The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2021 - 37

RR
Send {Right}
This command presses the
Right arrow key to move
the cursor one character to
the right and deselect the
previous character.

Return
This signifies the end of the
script. When all the actions
between the hotkey and
the Return line have been
executed, the script will stop,
and any lines in the script
file below the Return line will
not be executed as part of
this hotkey.

You don't have to
be a programmer to
automate repetitive
computer tasks.
Save time and work
more efficiently by
learning the basics
of AutoHotkey.
I use this script to quickly
change the case of the first
letter of any word my cursor
is resting on. Whenever
I'm editing a translation
and see that a word needs

Figure 4 Sample Hotkey Script
edit. As simple as this sounds,

a new script file is to add

character, making scripts

it's a huge time saver.

the new lines to the existing

program-sensitive, and

hotstring script and save and

sending mouse clicks, but I

Creating a Hotkey Script

reload it. In other words, you

hope this brief introduction

To create a hotkey script,

can combine several hotkeys

follow the same steps

will pique your curiosity

and hotstrings into a single

and inspire you to learn

script file, or you can create

more. For complete

separate script files.

information on all the

you used to create a
hotstring script:
1.	 Right-click in your folder.
2.	 Select New-AutoHotkey
Script.

There's a lot more to learn

extensive reference section

about AutoHotkey, such as

on the AutoHotkey website:

4.	 Right-click on the script

triggering hotstrings

www.autohotkey.com/docs/

without an ending

AutoHotkey.htm.

file and select Edit with
Notepad++.
5.	 Enter your script in
Notepad++.
6.	 Save the file.

change, instead of manually

7.	 Load it by double-clicking

of the word, deleting the
lowercase letter, and typing
in the uppercase one, or

the name of the script.
(See Figure 4.)
Once you've done this, go to

vice versa, all I need to do

Word or your CAT tool, place

is press Alt+X. Sometimes

your cursor in the middle of

I'll keep my right hand on

any word, press Alt+X, and

the mouse to click anywhere

watch the initial letter of that

on the appropriate word

word change case.

and use my left hand to press
Alt+X to quickly make the
www.ata-chronicle.online

please check out the

3.	 Name your script file.

to have an initial case
going to the beginning

concepts discussed here,

Final Words

Another way you could
do this instead of creating

Nora Díaz has a BA in English-language
teaching and translation. She is a full-time
English>Spanish translator and translation team
leader. She works for clients around the world
translating, editing, and proofreading content
on a wide variety of topics, including health care, legal,
technical, and general texts. She leads linguistic teams,
including translators, editors, and proofreaders, from Mexico,
South America, and Spain working on large projects. Her
interest in productivity has led to a constant exploration of
technology to boost productivity, such as computer-assisted
translation tools, speech recognition, and custom macros.
In her blog, Nora Díaz on Translation, Teaching and Other
Stuff, she shares what she has learned with translators from
around the globe. nora.diaz@clp.com.mx.
American Translators Association

37
http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/AutoHotkey.htm http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/AutoHotkey.htm http://www.ata-chronicle.online
The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2021

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