This can simplify your workflow and enhance productivity.

Step 1: Set Up Your AutoHotkey Script

To begin, you need to create or edit an AutoHotkey script where you will define your menu and hotkeys.

1. Open AutoHotkey on your computer.
2. Create a new script by right-clicking on your desktop or in any folder.
3. Select New > AutoHotkey Script.
4. Name your script (e.g., MyHotkeys.ahk).
5. Right-click the script and choose Edit Script to open it in a text editor.

Step 2: Define the Hotkey for the Menu

Next, you will assign a hotkey that will activate your menu.

1. Choose a hotkey combination (e.g., ^m for Ctrl + M).
2. Add the following code to your script:

^m::
    Menu, MyMenu, Add, Open File, OpenFile
    Menu, MyMenu, Add, Open Folder, OpenFolder
    Menu, MyMenu, Add, Run Script, RunScript
    Menu, MyMenu, Show
return

• Explanation of the code:
  • ^m:: defines the hotkey (Ctrl + M).
  • Each Menu, MyMenu, Add line adds an item to the menu.
  • Show displays the menu when the hotkey is pressed.

Step 3: Create Functions for Menu Items

You need to define what each menu item will do when selected.

1. Below the menu code, add functions corresponding to each menu action:

OpenFile:
    Run, C:\Path\To\Your\File.txt  ; Adjust the path to your file
return

OpenFolder:
    Run, C:\Path\To\Your\Folder  ; Adjust the path to your folder
return

RunScript:
    Run, C:\Path\To\Your\Script.ahk  ; Adjust the path to your script
return

• Customize the paths by replacing C:\Path\To\Your\File.txt with the actual path to your file, folder, or script.

Step 4: Save and Run Your Script

After defining your hotkey and menu actions, it’s time to save and test your script.

1. Save your changes in the text editor.
2. Double-click the script file to run it.
3. Press your assigned hotkey (Ctrl + M) to see if the menu appears with the options you set.

Step 5: Test and Adjust

Once your script is running, test each menu item to ensure they work as intended.

1. Click on each item in the menu.
2. If an item doesn’t work, double-check the file paths in the script.
3. Adjust the menu items or add new ones as needed by following similar steps.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have successfully created a menu in AutoHotkey that replaces multiple hotkeys with a single command. This functionality can greatly enhance your efficiency by keeping your workspace organized. As a next step, consider exploring submenus or additional hotkeys for other frequently used items. For more advanced AutoHotkey features, check out the additional tutorials linked in the video description.